Spec Finish

NEWS 8 www.thefis.org New social distancing range Partitioning expert Komfort has introduced a new social distancing range called Protekt to help businesses adapt by implementing both short and long-term workplace solutions. The range includes solutions that are suitable for offices and reception areas, educational establishments, restaurants, hairdressers or any public area, which are available with antimicrobial finishes, including full-height glazed partitioning systems, free-standing screens, desk-mounted systems and more. The full height glazed partitioning systems can be fully customised and configured to unique environments. The company has also just launched its completely reimaged Polar range which has served the designer and specification market since 1973. The range offers minimalist partitioning design with acoustic ratings as well as enhanced structural performance. www.komfort.com Coatings collaboration to tackle COVID-19 Academics, technical industry specialists and representatives of major healthcare and transport organisations have been collaborating with the British Coatings Federation, the UK Trade Association representing paints, coatings, printing inks and wallcoverings manufacturers and suppliers in the UK, to identify challenges and share knowledge on techniques to help tackle the global COVID-19 pandemic. Anti-viral coatings contain agents that prevent microorganisms growing on the surfaces of materials, and are increasingly being researched for potential use in clinics, industry and domestic environments. As well as technical challenges, there are regulatory hurdles to overcome before they can be deployed in public spaces. Acting CEO of the Royal Society of Chemistry Helen Pain, said: “While we already have a number of technologies and techniques at our disposal, there is a clear need to accelerate research.” Stuart Clarke, Professor of Surface Science at Cambridge University and Chair of the RSC’s Surface Coatings Interest Group, said there is an acute need to provide new information and insight about anti-viral surfaces and coatings in the current climate, particularly to confirm antiviral behaviour and get appropriate products to market and into use promptly. “The Surface Coatings Group is trying to connect individuals and organisations with relevant products to specialised anti-viral testing facilities. In the longer term, activities may centre on informed reformulation of products and even longer-term exploration of new anti-viral approaches,” he said. CEO of the British Coatings Federation, Tom Bowtell, said there has been “a terrific response”. “Tackling regulatory hurdles will be one of the major challenges for such bio-active technologies, and our regulatory affairs team will be actively engaging with the relevant authorities at UK and EU level to support the efforts of companies as an urgent priority.” He said the Surface Coatings Group and British Coatings Federation (BCF) will continue to facilitate the connection of academic and industrial organisations. Click and collect to become permanent fixture Insulationand interior buildingproducts distributorCCF, has reporteda rise in the number of buildingcontractors relyingon its new clickandcollect service. Since introducing theclickandcollect service on theCCFwebsiteas anorderingandpick-up solution for buildingcontractors, CCFhas receiveda surge inorder requestsof250%. JamesMiller, regional director of thecentral regionatCCF, said: “Buildingcontractors, especially thoseworkingonessential projects, have reliedonCCF tosupplybuildingproducts in the recentmonths.Theclickandcollect service is adirect response to thisdemand, inorder tokeepour customers andstaff safeall while helping theconstruction industry tocontinue workingonvital projects across theUK. “CCFwill nowbekeepingclickandcollect as a permanent orderingoption, aswell as continuing withour sociallydistanceddelivery service.” www.ccfltd.co.uk