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Renowned Chicago Synagogue Looks Up to a New Weather-Resistant Roof

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jim Bell
Phone: 215-419-5293
Phildelphia, PA - February 01, 2010

Most religious sanctuaries in the United States have been built in a classical style, often characterized by columns and buttresses. One extraordinary exception to this classical norm is the North Shore Congregation Israel, a Jewish synagogue near Chicago, IL.

Formed from concrete columns that soar to more than 50 feet in the air, this synagogue is like no other in its distinctive appearance. The structure’s unique design makes its roof a fragmented array of varying angles and slopes, made all the more complex by an abundance of skylights.

New Type of Topcoat Applied
Most of the roof consists of spray polyurethane foam (SPF) insulation and numerous layers of protective coatings that were applied years ago. Recently, the roof began to experience leaks, and synagogue officials opted to replace the failing system with a similar combination of SPF foam and protective coatings.

One difference, however, was the use of a different type of finish or topcoat to cover the roof. Instead of an acrylic topcoat like that applied in the past, Kymax®, a new elastomeric coating by United Coatings Corporation was selected.

Kymax® is a thin-build coating that provides color stability, resistance to dirt build-up, and weather resistance. The coating is based on Kynar Aquatec®, a new water-based PVDF fluoropolymer technology developed by Arkema Inc. that provides the same durability and performance as Kynar 500® PVDF resin-based coatings.

However, unlike factory-applied Kynar 500® resin-based coatings, coatings based on Kynar Aquatec® cure at ambient temperatures, meaning they can be field applied to a variety of substrates, including metal, PVC, SPF, concrete and wood, and as a finish coat over acrylic basecoats.

Available with 20-Year Warranty
Available with a 20-year warranty from United Coatings, the Kymax® coating also features a low-VOC formulation that made it excellent for North Shore Congregation, where exodus during the application was not possible.

Another benefit of the coating is the potential energy savings created by its ability to resist dirt pick-up, biological growth and other external factors that reduce the reflectivity of traditional roofing materials.

Insulated Roofing Contractors (IRC) of Louisville, KY handled the re-roofing project. “This was the first time we used the Kymax® coating, and were pleased with its application and the end result,” states Jim Kaiser, IRC’s senior project manager. “And, we believe it will rise in popularity as more and more environmentally friendly building codes are implemented across the country.”

About Arkema
A world-class chemical concern, Arkema combines three strategically related, integrated businesses: Vinyl Products, Industrial Chemicals and Performance Products. With operations in more than 40 countries and 15,200 employees, the company reported revenue of €5.7 billion. Leveraging six research centers in France, the United States and Japan and internationally recognized brands, Arkema holds leadership positions in each of its principal markets.

Arkema is present in the United States through its affiliate Arkema Inc., headquartered in Philadelphia, PA. Arkema Inc. employs 2,500 people, operates 16 production facilities, and accounts for 25% of global revenues.

Kymax® is a registered trademark belonging to United Coatings Corporation.

Kynar 500® and Kynar Aquatec® are registered trademarks of Arkema Inc.

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