Tobyhanna Army Depot Specifies Recycled Content Coating
Keeping America’s infrastructure strong and secure means protecting the facilities that house our nation’s defense systems. But harsh weather conditions and time can take a toll on even the most vital buildings. Roofs and exterior walls, especially, are susceptible to wear and tear, leading to costly repairs and potential downtime.
Acrymax has developed high-performance, sustainable elastomeric coating systems for over 70 years. Our continual efforts to improve and innovate means our clients receive the protection they need, while at the same time, minimizing the environmental impact of maintaining the building’s infrastructure.
The Challenge
The Tobyhanna Army Depot in Pennsylvania is a vital part of the U.S. military’s Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C5ISR) systems. These facilities house important equipment and need both durable and sustainable roofs, especially for Northeast buildings. This area is known to experience weather extremes, including ice storms, hail, sweltering heat, and even the occasional hurricane. Traditional roofing materials like EPDM (a synthetic rubber roofing membrane) and metal roofs can deteriorate over time due to harsh weather conditions.
The Solution
Faced with the need to extend the lifespan of their existing roofs, the Tobyhanna Army Depot turned to Acrymax. We have been a trusted leader in high-performance coatings since 1951. Our reputation for reliable waterborne coatings made Acrymax the ideal partner for this project. Ultimately, the decision was made that this would be a 2-part project, consisting of two types of elastomeric coatings. First, we would roll on a base coat for adhesion, strength, and durability. The topcoat was a waterborne option that was easily sprayed on. Adding to this system’s sustainability, both coatings were formulated with post-industrial recycled content.
Customizable and Sustainable Roof Restoration
For the Tobyhanna Army Depot project, Acrymax and the Tobyhanna Army Depot agreed on a system that included both ARS-1-SP (RXT) and ARS-2-M (RXT). These coatings were formulated with post-industrial recycled content, which means they included materials that industrial processes would have otherwise discarded.
By choosing Acrymax’s recycled-content coatings, the Tobyhanna Army Depot achieved these green procurement goals while still acquiring a high-quality product. Here’s how:
- Cost-Effectiveness: Extending the lifespan of existing roofs is significantly more cost-effective than complete tear-offs and replacements.
- Environmentally Friendly: Acrymax’s waterborne coatings are low in VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and many even contain recycled content, contributing to sustainable building practices.
- Long-lasting Performance: The elastomeric properties of the coatings allow them to expand and contract with temperature fluctuations, preventing further deterioration and leaks.
- Resource Conservation: Recycled materials represent a valuable resource that can be reused instead of landfilled.
The Results
The Tobyhanna Army Depot project demonstrates how incorporating recycled materials into building projects can meet green procurement requirements without compromising performance or cost-effectiveness for your roof coating systems. The restored roofs at Tobyhanna Army Depot are expected to last for many years with occasional recoating to provide continued support and protection for the foreseeable future.
