Designing buildings with the long-term performance of the exterior envelope in mind can be key to delivering a whole-life carbon benefit. Discover how solutions, like Colorcoat HPS200 Ultra® pre-finished steel from Tata Steel, can help to support this aim.

It’s a well known fact that the built environment generates around 40 per cent of all global carbon emissions, a statistic that many in the industry are looking to reduce given the 2050 Net Zero target. One way architects can help to meet this is by considering the durability of the materials they specify. This is a vital part of achieving long-lasting building envelopes that deliver in-use benefits.

Given this, it’s no surprise that pre-finished steel has fast become one of the most popular building envelope solutions worldwide, thanks to the design advantages, maintenance benefits, and corrosion resistance it can offer throughout a building’s lifecycle. A key feature of pre-finished steel is the different layers that make up its composition, from paint layers and primer to pre-treatment and metallic coatings, all applied to the steel in a carefully controlled process. The quality, type, thickness, consistency and application of these layers is what dictates the overall durability and quality of the steel, resulting in a material that is extremely robust, versatile and aesthetically pleasing. A great example of this is Colorcoat HPS200 Ultra® by Tata Steel.

A unique product on the market, Colorcoat HPS200 Ultra® is the result of over 60 years of testing and development – a rarity in today’s industry. Its nominal 200-micron structure incorporates a robust and durable topcoat, up to four times thicker than many other options. This ensures both exceptional durability and longevity.

Offering customers assurances of performance and quality, the products Scintilla® emboss provides a mark of authenticity of only being manufacturing in Shotton, North Wales. Chrome free and REACH compliant, Colorcoat HPS200 Ultra® also comes with the industry renowned Confidex® Guarantee, one of the most comprehensive guarantees of its kind currently available. This offers up to 40 years protection for industrial and commercial buildings direct to the building owner, when registered online, and can be transferred in the case of a change of ownership. The guarantee duration also isn’t affected by the installation of Photovoltaic (PV) frame modules, something that is becoming more common when looking to improve the energy efficiency of buildings.

With regular usage in extreme environments such as the Middle East, South America and the Far East, architects can trust that Colorcoat HPS200 Ultra® will perform even in the most demanding locations.

Taking this to the next level, Colorcoat HPS200 Ultra® meets Ruv4 and surpasses RC5+ requirements, as part of EN 10169:2022, with excellent colour and gloss retention, as well as corrosion resistance, ensuring long lasting performance. There are also three colour palettes grouped into the Signature, Classic and Matt collections, with metal hand samples readily available to assist in colour selection.

Manufactured in the UK and certified to BES 6001 Responsible Sourcing standard, Colorcoat HPS200 Ultra® can help meet the increased focus on reducing embodied carbon. Its inherent durability demonstrates whole life carbon benefits across the duration of a building’s lifespan, while also being fully recyclable at its end of life.

Find out more by contacting the Colorcoat Connection® helpline on 01244 892434, or email, or visit the website.