Proven chemical- and moisture-resistant epoxy and urethane technology from Tnemec provided a recipe for success during the renovation of the Furman Foods processing area, where damp conditions and high-pressure cleaning was a regular occurrence. “It’s a very hot, humid environment,” acknowledged Tnemec coating consultant Lee Zeigler. “The project required a coating system that could stand up to steam cleaning and the high humidity, which resulted from the daily processing operations.”
The project required replacing an existing roof and rusted deck over the processing area and recoating the overhead steel beams, galvanized sheeting and interior walls. The joist beams were brush-off blast cleaned in accordance with SSPC-SP7/ NACE No. 4, followed by a spray-applied coat of Series N69F Hi-Build Epoxoline II, a polyamidoamine epoxy. A topcoat of Series 297 Enviro-Glaze, a waterborne polyurethane, was then spray-applied to complete the system. Series 297 is low in volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and the resin used to manufacture the product received the “Green Chemistry Challenge Award” from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Interior walls were also coated with Enviro-Glaze, providing a white gloss urethane finish with enhanced abrasion and stain resistance, easy clean-up characteristics and a tolerance for high-humidity conditions.
Miscellaneous steel in the processing area was power-tool cleaned in accordance with SSPC-SP11 and coated with Series 530 Omnithane, an aluminum-pigmented aromatic urethane. “Omnithane is a great primer for marginally-prepared steel that is hand-cleaned,” Zeigler noted. Series 90-97 Tneme-Zinc, a two-component zinc-rich primer, was also applied on newly installed metallic surfaces.
“The plant needed to get back into production, so Wenrich Painting had less than a month from start to finish,” Zeigler added. “The applicator was very cooperative and provided the necessary manpower to complete the project and get it done right.”
Furman Foods’ main production facility, consisting of 509,000 square feet, uses steam for the canning process. The company processes more than seven million cases of vegetables, tomatoes and tomato sauces for the retail and institutional markets. Furman’s best-known products are Furmano’s brand Italian tomato products and vegetable products.