‘ Eternacrete’ Reshapes the Future of Precast Panels
New Cretex Architectural Finish Protects Like No Other

ROCHELLE, IL – September 2, 2003 PBM Concrete, a Cretex company, proudly introduces Eternacrete, a revolutionary new line of spray-applied architectural finishes for precast concrete. The latex-modified, cementitious coating delivers an exciting diversity of finishes, plus 30% better cracking resistance and 60% better erosion protection than conventional coatings. Its value is unsurpassed, at about $1.50 per square foot for base colors and $4-$5 for masonry or other simulations.

Tom Holmes, president of PBM Concrete, explains that the acrylic latex technology employed in the new coating was developed more than three decades ago for use in other applications. “We modified the original formulation for use as an architectural coating and are having great success. Test specimens exposed to the elements for over thirty years have seen more than 2,000 freeze-thaw cycles, 1,000 inches of rain, 600 inches of snow, several blizzards, three hurricanes and exceptionally harsh winters. They look as good now as the day they were applied.”

EPA regulations have forced manufacturers to reduce VOCs in stains and, as a result, the current water-based products do not seal well. When moisture migrates through the coating and enters the concrete, the salts that remain once the moisture evaporates cause ugly, persistent staining of the concrete. Eternacrete is different, Holmes stresses. “It bonds permanently to the panel itself, forming a second skin to which two coats of penetrating sealer are added. This prevents these hard-to-remove stains.”

Owners of the Horseshoe Casino in Hammond, Indiana are among those already benefiting from Eternacrete. The general contractor for the casino’s new parking garage had specified bluff-colored, sand blasted architectural concrete for the 140,000 square-foot exterior, says Holmes. “But we value engineered the project to pour the exterior elements with gray structural concrete and coat them with Eternacrete to achieve the desired aesthetics at a considerable savings to the owner.”

Eternacrete is a boon to architects, too, with a palate of 40 distinctive colors and several textures. Available textures include sand blast, acid etch, masonry or stone, spatter coat and stucco. These attractive options are available for exterior or interior surfaces on industrial buildings, schools, office buildings, gymnasiums, stores, theaters and restaurants.

To learn more, call (800) 877-9040 or visit www.cretexcpg.com. Ask for a free Eternacrete color guide!

PBM Concrete Inc., Rochelle, Illinois is a proud member of The Cretex Companies, Inc. (Elk River, Minnesota) Construction Products Group. Other group members include J.W. Peters Inc., Burlington, Wisconsin; Iowa Prestressed Concrete Inc., Des Moines, Iowa; Raider Precast Concrete, Inc., West Burlington, Iowa. The Construction Products Group is “Your Innovative Building Partner” and one of the Midwest’s leading providers of structural precast concrete structures and construction materials for a seventeen state area from Idaho to Oklahoma to Michigan.