Very matt and resistant surfaces, where fingerprints don't show?! Such varnishes and paints already exist!

If the requirements for the appearance of furniture are fashionable, the requirements for surface resistance are permanent. For manufacturers of finishing materials, this means a continuous improvement of the solutions they offer and a continuous attention to the trends launched by architects and designers. And all this against a backdrop of increasingly stringent environmental and public health requirements. Complicated, isn't it? One growing trend is for surfaces that are as matt as possible, and which do not reflect the image at all. Product range S-MATT, created by Italian lacquers and paints manufacturer ICA Group, combines this requirement with outstanding surface performance and reduced volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The series has been highly acclaimed since its launch, winning awards in both Europe and the US. The products are now available in the country through the company Lomilux, the distributor of ICA in Romania.

What makes the S-MATT series special

Furniture manufacturers and beneficiaries alike complain that it is hard to find a quality product that is completely non-reflective, pleasant to the touch and highly durable. S-MATT manages to cover all these requirements. The varnishes and paints in the series have gloss level below 5, do not reflect light at all and have a silky and pleasant tuft. The series is by no means limited, offering a wide range of colours and textures.

The products are resistant to coffee, alcohol and wine stains, to scratching, and if very rough action has still resulted in fine scratches, the surface can be repaired quickly and easily with the iron. Yes, there's no mistake! In the case of the UV-cured S-MATT series, heat doesn't damage surfaces, it actually does good, helping to repair light scratches. Simply place a cotton cloth on the spot, dampen it with water and iron it. In less than 20 seconds the scratches disappear and the surface returns to its original shape, with no whitening or other traces left from the wet heat treatment.

One property that is sure to make many people happy is the lack of fingerprints on surfaces finished with the S-MATT series products. Even if the surface is smooth and fine, the touch of your fingers will not leave the usual annoying fingerprints, especially in public spaces (restaurants, conference rooms, dining rooms). The absence of fingerprints will make the space look neat at all times and will create extra comfort for those inside.

Last but not least, the products have a low content of volatile organic compounds, both in application and in use, and do not emit formaldehyde. The S-MATT series includes products with a high level of safety and reliability. They comply with the requirements of EN 71 for objects children come into contact with.

What surfaces can be covered with these materials

Virtually the range includes materials for covering any type of surface - solid wood, veneered panels, plywood, MDF, laminated chipboard, glass. The products are perfect for furniture in modern and functional living spaces or in offices, hotels or restaurants. They can be applied to wooden floors highlighting its natural beauty and ensuring durability and strength. They can be used to protect furniture in kitchens, where surfaces must always be clean and resistant to scratches and stains. No matter what type of furniture they are used on, S-MATT series materials help to keep it beautiful and durable for as long as possible.

One use for which varnishes and paints have not previously been recommended is to protect heavily used kitchen worktops and tables. The S-MATT series UV-cured products meet the requirements of the UNI 11216 standard on the resistance of kitchen worktops, offering new opportunities for designers.

S-MATT series products

The S-MATT series includes a large number of products, transparent or opaque coloured, differentiated by application or drying mode. In terms of drying, there are 4 main product groups:

• UVX, UV-cured products,
• UVAX, products that combine the features of water-based drying with UV drying,
• AOX, products using conventional drying methods,
• OPX, products that use the drying methods of traditional solvent-based products.

UVX range uses UV lamps to achieve matt quality surfaces without the use of matting agents or by greatly reducing their quantity. This results in surfaces with very good physical and chemical properties. The products can be applied with a roller, a spray gun or by moulding to obtain smooth or 3D surfaces. They are recommended for coating kitchen worktops, table tops, floors or doors.

Products from UVAX range combines water-based drying with UV drying. They are very suitable for vertical or profiled edge application, they lay well on surfaces and have very good resistances.

Group AOX is represented by two-component waterborne products with conventional drying and spray application. They are recommended for surfaces that do not have the strength requirements of kitchen worktops.

In OPX range are solvent-based products with conventional drying. They have very good resistance and are recommended for heavily used surfaces such as parquet or kitchen worktops.

A range of products whose outstanding qualities have been recognised by international awards

Since the first presentation of products at the fair Xylexpo, în 2018, the S-MATT series won second place in the
category Coating/Finishing of awards Xia-Xylexpo Innovation for its extraordinary level of innovation and originality. The following year at Interzum, the series won the Intelligent Material and Design the category High Product Quality. Two months later it also conquered the USA at AWFS, the most prestigious international trade fair for the wood industry, winning the Visionary New Product.

The S-MATT series products are an important aid to the finishing departments in the factories and an important benefit to the owners of the finished objects. Last but not least, their presence opens up new opportunities for architects and designers.