Bayer MaterialScience LLC scientists have developed a waterborne polyurethane coatings technology for healthcare facilities that offers hospital facility managers a durable coating low in VOCs, is resistant to harsh cleaners and disinfectants.

The Centers for Disease Control and the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations issued stricter guidelines for the safe operation of healthcare facilities requiring areas with higher contamination risk, such as emergency, operating and procedure rooms, to be cleaned more often and with harsher cleaners. Due to these revised protocols, hospital facility managers and architects are limited in their design palette when considering traditional acrylic latex wall paints. Bayer’s new coatings technology addresses the tougher requirements while maintaining other desirable qualities as well said the company.

Hospital facility owners, architects and consultants shared three main attributes for hospital wall coatings: low odor, durability and price. The Bayer scientists tested several architectural waterborne acrylic latex wall paints, two-component waterborne polyurethane resin systems and waterborne epoxy coatings. The coatings were applied to wallboard panels primed with a standard wall primer, coated with the test materials and aged for seven days to eliminate the effects of cure time. After the aging, several tests were performed to ensure the desirable attributes were achieved.

Testing revealed that the use of the new waterborne polyurethane technology allows hospital administrators to reduce the number of repeat painting cycles. It also makes it possible to achieve a low-gloss or matte finish, which is sought after in healthcare facilities, without sacrificing durability.