High-performance coatings at Schneider Electric IntenCity

In 2020, Schneider Electric inaugurated its new innovation buildings in Grenoble. The group called on Groupe-6, an architectural agency, to lead the project. The construction, made possible by a close collaboration between different industrial groups, is part of a sustainable and energy efficient approach. Beckers, the number one supplier of coil coatings, was involved in this project to provide innovative coating solutions.

Schneider Electric’s dedicated Innovation department has an approximate area of 40,000 square meters. The building is covered with a precious skin of goldcoloured anodized aluminium which highlights the prestige and excellence of the premises it houses. The structure, which is designed by Groupe-6, is ambitious and exemplary and is considered a global reference regarding performance. The main goal of the project was to ensure durability and energy efficiency.

Solution offered

At the beginning of the project, ELVAL COLOUR positioned itself on the market with a French facade contractor. Certain that it was possible to elaborate the project in coil coating, ELVAL alongside with Beckers, met Group 6 to introduce them all advantages that the coil coating technology can offer in term of aspect and durability. Even though the anodized aluminum remains superior in term of durability compared to coil coatings, a 4-layer PVDF chemistry was the right alternative to respect the location and specifications of the building.

Anodised aluminium is difficult to colormatch because there is no flop (the colour and the gloss applied on the surface does not vary depending on the angle of vision). Due to this complexity, several samples were produced by Beckers.

Beckers turned to its Industrial Coatings unit to elaborate the chosen colour for spray application. This allowed Beckers to present a scale-model of the project in the form of a small construction on-site, creating a realistic vision of the aesthetic rendering in natural light in its final environment, without having to run a coil coating line trial. Following this prototyping, we were able to modify the colour of the selected proposal to fit the requirements of the architects and deliver the paint to ELVAL COLOUR.

Product features

Beckers supplied the paint system, a 4-layer PVDF system, defined in accordance with the conditions and requirements of the manufacturer. Beckry®Fluor is a PVDF coating comprising a minimum resin content of 70% PVDF resin and 30% acrylic resin. It possesses exceptional weathering properties such as a UV resistance level 4, making it suitable for use in the most challenging conditions.

Beckry®Fluor has proven its durability over time, undergoing various exposure tests over a span of 30 years and enduring extreme environments.

The use of Beckry®Fluor will help to attain long durability and especially resistance to colour change, with durable protection to withstand the toughest indoor and outdoor conditions and many qualities required for high-end products.

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