TFT Epoxies (UK) Limited -- News

• 2006 MARCH
  TFT product featured in Magazine Case History, "A New Face on an Old Problem" by O. P. Williams, First Hydro Company, Wales, UK; JPCL Magazine, March 2006, pp.16-18.  The case history describes a 4-year search for the right product to repair Stwlan Dam in North Wales.  (See excerpts from the article below.)

  One product seemed to be too good to be true. The weather was rough and the water level was high when it was applied, with application by roller continuing below the cold waves. “No problem,” said the applicator. “No way!” retorted Bryn Williams, First Hydro’s assistant civil engineer. When he returned the next day with company civil engineer Owen P. Williams, Bryn expected to see the whole panel washed off, certainly where applied under water. But the trial was intact, and showed no sign of tidemark at all – three years later, it still doesn’t .
  
  In conjunction with no waste and no visual contamination of the lake water on first submergence, First Hydro considered the epoxy to clearly be the best performer. Despite its higher unit cost, it was also evaluated to be the best overall value. Accordingly, the product was specified for all the remaining joints on the dam.

  What was this miraculous product?  BIO-GARD 257 UK created by TFT as a Heavy-Duty "Winterized" Moisture-Tolerant Anticorrosive Coating.  For a PDF copy of the full JPCL magazine article, click here.

• 2005 DECEMBER
  Resin shortages cause prices to skyrocket in the United States!  Increasing supply tightness and the continued interruption of raw materials production caused by Gulf of Mexico Hurricanes Rita and Katrina have triggered price increases in the resin manufacturing marketplace.  Although it ultimately spared many upstream refineries southwest of Houston, Texas, Rita's landfall near the Texas/Louisiana border struck in the heart of North American resin production.  Michael Greenberg, CEO of The Plastics Exchange, stated In his October 12th market update that "these back-to-back storms of the century wreaked havoc on the plastics industry".  Supply disruptions and logistics problems have created serious resin shortages causing prices to skyrocket throughout the supply chain.
  
  With natural gas a major component in the production of HDPE, and a high demand for it anticipated during the home-heating season, there does not appear to be any relief in the near future.  The consistent message from resin companies and container manufacturers is that regardless of price, the resin supply may not be sufficient to meet the needs of customers.
  
  TFT has been diligent in obtaining supplies of resins and other raw materials to take care of our production requirements.  However, sometimes necessary materials are just not "out there" for procurement!  We are fortunate in having excellent relationships with our major suppliers, and they have provided solid commitments to meet our needs during the foreseeable future.  We thank you in advance for your patience and understanding during this very volatile time. 

• 2005 AUGUST
  In the United States, The University of Massachusetts reports on a 4-year successful stop leak repair of the pool liner of their Lowell Research Reactor (UMLRR) utilizing BIO-DUR 561.  For a copy of the complete article, click here.  (See also TFT Case History 53)

• 2005 JULY
  BIO-DUR 560 is featured in Exelon's "Inside Nuclear" Magazine in a front page article about the underwater repainting of a nuclear spent fuel pool.   For a copy of the complete article, click here.  (See also TFT Case History 51).

• 2005 JUNE
  TFT develops SANI-SEAL 370, a high performance, solvent-free sanitary sealer especially for polished concrete.  It fills voids and encapsulates the entire surface with a tough, high-strength epoxy that is resistant to all common foodstuffs and cleaning agents. (For more information, click here.)

• 2004 NOVEMBER
  Nuclear dive specialist, Underwater Construction Corporation, successfully completes a major "mock-up" under water test application of TFT's BIO-DUR 560 on the lining of a spent fuel pool.  Using plural component, pressure roller applicators, the resulting productivity and film quality of BIO-DUR 560 were far superior to previously tested competitive materials.  Watch this space for news of the full-scale project completion in early 2005.

• 2004 AUGUST
  First major phase of a concrete dam sealing project is completed using BIO-GARD 257 UK. Product was applied by roller around the clock as the water level fell about 80 feet during the day and rose again at night.  Surfaces were usually wet, and the work continued during rainy weather without interruption.  (See Case History 50 for more details.)

• 2004 MAY
  Wisconsin Hospital uses BIO-FLOR 182 Seamless Epoxy Vinyl Color Chip System to encapsulate over 3,000 square feet of Vinyl Asbestos Tile (VAT).  After a final stripping by hospital janitorial staff, a contractor applied the BIO-FLOR 182 flooring system in a single weekend.  Rapid curing and the absence of odor made this system particularly attractive to hospital management.  (See Case History 48 for more details.)

• 2004 APRIL
  BIO-GARD 257-UK has emerged as clearly superior to other candidate coatings for application to wet concrete on a dam pressure face.  (See Case History 44).  Upon examination after one winter season, other coatings failed due to severe water damage or cracking.  BIO-GARD 257-UK, on the other hand, was in perfectly intact condition.  An earlier test area exposed for two winters was also examined and found to be in perfect condition.

• 2003 SEPTEMBER
  Specially formulated strictly for underwater applications to steel and concrete, BIO-DUR 561SW has now been optimized for colder weather applications. The first production batches have been made and reports have been received indicating that underwater application in cold sea water is even easier than before making this a truly stand-alone product in the underwater epoxy market place.

• 2003 APRIL
  Announcement from Thin Film Technology, Inc. (TFT), manufacturer of BIO-DUR^®, BIO-GARD™ and BIO-FIX™ epoxy coatings -- TFT products are now available directly from the manufacturer at attractive prices with full technical support.

Progressive Epoxy Products is NO LONGER a TFT representative. TFT has taken this action because of differences in marketing and pricing policies.