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Sto Corp., a manufacturer of full system facades, prefabrication, air barriers, coatings, and restoration solutions, announced the introduction of its new StoColor Dryonic exterior coating to the North American market, providing long-term moisture protection for virtually any substrate. The exterior coating, which is part of the recently announced Sto Intelligent Technology + Design (iQ) coatings program (also referred to as iQ Technology), offers a wide range of design possibilities as well as optimum durability, color stability and sustainability.
StoColor Dryonic, like Sto’s other iQ Technology coatings, is modelled on principles found in nature. The shell of the African fog-basking beetle, covered in countless microscopic bumps, was the inspiration for the operating principle of this biomimetic coating. StoColor Dryonic features a unique microtextured surface like that of the beetle’s shell. Rain and condensation cannot collect on this surface, preventing absorption of moisture by the facade. This allows the surface to dry in record time, depriving algae and fungi of the nutrients they need to grow. This long-lasting biomimetic effect, which even works with very intense color shades, keeps the facade surface clean and dry.
“As coatings are constantly exposed to the elements, they run the risk of fading and being attacked by microorganisms,” said Amanda Poole, Associate Product Manager for Coatings for Sto Corp. “StoColor Dryonic helps to safe-guard against algae and fungi to provide a high level of durability along with aesthetic appeal.”
The coating was first introduced by Sto in Germany and was awarded the Innovation Award of the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation IPA in Europe in 2015. In addition, it was designated the clear winner in a comparison test performed by the Fraunhofer Institute for Structural Durability and System Reliability of five façade coatings with regard to their drying properties. The test concluded that StoColor Dryonic “is characterized by the lowest condensate load near the surface, the lowest water absorption in the film, and the fastest drying time [...].”
StoColor Dryonic can be applied to all common substrates and is extremely robust. Whereas with conventional highly pigmented coatings, there is a risk of extender material breakdown (as they are easily scuffed), this new coating is much more resistant, which is an advantage in heavily frequented zones such as building entrances.
Regardless of the choice of color, the composition of the substrate or the weather conditions, StoColor Dryonic provides dry, beautiful and radiant exteriors that last. StoColor Dryonic joins Sto’s other iQ Technology coatings modelled on nature: StoColor Lotusan, with its pronounced self-cleaning effect modelled on the microstructure of the lotus leaf, and StoColor Climasan, which neutralizes formaldehyde, other pollutants and odors when exposed to a light source.
