The relationship between the Leicester-based ISF Group, one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of coatings, and Italian coatings giant Sirca, continues to go from strength to strength, with strong sales reported, and the development of new polyurethane products that require no air-fed mask in their application.
Italian polyurethanes have been considered for years to be some of the best available, and Sirca’s product range would seem to support this view. Available in a wide range of systems in both clear and pigmented products, they include the high-gloss, wet-look coatings currently popular in the kitchen and shopfitting markets.
The new polyurethanes meet the most stringent of testing requirements. However, as with most hazardous substances, the toxicity of bi-component polyurethane products can present significant health hazards to those working in its application. As such, a filter appropriate to the substance is required.
Of course, some filters are more difficult to work with than others, and it is in this area that the ISF Group, in partnership with Sirca, has made a breakthrough.
Angelo Arcidiacono, Sirca’s technical director, notes that bi-component polyurethane products are no more dangerous than urea ones. This is because no free monomer is emitted once the drying and polymerisation processes are complete – while urea products are likely to emit formaldehyde, both during application and in the long-term.
“It is fundamental to choose the appropriate type of filter based on the contaminant agent from which it is necessary to be protected,” says Angelo. “The most suitable filter for applications of polyurethane products with isocyanate hardeners is the A1B1E1K1 [multi-purpose] type, with full or partial face mask – no air-fed mask is needed.”
Established in 1898, ISF has remained at the forefront of technology in a wide array of markets including wood, metal and plastic. The company’s venture with Sirca has helped it to strengthen its position in the wood-finishing market for both interior and exterior applications.
ISF commercial director Mark Iliffe says: “We were aware of the high-quality products that Sirca offered us, but are quite surprised by the way sales have taken off.”
Established in 1973, Sirca has built a significant position in the wood coatings market.
“ISF have an excellent pedigree in wood-finishing coatings,” continues Mark, “but the sheer size of the Italian giant and its wealth of knowledge in the wood coatings industry made it a no-brainer for us – all of a sudden we had a team of 20 chemists and technical support teams to support our venture here in the UK.”
In addition to its vast technical knowledge, ISF now benefits from Sirca’s impressive research and development centre. This gives the ISF sales team the ability to pay visits with their clients to the company’s base just outside Venice.
The new development centre is equipped with all the application and drying machines necessary to replicate industrial coating work cycles. This way, technicians and clients can assess the features and benefits of the products under real working conditions, and from this assessment make the best solutions for them. Once back in the UK, ISF has a full on-site technical service team which can fully support the development of new products.
Sirca also offers a full analytical laboratory. With over 20% of its workforce in the technical department, Sirca’s technicians, chemists and analytical testers work in a 2000 sq m laboratory to satisfy daily customer needs.
ISF is now confident that it has every market sector covered, and, thanks to its rapid delivery service, can be considered a one-stop supplier, setting new standards in high-quality water-based, UV and polyurethane coatings.
