Arkema is celebrating the 60th anniversary of its flagship Kynar 500^® PVDF. The product has been specified for 60 years in high-performance, durable construction coatings around the globe and protects some of the planet’s most iconic buildings.

Since the very beginning, when Arkema started its production, Kynar 500 PVDF has been sold through a strict licensing program with partner paint companies. Across the planet, architects, specifiers, and building owners have grown to recognize the famous trademark license as a symbol of high-performance and long-lasting quality. Kynar 500 PVDF is produced in different plants globally enabling the company to support its global customers and their growth.

“We offer 60 years of proof,” said Laurent Tellier, senior vice-president of Arkema’s High Performance Polymers and Fluorogases. “This is more than just a famous trademark. It is peace of mind for the architect. The Kynar 500 trademark license is a kind of certificate of authenticity. And we are very proud to recognize this important anniversary, and to ensure our global coatings customers that we will continue to support their growth for decades to come.”

Arkema reports that paints that are formulated with Kynar 500 PVDF are widely known to be among the world’s most durable. The fluoropolymer is highly resistant to sunlight, UV, and the relentless attack of harsh climates. The resultant paints enable more sustainable urban environments due to their outstanding durability – being able to protect buildings for several decades without noticeable paint deterioration and without the need for maintenance or recoating.

These paints, manufactured only by licensees of the Kynar 500 trademark, are factory-applied by either spray or coil coating processes and are used to protect metal substrates in the construction of skyscrapers, hotels, airports, shopping malls, and a wide array of monumental buildings. Famous examples include New York’s Empire State Building, the Grande Arche de la Défense in Paris, and Singapore’s Esplanade.

Arkema has also developed complementary waterborne PVDF solutions for field application and restoration coatings. Kynar Aquatec® PVDF emulsion and its use in cool roof coatings were recently recognized by the Solar Impulse Foundation as one the “1,000 solutions” for a more sustainable planet, enabling to significantly reduce exterior surface temperatures by as much as 32 °C, thereby greatly reducing the urban heat island effect in densely populated cities.

Beyond PVDF, Arkema is also a recognized leader in the development and sales of a broad portfolio of coatings resin solutions in all major polymer technology platforms.

Learn more about Arkema at www.arkema.com.