When the new processing plant for Palermo’s Pizza in Milwaukee required a wall coating system that could “take the heat” of frequent high-pressure steam cleaning, Tnemec delivered. “Series 270 Stranlok is specifically formulated and designed for these types of exposures and will handle the cleaning requirements in these types of facilities,” reported Tnemec coating consultant John Laird. “In order to maintain a clean, hygienic environment, food processing facilities need to power wash the floors and walls two to three times a day with appropriate cleaning chemicals. Standard thin film coatings cannot hold up to the thermal shock that occurs when you’re hitting a cold wall with high-pressure steam.”
Stranlok is a fiberglass-reinforced, polyamine epoxy that features two types of premixed reinforcing fibers, which allow it to be spray-applied up to 40 mils thick. The integrity of the interlocking fibers allows the surface to withstand the thermal shock of daily high-pressure steam cleaning. Stranlok also provides chemical, impact and abrasion resistance.
The Palermo Pizza project involved approximately 20,000 square feet of concrete masonry unit (CMU) and precast concrete panel walls, which were prepared in accordance with SSPC-SP13/NACE No. 6 Surface Preparation of Concrete. Series 130 Envirofill and Series 130-6603 Envirofill PC, which are waterborne cementitious acrylic block fillers, were roller-and squeegee-applied to the walls. Series 201 Epoxoprime, a high-solids epoxy used for priming concrete, was applied next followed by a coat of Stranlok, which was spray-applied. A finish coat of Series 290 CRU was also spray-applied and backrolled. CRU is an extremely hard urethane which provides excellent resistance to abrasion, wash down conditions and chemical contact.
The same coating system used for the Palermo Pizza facility is frequently specified by Laird for other food processing projects throughout Wisconsin. “Tnemec has extensive experience with floor and wall coatings in the food and beverage industry, which is very big in this area,” Laird added. “We’ve done numerous projects involving the dairy market, cheese manufacturing and processed meats.”
For more than four decades, Palermo’s has been a leader in the private label and contract manufactured pizza category. Its 133,000-square-foot manufacturing facility includes corporate offices, a company store and Palermo’s Pizzeria and Cafe.