Stonhard Chosen by Envirowales to Design and Install Heavy-Duty Anti-Corrosion Lining System

Envirowales is an industry-leading lead acid battery recycling plant located in Ebbw Vale, South Wales, U.K. In 2008, Stonhard was chosen by Envirowales to design and install a heavy-duty, anti-corrosion lining system at its facility. For more than 13 years, despite continuous heavy use in extremely harsh conditions, including impact, abrasion, and acid spills, the Stonhard lining system is still performing extremely well.

Envirowales’ prime goal in selecting a lining product and installer was to prevent chemicals from leaking into the surrounding environment and waterways. To keep the recycling facility operational, the lining system would be required to protect the concrete substrate by resisting, not just chemical attack, but also constant physical impact.

Stonhard’s Stonchem 656 is formulated with a chemistry built to resist the recycling plant’s specific acid exposure. The reinforced mortar system is engineered to resist the unique impact and mechanical forces expected during the battery recycling process. Stonhard installs the products it manufactures and provides customers with a single-source warranty on products and installation.

Over 32,000 sq. ft. of Stonchem 656, a high-performance lining system with fiberglass reinforcement, was installed to the floors and walls of the recycling facility. The system’s engineering fabric helps to maintain the integrity of the lining and protect against reflective cracking from the concrete. Stonchem, along with a chemical-resistant, heavy-duty epoxy mortar flooring system, provides protection against the continual impact and abrasion from the batteries and grab crane.

Stonchem 656 is corrosion resistant to 98% sulphuric acid, the main chemical that leaks out of batteries during the dismantling process for recycling. The Stonchem line has six different resin chemistries that offer formulations to protect against specific chemicals whether solvent, organic or inorganic acid, alkali, oils or caustic.

Jim Cullinane, Engineering Manager at Envirowales Ltd, said, “The containment area for the batteries is large and needed a heavy and reliable solution that was abrasion and chemical resistant. Stonhard not only provided the required solution, but also established credibility with its single-source warranty. We look forward to working with them again in the future.”

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