Hydrotect surface treatment is 'water-friendly'

Agrob Buchtal has announced the launch of Hydrotect, a new surface coating for its range of ceramic tiles.

The company said unlike conventional hydrophobic treatments that merely repel water, Hydrotect is hydrophilic - 'water-friendly' - making tiles easy to clean and maintain.

Water is not simply dispersed, but spreads to form a thin film on the surface so that dirt and grime may be easily washed down and removed.

At the heart of the Hydrotect coating is a titanium dioxide treatment, which is physically baked into the glaze of the tiles at high temperature and which then effects a reaction between light, oxygen and air humidity.

This photocatalytic effect is present in normal lighting conditions.

Agrob Buchtal said compared with conventional methods that seal, impregnate, or coat the surface of ceramic materials, Hydrotect is robust enough to be used for wall and floor tiles, both internally and externally.

The natural advantages of ceramics, including their resistance to abrasion and chemicals, are unaffected by the treatment.

As well as maintenance advantages, Hydrotect also provides antibacterial properties - photocatalysis produces activated oxygen, which decomposes micro-organisms such as bacteria, fungi, algae, moss and germs and prevents their growth.

Unlike other antibacterial treatments, which experience a reduction in performance over time, Hydrotect consistently provides the same level of performance and protection.

As a result, Hydrotect reduces the need for cleaning materials, achieving cost savings and generating a positive environmental impact.

The Hydrotect treatment also helps to combat unwelcome or harmful odours, for example, from kitchens, washroom areas and changing rooms, contributing to an improvement in air quality.

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