BlueScope Steel announces that COLORBOND steel has won the HIA Western
Australia's Product Innovation Award at the recent 2014 Housing Awards. The
Awards recognise and celebrate the best of the residential construction
industry.
COLORBOND steel was recognised for having undergone extensive
testing in the field and laboratory, and for its greater colour retention and
colour-holding properties over the previous product. The jury also noted
COLORBOND steel's smaller environmental footprint compared with the
previous product.
HIA chief judge Max Pirone said that BlueScope has made an ‘extensive
investment in finding a better way’ and implemented an increased warranty
period that provides ‘peace-of-mind for the customer and consumers’.
BlueScope marketing manager - Coated and Industrial Products, Gregory
Moffitt said they were honoured that their efforts to substantially improve an
already well-performing product had been rewarded.
COLORBOND steel features BlueScope's multiple patent-protected
Activate technology, which is the culmination of almost 20 years and over
$100 million in research and development investment.
Previous-generation COLORBOND steel utilised an AZ150 alloy coating
comprising of zinc and aluminium to protect the steel base against corrosion.
BlueScope's latest COLORBOND steel has an AM100 substrate, which fundamentally
changes the coating composition by introducing magnesium into the
aluminium/zinc alloy coating and improves galvanic protection by activating the
aluminium to protect areas of the base steel following exposure from cutting,
drilling or wear. The result is more efficient and effective corrosion
resistance compared to its predecessor product.
The zinc/aluminium/magnesium coating supports builders with compliance
and assists the building approval process. Building industry members can
reduce compliance risks by specifying COLORBOND steel because the Activate technology
has been included in the National Construction Code and applicable Australian
Standards, ensuring it meets or exceeds applicable Australian building
standards.
BlueScope has worked to reduce compliance risks associated with
non-certified materials, opening up the way for AM-type coated steel products.
BlueScope conducted the most rigorous testing program in COLORBOND steel's
history to verify the improvements the new steel had over the outgoing product.
Conducted at multiple outdoor locations across the country for a minimum period
of four years, the extensive testing that replicated building applications involved
the analysis of over 2000 outdoor samples by BlueScope's Weathering Laboratory.
To back up its improved corrosion performance, the new COLORBOND steel gains
from more generous warranty periods for roofing and walling in a range of
applications, compared to those offered for original COLORBOND steel.
The new COLORBOND steel is available in six new colours, and features an
improved appearance due to enhancements in paint resin technology.
BlueScope's COLORBOND steel won the HIA WA 2014 Product Innovation Award
ahead of several other entrants, including Brikmakers, NicheQ and Summit Homes.
