For over 250 years, German manufacturer Agrob Buchtal has been perfecting ceramic building materials worldwide. One of their most innovative creations is Hytect – a game-changing photocatalytic surface. This proprietary technology transforms ceramic tiles and facade panels into self-cleaning and air-purifying wonders that can substantially reduce long-term maintenance costs for building with no conditional warranties. How does Hytect work?
At its core, Hytect harnesses the power of titanium dioxide, a natural compound that becomes a catalyst when sunlight or artificial light activates it. During the firing process of Agrob Buchtal ceramics, this remarkable mineral is fused into the surface of the material. When exposed to light, titanium dioxide sets off a chain reaction, activating oxygen naturally present in the air and water. This results in the creation of reactive oxygen species, which serve two crucial functions:
Breaking down organic pollutants and microbes
It breaks down organic pollutants and microbes that accumulate on surfaces, such as algae, mold, mildew, and bacteria. It dismantles molecules like nitric oxides from vehicle emissions and volatile organic compounds from cleaning products and air fresheners.
Generating a hydrophilic surface
It generates a hydrophilic surface that causes water to spread evenly instead of forming beads. As a result, any residue or debris is effortlessly washed away during rain or manual cleaning. Graffiti can be easily wiped away without damaging Hytect finishes.
These “self-cleaning” effects of Hytect Surface Coating keep surfaces cleaner for longer periods without requiring extensive scrubbing or harsh chemicals.
Reducing lifecycle maintenance and cleaning costs
Traditional facade cladding materials often demand frequent cleaning including pressure washing, chemical treatments, or abrasive scrubbing every 3–6 months to combat dirt buildup and microbial growth. Maintenance regimes are typically a condition of warranty, in practice the regime is impractical or costly and therefore not followed, making the warranty void. In contrast, Hytect surfaces, a standard feature of KeraTwin ceramic facade panels, do not require any maintenance. Due to the hydrophilic surface, rain and sunlight do the cleaning, keeping Hytect ceramic facade panels looking good for the life of the building.
With extensive Independent testing and case studies from commercial and residential projects worldwide demonstrate that Hytect can cut facade cleaning costs remarkably over the years when compared to standard surfaces. In indoor spaces, Hytect tiles also reduces the use of cleaning agents significantly as compared to non-Hytect tiles. These savings multiply dramatically across the entire portfolio for large rental apartment buildings, shopping centres, hospitals, or schools.
To read more, enquire with Klay today.
