Finland’s largest milk producer, Valio has called upon Flexcrete to provide a range of hygienic coating solutions for two of the company’s production plants. With a total of 15 plants all across Finland and turnover of 1.9 billion Euros, Valio produces a range of dairy products including milk, cheese, yoghurt, butter and whey powders for baby milk.
A water-based, semi-gloss hygiene coating, Biodex Sheen was specified to protect 12,000m² of internal walls and ceilings at Valio’s new production plant in Lapinlahti. The Flexcrete coating was chosen on the basis of its suitability for application to new, cementitious substrates whilst providing a hygienic surface able to withstand rigorous cleaning regimes. Formulated using state-of-the-art chloride technology combined with the latest generation biocide technology,Biodex Sheen incorporates active in-film protection, allowing for the ultra-slow controlled release of biocidal ingredients into the coating film.
Biodex Sheen could be safely applied in this environment as it is waterborne, non-toxic, non-leaching and non-tainting, so there was no threat of contamination during application. The vapour permeability of Biodex Sheen was also crucial, as entrapped moisture can escape in the form of vapour without leading to splitting, cracking or delamination from the surface. Biodex Sheen can withstand steam cleaning and other rigorous cleaning regimes without deterioration, with a typical lifespan of at least 10 years.
At Valio’s production plant in Turenki, Southern Finland, Biodex Sheen and another Flexcrete coating, Biodex HB, were also used. Valio re-entered the Finnish baby food market, launching a range of ready made porridges made at the Turenki plant and to enable the new manufacturing processes, the premises needed to be refurbished and hygienic coatings were required for the ceilings, beams and wall areas. The coatings could be rapidly applied over existing substrates to confer a totally seamless, easy clean finish with effective anti-microbial protection. Biodex HB – a high build, elastomeric, biostatic coating – was used as the first coat due to its ability to bridge hairline cracks, and the surface was overcoated with Biodex Sheen to ensure a tough, sheen finish.
The Distributor for both Valio projects was PiiMat Oy and the Architect was RE-Suunnittelu Oy. The Contractor for Valio Lapinlahti was Kaukomaalaus Oy and the Contractor for Valio Turenki was Hämeenlinnan Maalaus ja Mattotyö Oy.