Following its launch at Ligna earlier this year, the partners behind PermaSkin have been kept busy responding to enquiries from around the world, while at the same time working on further developments of the system.
PermaSkin is the result of a partnership headed by UK company Permacoat Ltd and German plastics and chemicals giant BASF. It comprises a special thermo-plastic film, originally used in the automotive industry but modified to significantly improve its tensile strength and stability. The film is permanently bonded to the timber substrate with a high-performance water-based adhesive, in a patented application machine.
Permacoat says no further finishing is needed and products can immediately be handled or further machined. Combined with output rates of up to 45 cycles per hour, it maintains, this results in time and cost savings compared with the preparation, application and drying processes required for wet coatings.
No capital cost
There is no capital cost to the customer. BASF supplies the complete system free of charge, including the machine and materials, with the user then paying a fee per cycle. There are two versions of the application machine – single-sided (for windows) and double-sided (doors) – and they are available for manual, semi- or fully-automatic loading/unloading, either stand-alone or as part of a turnkey package.
“A single large product or a number of smaller components with a similar overall surface area can be finished at the same speed and at more or less the same cost in the ‘one-step’ process,” said Permacoat director Richard George.
“The system covers straight and angled components, complex profiles and tight curvatures, making it suitable for all types of exterior joinery including doors, windows and fascia boards.”
Defects masked
He added that PermaSkin film hugs the surface so precisely that wood-grain can be seen through it, but with greater masking of surface defects – and since there is no “chalking” it can be used on dark species.
The finish is resistant to scratching, abrasion, weathering, UV light (discolouration), chemicals/solvents and cleaning materials – and if damage does occur it can easily be repaired and over-painted. The high elasticity of the film lasts for the entire lifetime of the product, accommodating the natural movement of timber without cracking and therefore providing maintenance-free long-term protection.
Working closely with customers is part of the overall PermaSkin concept. Since joinery companies that previously applied wet coatings are breaking new ground with PermaSkin, they are provided with full technical and marketing support.
This includes help with designing the new production plant, installation of the application machines and supplies of film and adhesive (which can be applied using existing coating guns). Although the film is supplied in a wide range of colours, BASF will also develop bespoke colours for individual customers.
The next goal is to produce printable films – taking PermaSkin into applications that would be difficult or unaffordable using traditional coating techniques and opening new market opportunities for joinery manufacturers.
