Sustainability you can trust

At a time when sustainability is not an option but a necessity, the choice of building materials plays a crucial role. Dr. Peter Barker, Manager of New Product Development at Tata Steel, emphasizes the importance of long-term performance of the building envelope to achieve an overall reduction in CO2 emissions. And this is exactly where Colorcoat HPS200 Ultra® comes in.

With approximately 40% of global CO2 emissions coming from the construction industry, it is clear that architects and designers face a significant challenge. Product sustainability is crucial in this regard. While we hope buildings will last at least 40 years, practice can often turn out differently due to the influence of location, use and the materials chosen. Imagine choosing a steel cladding system that begins to degrade after only 10 years. The resources, costs and carbon emissions associated with repairs or replacement are significant. Instead, you can choose high-quality, sustainable solutions such as Colorcoat HPS200 Ultra® and thereby contribute to the development of sustainable buildings for the future.

Pretreated steel 

Pretreated steel has made inroads in recent years, and for good reason. Not only does it offer aesthetic benefits, but it is also easy to maintain and extremely resistant to corrosion throughout a building's life cycle. But not every pretreated steel is created equal.

The top layer is crucial

The top layer of the pretreated steel plays a major role in its durability. It typically ranges from a thickness of 25 to 200 microns. By comparison, the paint on your car is about 120 microns, but buildings should last many decades longer. This is especially important when you want to install renewable energy systems such as photovoltaic panels. The top coat must be robust enough to support the life of the building and protect it from weathering. And then there is the metal overlay. Traditionally, 100% zinc, known as hot-dip galvanized steel (HDG), is often used, which provides good corrosion protection. However, this HDG coating can make the cutting edges of the steel vulnerable to higher corrosion rates. A more advanced option is to use an alloy metal coating, such as a mix of zinc and aluminum. This provides a combination of increased barrier protection and sacrificial corrosion protection.

Colorcoat HPS200 Ultra® takes this further by combining a 200 micron topcoat with Galvalloy® metallic coating, an innovative blend of 95% zinc and 5% aluminum. This combination provides exceptional durability even in the most demanding and aggressive environments.

It's all about the layers 

Pretreated steel is much more than just a protective coating; it is a carefully constructed structure of multiple layers, including paint, primers and pretreatments. Each of these layers plays a crucial role in protecting the steel from external influences, such as corrosion and UV radiation. The quality, thickness and consistency of these layers ultimately determine how well the steel resists these factors. UV rays, for example, are particularly damaging to paint layers because they are absorbed directly and can affect the color and luster of the steel. 

European standards, such as EN 10169, have developed specific ratings to assess the performance of pretreated steel in terms of corrosion and UV resistance. Corrosion resistance is rated on a scale from RC1 to RC5+, with RC5+ being the highest rating. To achieve RC5+, the pretreated steel must be subjected to extensive natural weathering tests. Samples must spend a minimum of four years in an extreme coastal location, certified as a C5 environment and must resist blistering, surface damage and peeling to less than 2 mm to achieve the RC5+ rating. Colorcoat HPS200 Ultra® passes these tests with flying colors and has proven itself in some of the world's most challenging environments, including the Middle East, South America and the Far East. The product exceeds the requirements of Ruv4 and RC5+ according to EN 10169:2022, demonstrating excellent color and gloss retention, as well as high corrosion resistance.

Guaranteed performance 

In addition to a product's composition and certifications, warranties are an important measure of the durability and reliability of materials. A long warranty period often indicates manufacturer confidence in the product's performance. For example, Tata Steel offers a Confidex® warranty of up to 40 years on Colorcoat HPS200 Ultra® for industrial and commercial buildings. This warranty is simple and clear, with no complicated conditions, and even covers use in coastal areas. Moreover, the warranty remains valid in the event of a property transfer, which is reassuring for owners and investors.

However, Colorcoat HPS200 Ultra® is not only suitable for outdoor use. The product also performs excellently in demanding internal environments. This is supported by additional certifications, such as CPI5, which demonstrates the product's excellent barrier properties. In addition, the steel has been independently tested for volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions according to EN ISO 16000-9, achieving an A+ rating. The product is also BBA certified, which recognizes that the Colorcoat HPS200 Ultra® coating and metal treatment protects the steel substrate from corrosion for more than 40 years in normal industrial, urban, suburban and rural environments.