“Success is not about

being the first to do

something, but in
continuing to build in
order to do it better and
differently”
 Contents

Porcelanosa Group 4 Aseptic 80

Company 6 Translucency Level 81
Thermal conductivity 82

Krion Unlimited Surfaces

® 9 Resistant to extreme conditions 83

Environmentally friendly 10
Benefits 87
Product lines 11
Differentiation 90
Applications 13
Competitiveness 93
Value proposals of the material 14
Corporate Social Responsibility 94
How it is worked 16
Transparency, Safety and
Design possibilities 17 97
Impact
Nature Inspiration 19
Health 99
Nature and pollution 20
Environment 101
Photocatalysis 21
What have we invented? 28
Sustainable and healthy
103
building
KEAST Technology 33
Sustainable building standards 105
Krion® K·LIFE 1100 35
Building standards for safe and
107
K·LIFE Properties 37 healthy spaces
Air treatment 39
Bactericide 48 Annex 109
Disposal of chemical products 50 Technical utility sheet 110
Test for disposal of chemical Available formats 111
54
products
Easy cleaning 58

It is still Krion® 69
Mechanical properties 70
High tensile strength in the joint 71
Fire performance 72
Color stability 74
Ultra-white 75
Reflectance Value 76
Acoustic insulation 78
Thermoforming Possibilities 79

3
 PORCELANOSA Grupo is present in almost 150 countries

Today, PORCELANOSA Grupo is a leading company in both domestic and international

markets, built upon sound values such as innovation and quality, but above all on the
trust placed in its extensive workforce of nearly 5,000 people, and the care given to their
social environment.

With over forty years of experience, PORCELANOSA Grupo is present in nearly 150
countries around the world, thanks to a unique business model, which forms the
foundation of a strong corporate strategy. Today, it is one of the most internationally
recognized Spanish companies, according to a study published by the Pricewaterhouse
Coopers consultancy and the Financial Times, and is also considered by consumers as
a strong and robust company, according to another study completed by the Reputation
Institute.

Diversification in production has been a major building block in the growth of a business
group that began exclusively in tile manufacturing. At present, the eight companies of
the Group offer an extensive range of products, from kitchen or bathroom equipment to
hi-tech materials and advanced building solutions for modern architecture.

PORCELANOSA Grupo has experienced constant growth in its manufacturing thanks

to its proper economic and financial administration. This has meant that the company
has prevailed as one of the strongest in the market, both nationally and internationally.

5
 Company

KRION is a company of the Porcelanosa Group that designs, produces and markets new
generation solid surfaces as sheets, semi-finished products from Krion®, adhesives and
bathroom devices.

Through constant commitment to improvement and innovation, it has an excellent

R+D+i team and facilities who always seek to improve the quality of the end product,
bringing in new properties and features to existing ones, converting the material into one
of the most advanced, resistant and hard-wearing on the current market.

Owing to its mineral and natural origin, the solid surface developed by KRION sets
new standards in sustainability and commitment to the environment, and is a leader
in the construction and development of new premises around the world with a daily
commitment to reducing the impact on the ecosystem. The pursuit of improvement
and innovation of our products has given us global level recognition and support from
organizations and companies through certificates that guarantee the environmental
responsibility of our solid surface.

With the backing of the Porcelanosa Group and an impressive logistics and distribution
networkaround the world, KRION has established itself as a international benchmark in
first level projects in several countries. The quality of our human team, our materials
and our commitment to nature stand like flags marking the course the company takes
to guarantee a sustainable future and improve the quality of life of the wider community.

6
Since the creation of Krion® we have worked to maintain a strong moral commitment
and corporate responsibility in constant search of excellence. Our philosophy sets out
the principles and standards under which the business is governed and which drive and
ensure success in all our areas of activity.

To meet our goals we have committed ourselves from the beginning to working and
operating in accordance with our values. As a company that is part of the Porcelanosa
Group, an honest ethical culture is fundamental for daily growth and achieving all our
goals, creating a comfortable and fulfilling working atmosphere.

Our commitment and responsibility to nature is one of the key factors in our growth
and, as with our product, we are involved in obtaining, optimizing and improving all the
properties that support environmental sustainability and the search for an improvement
in the quality of life of society, through concrete and tangible actions that reduce the
impact of production on the environment.

We are constantly evolving, trying to find perfection both in the development of our
product and in the treatment of our fellow man. Innovation and high performance
can only be turned into success if our reputation is in line with these principles and if
our customers, suppliers and business partners associate our name with confidence
and commitment; our interactions and everyday actions are key to the success of the
company.

7
8
 KRION®
Krion® is a compact, homogeneous new generation mineral, a material developed by
Porcelanosa Group that is composed of a high percentage of natural minerals such as
Alumina Trihydrate (ATH) and a low percentage of high strength acrylic resins.

It is a material for surfaces, with a pleasant feel and aesthetically similar to natural
stone, non-porous, and is highly durable and robust against wear. Very hard and
resistant to most impacts, excellent performance outdoors under extreme conditions
and it does not deteriorate over time and its everyday wear is minimal. Consequently, it
requires only low maintenance and is easy to clean.

It is a material that is produced in the form of sheets of varying sizes, thicknesses,

colors and decorations, which work similarly to wood, allowing it to be cut and bonded
with Krion® adhesive, creating almost invisible joints and seamless spaces.

9
 Environmentally friendly

Once its life cycle is completed, the mineral can be re-used, recycled or discarded without
posing any danger to the environment as it is considered an inert substance.
It can also be re-processed and used again in the production cycle, creating new
series containing recycled material. Krion® is a mineral that is 100% recyclable, and
is manufactured to very strict quality standards to reduce consumption of energy
resources and ensure minimal impact on the environment. . We have certification such
as the environmental product declaration (EPD), SCS RECYCLED CONTENT and we
contribute towards achieving certifications such as LEED, BREEAM, VERDE, WELL… All
this endorses the environmental commitment of Krion® and our preoccupation with it.

Furthermore, Krion® is a non-toxic material when used by end users and when handled
by transformers. It has a very low number of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) under
normal conditions of temperature and it does not emit harmful gases over time. It has
achieved the best results in accreditations such as the GREENGUARD, A+, and it has
certifications such as the REACH, BISFENOL FREE, SIO2 FREE, ISO…

10
 Product lines

KRION®
SHEETS ADHESIVE
Krion® is available in sheets of varying Thanks to the innovative and non-
sizes and thicknesses, with 3680x76 conformist spirit of our company, Krion®
mm and 12 mm thickness as the most manufactures its own adhesive which
common measurements. Depending on results in full compatibility with the color
the color we can find thicknesses of 3, of each sheet and in a high performance
6, 9 and 19 mm as well as the sheet size in each joint, making design without
that can be served in 3680x1520 mm, visible joints a reality.
3680x1350 mm, 3680x930 mm, 3680x760
mm, 2500x1350 mm, 2500x930mm and
2500x760 mm.

The sheets are available in a broad range

of colors and decorations, such as solids,
translucents, studded, with inlays, with
grains, terrazzos, recycled, marbled...
that can be combined to create fantastic
compositions. Some of them, such as
the translucents, enhance the scope for
design and are a strong inspiration for
architects and interior designers the world SEMI-MANUFACTURED BY CASTING
over. It is such a versatile material that it To create unique spaces, KRION
can be textured and can even bear images provides its customers with a large
on its surface. Krion® can be used for both number of washbasins, sinks, shower
coverings and to create independent bases and baths, manufactured by
furnishings, inlays, decorative elements, casting, fully compatible with Krion®
signage and an infinity of designs. sheets, creating the perfect union, both
on a physical and an aesthetic level,
between these elements and the sheet
as it is the same material.

11
 Perfect for
the Contract
market

12
 Applications

KRION®
Krion® is a surface devised for creation, and thanks to its exceptional performance
qualities it is suited to the commercial and residential sectors. That is why Krion® is the
choice of professionals when creating all kinds of furniture, work surfaces, countertops,
outdoor and indoor coverings for use in projects in commercial premises, hotels,
restaurants, hospitals, clinics, public buildings, airports, public transport stations, not
forgetting that Krion® is an excellent option for everyday living in our homes.
The confidence of professionals in Krion® is thanks to the continuous developments in
the improvement of properties like durability, functionality and the great efficiency/cost
ratio, as well as its ease of repair and low maintenance, making it the ideal material for
high traffic/usage areas, meaning that projects completed with Krion® shine like new.

COMMERCIAL OFFICE FOOD SERVICE/

FURNITURE AND WORK SURFACES FURNITURE AND CATERING
AND EQUIPMENT AND WORKTOPS EQUIPMENT FURNITURE AND
EQUIPMENT

FOOD SERVICE/ BATHROOM CLINICAL AND INTERIOR

CATERING EQUIPMENT LABORATORY COVERINGS
FURNITURE FURNITURE
AND EQUIPMENT AND EQUIPMENT

EXTERIOR SIGNAGE FLOORING INDUSTRIAL

COVERINGS PRODUCTS

13
 Value proposals of the material

Krion® possesses qualities that make it a perfect candidate for meeting the highest
demands of aesthetics, safety, functionality and durability required by any commercial
or residential project.

High fire resistance Aseptic

The high mineral composition of Krion® Krion® is a full-bodied material,
means the material is a product that does homogeneous, non-porous, capable of
not contribute to the propagation of fire being bonded and transformed with no
without any kind of halogenated additive, visible joints, which makes it easy to
and if burned, produces only faint smoke clean. Having imperceptible joints and
free of toxic gases. All Krion® series have non-existent porosity does not allow
excellent fire performance and are are the proliferation of bacteria, fungi and
certified with the Euroclass: B-s1-d0. microbes, which makes it an aseptic
Krion® also has prestigious certifications, material, ideal for hospital areas or
both european and emerican, with respect food contact zones. It has important
to the material’s reaction to fire. certifications proving its hygiene, such as
HPD, NSF, CSA, UL, ASTM, ISO…

Resistant to bending and compression Resistant to the passage of time and

renewable
Krion shows high bending strength
®

which makes it is easier to work with and Krion® undergoes very little wear with the
transport. Unlike many solid materials, passing of time and is resistant to cuts
Krion® withstands huge forces and and scratches. It is very easy to clean
does not crack. Furthermore, the high and repair. If the material is subjected to
compressive strength places us next to heavy staining or superficial burns, it can
materials such as stone, which withstand be returned to its original condition with
rupture or deformation superbly when very little maintenance, by following our
subjected to a compressive force. cleaning and restoration instructions.
As it is a full bodied and homogeneous
material throughout its entire thickness,
in the event of worse damage Krion® can
be repaired or restored by a professional
to bring it back to its original condition
without requiring the full replacement of
the item created with Krion®.
14
 KRION®
Excellent performance in extreme Imperceptible and thermoformable
environments and against solar joints
radiation
The cast shapes and sheets from Krion®
The composition of Krion makes it a
®
can be joined to each other with Krion®
material with high performances against adhesive, which ensures a perfect joint
solar radiation, with no porosity and with respect to aesthetics, safety and
therefore no water absorption, granting durability. Using Krion® products such
it special features such as resistance to as the sheets, cast shapes and adhesive
cracking, splitting or weathering that occur enables the creation of large spaces or
in extreme conditions such as in marine surfaces with no visible joints. Another
environments, or those with severe frosts, of the virtues of the material is its
high moisture or deserts... Therefore, the thermoformability, which, through the
environment is not a handicap for Krion® thermal heating process, can be molded
as it possesses extraordinary stability and into extreme curves formed both in 2D
is therefore used as facade covering in a and 3D, and when the material cools it
large number of projects. recovers the physical properties it had
before being heated. Thanks to these
properties, the designs and applications
are infinite.

15
 How it is worked

Krion® can be worked like wood, which means sheets can easily be cut and joined, and
thermoformed to create exclusive designs. Moreover, it has no dangerous substances in
its formulation and the dust from cutting is inert, therefore it is safe to use and transform.
All workshops which use Krion® have been trained in the peculiarities of the material and
can continue using woodworking tools.

KRION offers you the possibility to link up as an associate workshop through the
Affinity program, in which case you will then become part of the extensive network of
Krion® transformative workshops. These companies can become part of the Associate
Fabricator program that provides a variety of benefits through which it will form part of
the preferred network of KRION. To achieve this status, the company has to be assessed
in order to find out its effective working capacity.

16
 Design possibilities

KRION®
Krion® will be transformed in a different way depending on the hands that work it; each
creative professional sees something different in Krion® that can turn their ideas into
reality and convert that sheet into something unique, making the material their own
through transformation. Krion® is endowed with innumerable features that architects
and interior designers use in their projects and which are the true reasons as to why
Krion® is the choice for their projects.

Seamless surfaces Curves

The large sheet sizes, the opportunity Krion® is a compact mineral of the latest
to create monolithic structures with no generation that enables curves to be made
visible joints, and, of course, the ease for that are normally impossible to achieve
hygiene, cleanliness and restoration make with other materials, thereby achieving
the material the ideal element for creating continuous volumes of gentle curves.
any type of commercial furnishing,
from displays, tables, countertops, work Backlighting
surfaces, etc. Krion® enables the creation of backlit
environments. Combining different
Surface finishings thicknesses and colors of the material
Krion® sheets are considered as a raw can achieve spectacular lighting effects.
material that presented unfinished and In addition, there are exclusive series from
it is the transformer who carries out the Krion® with grains and decorations that,
final sanding process. The solid surface on being backlit, allow new designs and
can obtain different types of finish: matte, shapes to be discovered.
satin, gloss, high gloss and any that are
listed in the Transformer Manual for each In addition to the high functionality that
material model. can be obtained thanks to its unparalleled
One of the developments introduced is a properties, KRION also has a large A&D
new type of finish that gives a sandblasted department made up of architects,
texture with three degrees of hardness: engineers and designers who provide
Sabbiato Sottile, Sabbiato Sereno and solutions on the aesthetic, functional
Sabbiato Intenso, which give the solid and economic aspects, assisting with
surface a rough feel, very similar to natural project implementation and ensuring
stone but keeping all the properties and finishes of the highest quality. It is further
features of Krion®. complemented with a team responsible
Lastly, the sublimation technique, through for the continuous training of transformers
which a digital impression is created in the across the world in the correct use and
material, enables any color of image to be treatment of the material, and a quality and
added to the material very easily, creating fidelity program that keeps professionals
a finish of maximum graphic quality. in constant contact with the company.

17
Study nature, love nature,
get close to nature. It will
never let you down
Frank Lloyd Wright,
American architect

18
 NATURE INSPIRATION

KRION®
Since ancient times, nature has been the model of inspiration par excellence
of the human being. Architecture, technology, medicine and many other fields
of thought and creation have taken nature and its behaviors as a faithful
reflection for creating objects aimed at improving our lives. Nature Inspiration
is not focused solely on the application of engineering or a particular
architecture, but is also trying to understand the working principles of natural
life and its different levels, and apply them in order to solve problems in the
same way that Nature does.

In the R+D+i department some vitally important tasks are being undertaken
for the proper development and control of the solid surface of KRION. For
years, methods to understand and better define the material have been
implemented, in addition to constant investments in the acquisition and
modernization of equipment that can better monitor quality and ensure that
it is one of best solid surfaces on the market.

Since its birth, the material developed by KRION has been evolving in terms
of performance and in gaining properties thanks to numerous studies and
improvement projects carried out at the R+D+i laboratory, where there
is an ambitious vision of the future, always defined by our principle of
understanding Nature, implementing it and adapting it for the benefit of our
clients.

THE R+D+I TEAM TIRELESSLY CARRIES OUT ITS WORK TO CONSTANTLY

IMPROVE THE SOLID SURFACE FROM Krion and therefore provide one
of the best products in the sector, thanks to the innovations and advances
incorporated into the material in each new series and line.

19
 How does Nature eliminate pollution

There are innumerable sources of pollution, such as traffic in large cities, industry, chemical
products from agricultural activity, solid waste from domestic activities... When exposed
to sunlight, part of this pollution degrades naturally through photodecomposition,
however this is not enough due to the large amount of pollution that exists. Thanks to
plants and photosynthesis, a large amount of pollution can also be eliminated through
their leaves, using the light and water they absorb through their roots, converting carbon
dioxide into organic matter and oxygen. But there are other methods of decontamination
such as photocatalysis in which light, water and other components operate, without
producing oxygen, yet effectively contribute to the elimination of pollution.

20
 Photocatalysis. Origin and scientific
evidence
Photocatalysis is a phenomenon that arises spontaneously in Nature. As occurs in
photosynthesis, light and the humidity of the environment take a major role in eliminating
certain pollutants present in the air we breathe.

In 1972, professors Akira Fujishima (1942 - ) and Kenichi Hond (1925 – 2011) focused
their studies on a peculiarity of certain minerals that react to light and that same year

KRION® K·LIFE 1100

they wrote a groundbreaking publication entitled Electrochemical Photolysis of Water at
Semiconductors Electrodes (Nature 238, 37-38), in which they revealed the mechanism
of action of titanium dioxide (TiO2), a known photocatalytic mineral, in the decomposition
of water by the action of sunlight. This discovery started a revolution in the ceramics,
glass and other industries.

From this study, endless surface applications have been developed in several sectors
with various results.
Arising from the wide diversity of applications, and with the aim of standardizing the
processes for verifying photocatalytic activity, several ISO standards have been
emerging to regulate the verification procedure that proves the photocatalytic activity
of a mineral.

21
 Photocatalysis, how does it work?
Photocatalysis is a phenomenon that takes place in some minerals present in Nature
which have the ability to react to light. When a beam of light shines on the surface
of this mineral, the energy of this beam is capable of altering part of the molecular
structure of this material, making it combine with the humidity and oxygen present in
the environment. As a result of this combination, molecules are produced (hydroxyl
radicals) which, due to their nature, join with extreme ease to other particles close to
them, forming molecules/stable particles, not harmful to humans.

Photocatalytic mineral
NORMAL STATE
Photocatalytic
mineral
ACTIVE STATE
The effect of light,
especially UV light, induces
the development of an
electron of the valence
band and the conduction
band, generating an
unpaired electron

1
2

RETURN TO
NORMAL STATE
After generating
the radicals, the
photocatalytic mineral
returns to its normal 4
state to begin a new
3
cycle

Agua

COMBINATION WITH WATER

The unpaired electron reacts with
the water from the humidity to
generate hydroxyl radicals.

22
 What is in the air we
breathe
Air is composed of gases that are
beneficial to our development, but we also
find other components such as bacteria,
pollutant compounds, fungi or pollens that

can harm us..

Hydroxyl Radicals
These radicals generated are very reactive
and are compounds that will cause
degradation reactions on coming in
contact with air pollutants, staining, VOCs
or bacteria.

KRION® K·LIFE 1100

+ + + +
NOx VOCs Bacteria Stains
Nitrous oxides are Many VOCs are Bacteria are present
released into the air hazardous air in our
from motorized vehicle pollutants. They environment, tending
exhausts (above all contribute to to form
from diesel and poor the formation of colonies and growing in
mixtures), and from photochemical any spaces
the burning of coal, smog when reacting favorable to them, as
petroleum or natural with other airborne happens in
gas. pollutants (such as porous materials or in
nitrogen oxides) and joints or surfaces
sunlight. They are difficult to clean, leading
formed by microscopic to the development
particles such as of diseases dangerous
fungus spores, pollens, to our health.
and also isoprenes.

Nitrates Bacteria
(mineral salts)

23
 Factors on which the
photocatalytic activity depends
The magnitude of photocatalytic activity is determined largely by:

First of all, and in a significant way, we have We then have parameters related to the
radiation. Usually, and due to the energy catalytic process. Highlighted among
required by photocatalysts, we need them is exposure time. It is logical to
energetic radiation such as ultraviolet light assume that, for a given material, the
(UV-A or UV-B) or solar. Thus, according longer that material is exposed the better
to the range of wavelengths that reach will be the percentage results of the
the surface of the material, there will photocatalytic activity.
be a greater or lesser activation of the
photocatalysts.

Regarding the radiation, we have In relation to this point, we have the

its intensity (measured in W/cm2). exposed surface of the material, since it
Depending on the intensity of the radiation is evident that a larger surface of active
indicated previously, there will be a greater material will contribute to some better
amount of energy arriving at the surface results in terms of percentage, when
and consequently greater activation of the talking about photocatalytic activity.
photocatalysts. This increased activation
brings better results for activity.

24
For the degradation tests in the liquid On the other hand, there are environmental
and gas phases, this could prove crucial factors that influence the process greatly,
to determining the flow or movement of such as humidity in the air. It has been
the dissolution or gas in the degradation found that greater humidity means there
process. It has been possible to is more water available for the formation
demonstrate and, in fact, the ISO of reactive species, which carry out the
standards refer to the need to homogenize degradation processes.
and shake the dissolution of, for example,
methylene blue every 20 minutes for the

KRION® K·LIFE 1100

proper process.

Depending on the type of compound The higher the concentration of pollutant

that is being eliminated, as well as the organic compounds that are found at that
level of activity, the degradation will be time, the greater the activity that occurs in
either faster or slower. Not all compounds the material.
can be degraded by photocatalysis nor
do all compounds degrade at the same
speed. This is why each case requires
an independent study of the kinetics of
degradation.

The quality of the triggers will depend

on the performance of the activity, better
activators will improve the speed of
decontamination.

25
 Photocatalysis in industry

Following the discovery of this technology, there has been much progress made in
the field of photocatalysis. The main efforts have been aimed at the development of
materials that benefit people’s quality of life. In this line of research, progress has begun
in various fronts that photocatalysis can offer as a tool: air purification, self-cleaning
material, degradation of chemical and antibacterial products.
Companies related to photocatalytic products have launched various materials to the
market with these properties. If we had to find a beginning to the marketing of these
materials, we would need to look back to TOTO company in Japan at the end of the
1990s, with a ceramic product with photocatalytic properties that were patented. After
that, properties and performances were improving and there have been 350 related
patents across the world..
There are a variety of products with photocatalytic activity such as:
- Cement-based materials: The photocatalyst forms part of the mixture, and is not a
surface application. They may become vertical applications (linings, walls, structures...)
and horizontal (floors and roofs).
- Floors: Can be continuous, such as mortars, grouts, surface treatments on floorings; or
discontinuous, such as prefabricated tiles with surface treatments.
- Asphalt sheets: particularly for waterproofing of roofs.
- Ceramics: The photocatalyst impregnates the surface of the tiles, providing
decontaminating and self-cleaning properties. Activa is an industrial-scale brand that
has developed the patent as the manufacturing process.
- Textiles: Very useful in tarpaulins, parasols or home textiles. There are also some
cases of advertising companies or textiles that cover buildings under construction/
maintenance, that is, temporary treatments.
- Painting: Can treat interior or exterior surfaces. Very useful for application to existing
building facades.
The majority of these products can be very active, resulting from priming the surface
with the photocatalyst, their useful life varying depending on the wear of this surface
application. The properties of the material on which the application is placed may
change and may prevent it from being transformed or restored when necessary.

26
27
KRION® K·LIFE 1100
What have we invented?

28
 Initial approach

At Krion®, as the material is changing and constantly evolving, we are always trying
to improve its properties, listening to the demands and needs of the customers and
the environment. In the tradition of evolutionary leaps that have occurred in the world
of photocatalysis, applying it to those fields where there was a demand in society, at
KRION we decided to bring it into the world of the solid surface.
Before this development, the R+D department was always aware that in order for
the project to see the light of day they had to fulfill 3 primary objectives. These 3
assumptions were:

1 Preserve the intrinsic properties of Krion®. In no way could we give up the work
that has been done so far, so if this new improvement meant the variation in any
property that Krion® currently has, the project would be discarded.

2 The photocatalytic activity must be maintained over time regardless of its final
shape and finish. Whether cut, sanded, restored, thermoformed or drilled, the final
product must have its photocatalytic properties intact. Differing from photocatalytic
products for surface use. Although the activity was less than for other photocatalytic
products.

KRION® K·LIFE 1100

Provide photocatalytic activity to the current material. At no time was competing
with current photocatalytic materials considered, simply provide our material with
this activity as so far no solid surface had included this property.

29
 Background to the invention

With the exception of photocatalytic cement, the construction and decorating materials
do not effectively include photocatalytic particles in the body. The succeed in having
photocatalytic properties thanks to coatings applied to them such as: additives or paints.
The application of a photocatalytic additive in superimposed layers results in many
problems. They are applied with aerosols and solvents such as volatile organic
compounds, which are environmental pollutants and have other effects harmful to
health.
The product that is added must be compatible with the base material, however; in certain
cases the primer may lack compatibility in its components, on the surface exposed to
wear or having pores. The application of the photocatalytic layer is also associated with
the visible face of the piece, and under no circumstances with the lateral or reverse
faces. The construction materials usually have joints or changes of material wherever
the added material does not reach.
Over time, the layers added tend to lose their effectiveness due to adhesion problems,
wear, abrasion or alteration of their thickness and need renovation. This may be
associated with a distribution or homogeneity problem given that aerosol applications
are not usually recurrent, which makes these processes inflexible and unrepeatable.
The amount of material applied or the thickness of the outer layers is often difficult to
reproduce and there is too much variation from one application to another.
The result of all the above is that the materials to which an additional photocatalytic layer
is applied are deficient in photocatalysis and their reproducibility in industrial production
is often difficult. In addition, the application of the layer implies a modification of the end
product which brings additional associated costs, usually high.

Implementation of the activity

In order for Krion® to be a material with photocatalytic activity it must include in its
composition a set of activator minerals and additives that will react to light. A selection
was made taking into consideration the efficiency and the compatibility of the latter with
the formulation of Krion®.
The creation of this new photocatalytic feature of the material does not consist
of simply implementing these new components into the Krion®, formula, but the
development of a new production process for that purpose. Thus achieving a
photocatalytic activity never seen before on a solid surface.
As this process was an evolutionary leap in the world of the solid surface, it has enabled
us to patent it at national level in the interests of extending it to international level as
soon as the times established by the PCT (Patent Cooperation Treaty) are met.

30
 Our invention

The present invention is a procedure for obtaining a

photocatalytic polymer through the development of a
photocatalytic additive. When this additive is added to the
acrylic resin and polymerization, the solid surface with
photocatalytic activity is obtained.
Another aspect of the invention is that the resulting polymer has
high catalytic homogeneity, with the photocatalytic particles
operating on all surfaces of the material with the same activity.
Generally, during the process developed, white-colored
photocatalytic minerals for more decorative purposes such as
the TiO2 rutile, ZnS, SnO2 or ZnO are mixed with a more active
photocatalyst such as TiO2 anatase. TiO2 rutile and TiO2 anatase
are two distinct photocatalysts with different activation energies.
This mixture of minerals is dissolved along with aluminum
trihydroxide and a siloxane to increase the photocatalytic activity
and create an additive that can be subsequently incorporated
into the productive process of Krion®.

KRION® K·LIFE 1100

One preferable aspect of the invention includes the elimination
of particles smaller than 0.5 μm before adding the silane and
siloxane, more preferably again by sieving. The mixture is sieved
to remove that size of particle and prevent any that may be
harmful if inhaled.
The resulting polymer is the most preferable aspect of
this invention. It has high catalytic homogeneity, with the
photocatalytic particles operating on all surfaces of the material
with the same activity. The result is that there may be reactions
on the surface of the base polymer that give the material
properties of degradation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs),
degradation of toxic gaseous compounds (NOx, SOx…), of
organic solvents (benzene, toluene...), of pollutant compounds
(formaldehyde, acetaldehyde...) and with bactericidal properties
against surface bacteria. In addition, it is a surface that is easy to
clean due to the creation of superhydrophyillic liquids, as when it
is in contact with a liquid such as water or oil the photocatalytic
process modifies the angle of contact of the drop, that does not
easily stick to the surface. All this is a definite advantage with
respect to the technique.
The polymeric material of the invention can be used indoors and
outdoors, and is easy to clean, renewable, has color stability over
time, maintains the hardness of the base material, is hygienic,
resistant to impact, heat, staining, thermal shock, and its
photocatalytic activity is not reduced over time or due to wear.
This patented invention is valid for 20 years from the date of
the presentation.

31
Krion® Eco Active Solid
Technology

32
 KEAST Technology

The name of this new technology that explains the patented process refers to:

K for Krion®, because the main purpose, and that has prevailed during the
development, was that there is no variation or reversal in the advanced properties
of the material, as may happen in the majority of developments of similar materials
(K·LIFE is the fruit of continuous improvement that was incorporated into our existing
1100 Snow White reference), so that now any customer who uses Krion® will benefit
exclusively and without restrictions.

E due to its ecological aspect, given that the strong commitment to sustainability of
the company that is added to the existing certifications (GreenGard, Reach, Hpd,
Bisphenol Free,..) and those acquired by the photocatalytic activity represented by the
DAP (EPD).

KRION® K·LIFE 1100

A as it is an active material and therefore produces the added benefit in its life span
(or use of the material). It fulfills a dual role: on the one hand, it has the function of
an object or project and on the other hand it contributes to the benefit and improvement
of the quality of life through being an active photocatalytic material.

S as it is a solid photocatalytic material throughout the body. This makes such an

activity last with the passing of time regardless of the wear and/or transformation
of the material.

T as it is the exclusive technology developed, patented and employed in the

production process to reach the outcome of the material.
At KRION we have gone one step further in the excellent material available to us, the
result of its continuous evolution over the last few years. With high performances of
an advanced material incorporating those that come from the photocatalytic effect.
On a photocatalytic level the results are getting better with the development of new
technologies, as we have seen previously. Our objective has always been to maintain
the intrinsic properties developed by Krion® itself and to implement new ones giving
an activity to the material, not comparable to products expressly developed for
photocatalysis. Nevertheless our R+D department continues to work in the research
areas that improve all the features of Krion®.

33
Krion®

Eco

Active

34
 Solid

35
Technology
KRION® K·LIFE 1100
 Krion® K·Life 1100

Krion® K·Life 1100 is the result of the application of technology known asKEAST.
It consists of 2/3 parts of natural mineral ATH (alumina trihydrate), 1/3 part of latest
generation acrylic resins developed by KRION and a series of activators chosen both for
their efficiency and for their compatibility with Krion® introduced into the formula using
“KRION® ECO-ACTIVE SOLID TECHNOLOGY®” KEAST.

Krion® K·Life 1100 is a product manufactured and marketed exclusively by KRION

Porcelanosa Grupo. The exclusive composition of Krion® K·Life 1100, enables the
material to inherit the technical and aesthetic features of the mineral and combine
them with the technical features of the polymers and the photocatalysis, with clear and
exclusive features: such as the air purification, the non-proliferation and disposal of
bacteria with no type of additive, hardness, resistance, durability, disposal of chemical
products, ease of repair, low maintenance and easy cleaning. For more information
please read the safety sheets, technical notes and other related documents.

2/3
Natural mineral ATH
(alumina trihydrate)

+ activators introduced
into the formulation
using “KRION®
ECO-ACTIVE SOLID
TECHNOLOGY”

1/3
Acrylic resins of the latest
generation developed by KRION

36
 K·Life Properties

The new and revolutionary Krion® K·Life 1100, is the same old Krion®, with the same old
properties, but incorporates the exclusive advantages of a surface with photocatalytic
activity, all without losing any of the performance of the same old Krion®.

Air purification Bactericide Disposal of Easy

chemical products cleaning

KRION® K·LIFE 1100

Ultra-white Resistant to compression Resistant to impact Resistant to solar radiation

Low thermal conductivity Backlighting Anti-spalling Ecological / 100%

recyclable

Acoustic insulation Suitable for food use Imperceptible joints Thermobending

High resistance to Low weight High fire resistance Resistant to bending

chemical influences

Resistant to Non-porous High mineral content High durability

extreme environments

37
38
 Air treatment

In the atmosphere and in our homes, there are certain gases which, due to pollution,
are dangerous to humans and the environment itself. These gases are, specifically, the
nitrous oxides (NOx), sulphur oxides (SOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
It is usual in photocatalytic products to assess their activity by the degradation of air
pollutants. One of the main pollutants studied in this chapter is the degradation of the
nitrous oxides (NOx) in photocatalytic conditions.

KRION® K·LIFE 1100

NOX
H2 O
SOX
VOCs
Mineral
Salts
CO2

39
 Accreditation of NOx degradation
ISO 22197-1:2007

A test for disposal of nitrous oxides has been carried out in accordance with ISO
22197-1:2007 “Test method for air-purification performance of semiconducting
photocatalytic materials, removal of nitric oxide”, in various technology centers and
accredited laboratories such as the International Photocatalyst Standards Testing
Centre and the SunCatalyst Laboratories.

The test conditions are those required by the regulations, both in temperature, relative
humidity, air flow, irradiation and amount of NO supplied. To be able to contextualize
and visualize the effect of the capacity for disposal of NOx, the tests on the samples
presented are compared to a covering of TIO2 on glass and a non-active material. In this
rule-based test the amount of micromoles of NOx is assessed that are disposed by the
material during the test.

0.32

0.28

0.24
NOx μdegraded moles

0.20

0.16

0.12

0.08

0.04

0.00
Non-active Covering of TiO2 on a
surface glass

The photocatalytic covering of TiO2 on glass manages to remove, in all the tests, 0.21
μmol of NOx. Krion® K·Life 1100 has been tested in different occasions providing mean
values higher or equal to 0.21 μmol of NOx.
All the Krion® K·Life 1100 results in the different tests carried out have given the result
that the material is ACTIVE against the removal of Nitrous oxides in accordance with
the applicable regulations.

40
 Decontaminating capacity of
Krion® K·Life 1100

KRION® K·LIFE 1100

Introduction
The ISO tests are carried out under standardized ISOs but understanding these data is
at times complex and previous training is required, which is why we decided to subject
Krion® K·life 1100 to more up-to-date tests that occur on a regular basis in our daily lives
and so we are able to show, in a more understandable way, how and how much K·life
can contribute to our lives.
To demonstrate the decontaminating capacity of Krion® K·life 1100 we have carried out
an experiment in a controlled atmosphere where we use pollution values closely related
to those we tend to suffer in our cities, and we find Krion® K·life 1100 transformed into
something as commonplace as a table and some chairs. To carry out this test we have
counted on CEAM, a center with much experience in assessing photocatalytic materials
and with a EUPHORE reactor to carry out these tests with guarantees.
Focus and scope
The main objective is to find out the difference in the reduction of NOx in one
environment and under equal conditions when we use Krion® K·Life 1100 and a solid
conventional surface.
The main objective of this experiment is to assess the decontaminating effectiveness
of 4.4 m2 of Krion® K·life 1100 solid surface, contained in a life-size table and 8 chairs,
in an atmospheric simulation chamber of 200 m3, using natural light, and introducing
initial concentrations of 110 ppb of NO and NO2, typical of a very polluted atmosphere in
a big city. The assessment will be performed by comparing the two substrates of equal
size and shape, one of them performed under the KEAST technology and another not,
studying only the reduction of NOx.

41
Description of the experiment.
With the objective of studying the reducing power of nitrogen oxides (NOx) of Krion®
K·life 1100, three experiments were carried out over six days in one of the EUPHORE
simulation chambers
Experiment 1

DAY 1 DAY 2
Installation of photocatalytic material in Experiment with the photocatalytic
the thoroughly clean simulation chamber, material. Introduction of 110 ppb NOx (50
conditioned with purified air, dry and free ppb NO and 60 ppb NO2) into the chamber
of pollutants. The table top and 8 chairs to create a similar pollution scenario to
made with Krion® K·life 1100 are installed, one in a big city The outer dome is opened
with a total surface area of 4.4 m2, of and the material for assessment exposed
which 2.2 m2 corresponds to the exposed to sunlight. The initial relative humidity is
surface of the table, and the rest to the at 50%. On completion of the experiment
surface of the chairs (backrests and seat). the outer dome is closed.
The outer dome is closed to shut out
daylight.
Experiment 2

200m3

DAY 3 DAY 4
Experiment with the photocatalytic Washing is performed with Milli-Q water
material(Replica). Introduction of 110 by sprinkling the photocatalytic material
ppb NOx (50 ppb NO and 60 ppb NO2). and collected for further analysis of
The outer dome is opened and exposed nitrites and nitrates in the water. The
to sunlight. Initial relative humidity 50% . photocatalytic material is removed and the
On completion of the experiment the outer table and chairs made of a conventional,
dome is closed. non photocatalytic solid surface installed.
Once installed a general cleaning is carried
out of the chamber, leaving it in conditions
of purified air, dry, free of pollutants and
with the outer dome closed to prevent
light from entering.
42
Experiment 3

200m3 200m3

DAY 5 closed.
Experiment with the non photocatalytic DAY 6
material. Introduction of 110 ppb of NOx
Washing is performed with Milli-Q water by
(50 ppb NO and 60 ppb NO2).The outer
sprinkling the non photocatalytic material
dome is opened and the material to be
for further analysis of nitrites and nitrates
assessed is exposed to sunlight. Initial
in the collected water. Removal.
relative humidity 50%. On completion of
the experiment the outer dome is again

KRION® K·LIFE 1100

Technical description
As a general rule organic compounds, when exposed to sunlight, end up breaking
down due to photodegradation, and in this case, as it is a closed environment and there
is no extra intake of “pollution” as would occur in real life, the amount of NOx will become
degraded naturally.
Relative humidity (RH)
The relative humidity is maintained for all the experiments at around 45-47% on average.
The relative humidity depends on the temperature. On exposing the simulation chamber
to sunlight, an increase in temperature occurs as the day progresses, which causes a
reduction in the relative humidity. This is why water was re-introduced throughout the
experiment to compensate for these losses.
Radiation
The radiation during the experiments was determined by a filter radiometer. The
difference in the average of radiation during the time over which the different materials
were exposed did not exceed 2% and therefore can be considered equivalents.

43
Results
Development of total nitrogen oxides (NOx)
The performance of degradation of the nitrogen oxides was analyzed, in both scenarios,
and the result is given in the following graph.
140

120

100

80

60
NOx [ppb]

40

20

0
6:00 AM 7:00 AM 8:00 AM 9:00 AM 10:00 AM 11:00 AM 12:00 PM 1:00 PM 2:00 PM 3:00 PM 4:00 PM
Time

Conventional Solid Surface

Conclusions
From the data obtained we can conclude that there is a greater reduction of nitrogen
oxides in the chamber with the Krion® K·life 1100 compared with the chamber that had
a conventional solid surface. The reduction of NOx observed per hour is an average of
12.3% higher for the photocatalytic materials compared with the non photocatalytic
materials.

44
 140.00

120.00

100.00

80.00
NOx [ppb]

60.00

40.00

20.00

0.00
6:00 AM 7:00 AM 8:00 AM 9:00 AM 10:00 AM 11:00 AM 12:00 PM 1:00 PM 2:00 PM 3:00 PM 4:00 PM

Conventional Solid Surface

100% 58%

KRION® K·LIFE 1100

140.00

120.00

100.00

80.00
NOx [ppb]

60.00

40.00

20.00

0.00
6:00 AM 7:00 AM 8:00 AM 9:00 AM 10:00 AM 11:00 AM 12:00 PM 1:00 PM 2:00 PM 3:00 PM 4:00 PM

Conventional Solid Surface

Interpretation of data
From one test (Krion® K·life 1100 ) to another (conventional solid surface)
we conclude that in the same scenario and conditions, in a period of 6 hours
Krion® K·life 1100 accelerates the decontamination by 42% versus the non
photocatalytic conventional solid surface.

45
Technical annex.
The installation where the assessment was performed consists of two twin
photochemical simulation chambers in real urban conditions, located inside the CEAM
Foundation building. Each one consists of a hemispherical structure of Teflon with a
volume of about 200 m3. The chambers are constructed with a 013 mm thick sheet
of fluoro-ethylene-propylene (FPE) made up of 32 individual solid segments so that it
achieves the hemispherical shape. This sheet has the capacity to transmit more than
80% of the solar radiation in the range between 280 nm and 640 nm (next UV-visible).
These bands of the spectrum constitute the ranges of radiation that greater power
supplies to the chemical reactions that take place in the photo-oxidation processes of
the troposphere. In addition, Teflon is a chemically inert material and constitutes the
best option for preventing uncontrolled reactions of the trace gases inside the walls of
the chambers.

To reduce the effects of the wind on the walls of the reactor, the chambers operate
within a pressurized enclosure of 100-200 Pa. Also, an internal structure made of epoxy
resin pipes maintains the hemispherical shape of the Teflon sheet in the absence of
this overpressure as well as a collapsible outer dome to allow light to pass through it
or not, as well as protect the chamber from adverse weather conditions. The floor of
the chamber consists of 32 symmetrical aluminum panels covered with a sheet of FPE
which is sealed with the hemispherical bag using a rubber cord. The ports of entry of the
reagents and the sample collections for the different analytical instruments are located
on the floor of the chambers.
One of the technical innovations included in this installation is the integrated cooling
system on the floor of the chambers, which compensates for the heating of the internal
air which induces the incoming solar radiation. Furthermore, it has two large fans which
enable correct homogenization of the pollutant compounds inside the chamber.
The simulation chambers are equipped with a large number of analytical instruments

46
that can analyze the volatile organic compounds (VOCs), ozone (O3), nitrogen monoxide
(NO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), hydroperoxides, aldehydes, ketones and organic carboxylic
acids. For in-situ measurements, the installation has very sensitive and selective
technologies such as LP-FTIR and the DOAS LP-UV/VIS spectroscopy.
For detailed and highly sensitive analysis of the trace gas reaction products, we can use
different ozone and nitrogen oxide (NOx) monitors, as well as formaldehyde (HCHO) and
nitrous acid (HONO) monitors, as well as the LOPAP monitor, GC-MS chromatographs
and GC-MS/MS systems that directly show the gas phase, using pre-concentration
or capture technology. In order to measure the OH and HO2 radicals, the installation
is equipped with a Laser-induced Fluorescence (LIF) that has excellent performance
in studying the formation of radicals and the cyclical processes responsible for the
formation of ozone and photo-oxidants.
In order to measure the formation of aerosols from volatile organic compounds (VOCs),
biogenic or anthropogenic precursors, during their oxidation, the EUPHORE installation
is equipped with an SMPS system and a tapered element oscillating monitor (TEOM)
that determines the particle size distribution and the mass concentration of aerosols.
There are also other off-line technologies available such as HPLC and LC-MS or GC-MS
for the analysis of different compounds, both in the gas and particle phase.

KRION® K·LIFE 1100

47
 Bactericide

The bacteria are usually present in our environment, tending to form colonies and
growing in any spaces that favor them, as happens in porous materials, in joints or
surfaces difficult to clean, which may lead to the development of diseases dangerous
to our health.
Until now, Krion® and its low porosity, low water absorption and absence of any joints
has meant that bacteria, fungi and micro-organisms do not grow in the material… These
properties are key to determining aseptic environment, such as those in kitchens, clinics,
bathrooms...
Nowadays, thanks to its photocatalytic properties, the material has become active
against bacteria and their elimination.

48
 Accreditation of anti-bacterial activity
ISO 27447:2009

Test 27447:2009 “Test method for antibacterial activity of semiconducting

photocatalytic materials”, has been performed in different laboratories such as the
Valencian Institute of Microbiology (IVAMI) or at the Technical University of Liberec
through the assessment of the Escherichia coli.

Experimental conditions
The procedure was carried out on Krion® K·Life 1100 and on a conventional solid
surface during a contact time of 8 hours. The intensity of radiation is 0.25 mW/cm2
from a fluorescent lamp BLB, at a controlled temperature in the range of 18 - 25 ºC and
an incubation temperature of 35 ºC.
Three replicas for each test were carried out. The loss of micro-organisms due to
darkness and the effects of the UV radiation were assessed as a final step for the
contextualization of the photocatalytic results. After the test a greater removal of bacteria
was observed in the case of Krion® K·Life 1100 in comparison with a conventional solid
surface. This result is attributable to the photocatalytic effect provided by Krion® K·Life
1100 in comparison with the conventional solid surface.

KRION® K·LIFE 1100

BACTERIAL CONCENTRATION

3%

Time

Porous, proliferation Non-porous, non-proliferation

Specifically, it was an additional elimination above 3 % for the case of Staphylococcus

aureus and higher than 2.4 % for the Escherichia coli.
The following image shows a simulation of the reduction in micro-organisms on a
specimen during the duration of the test.

Conclusion
Following the test and with the data obtained, the photocatalytic activity of the material
could be verified. Concluding that the material with Krion® K·life 1100 is ACTIVE
against the acceleration in the elimination of micro-organisms following standard ISO
27447:2009

49
 Disposal of chemical products

Chemical products are everywhere nowadays: in our air, in our water, in our food, in our
furniture... In some cases they are highly dangerous and every time and are increasingly
shown as the cause of diseases such as Parkinson’s, leukemia, myeloma, neurological
disorders, cancer).
Using the new technology present in Krion® K·Life 1100 it has been possible to eliminate
a large number of compounds dangerous to our health such as pesticides and chemical
products present in our environment and especially in the food we consume.

100%
It has been proved that the new new
Krion® K·Life 1100 can degrade up to
100% of these dangerous compounds.

50
51
KRION® K·LIFE 1100
 Degradation of organic compounds
ISO 10678:2010

Degradation of methylene blue and rhodamine B.

The methylene blue is a colorant originally for the textile industry, and is currently the
compound used to carry out various photocatalytic activity tests according to standards
ISO 10678:2010 “Determination of photocatalytic activity of surfaces in an aqueous
medium by degradation of methylene blue”.
Rhodamine B is a colorant with the special characteristic of having fluorescence and
is used for marking and monitoring liquids. It can be used to assess the photocatalytic
activity of a material under standard ISO 10678:2010.
It is usual for the photocatalytic activity of a material to be assessed through the
degradation of these chemical products. These compounds are used because they are
likely to be eliminated under photocatalytic conditions and because they go from having
a very intense color to being transparent when they are fully eliminated.
These tests have been carried out in:

Experimental conditions
For the correct study of the degradation of Rhodamine B and methylene blue, the same
process was carried out in parallel, but using a conventional solid surface. The objective
of this test is to quantify the effect of photolysis present for both cases.
Photolysis is the process of degradation of organic compounds due to the presence
of radiation, especially UV. This effect can be observed in the loss of coloration of the
sample without any other type of agent present than that of the UV radiation. In the
results, this will be reflected in the loss of linearity in the concentration of the compound
over time.
The dissolutions were among those located on the surface of the Conventional Solid
Surface and on the Krion® K·Life 1100. They were left for 2 hours in the darkness to bring
about surface adsorption. After this time, the light was switched on and the aliquots
collected every 30 minutes to measure the evolution of concentration of Rhodamine B
and methylene blue.

Solid Surface
Conventional Solid Surface Conventional

52
 Spectrometer UV-VIS

Results
While extracting the aliquots it was possible to see with the naked eye the variation

KRION® K·LIFE 1100

in the concentration both of Rhodamine B and methylene blue due to the loss of
coloration, which is more advanced for the case of Krion® K·Life 1100.

After collecting the aliquots for 300 minutes and analyzing them with a UV-VIS
spectrometer, the variation of the concentration in ppm against the time in minutes could
be represented graphically.

53
 Variation in the concentration of Rhodamine B with the exposure time

4
RB CONCENTRATION (ppm)

0
0 30 60 90 120 150 180 210 240 270 300

TIME (min)

79% Conventional Solid Surface 95%

Variation in the concentration of methylene blue with the exposure time

10

8
AM CONCENTRATION (ppm)

0
0 30 60 90 120 150 180 210 240 270 300

TIME (min)

81% Conventional Solid Surface 96%

54
Conclusions
Following the experiment carried out we can draw a number of conclusions:
An increase in photocatalytic activity was shown to present in Krion® K·Life 1100 with
KEAST technology, being an ACTIVE surface against a conventional solid surface.
This technology and strategy followed by the KEAST technology is valid for developing
photocatalytic activity of the material.
This photocatalytic activity has demonstrated in this study, through degradation of
organic dies through activation by ultraviolet light.
As it is a photocatalytic material, we can say that it has the properties of these materials
such as self-cleaning, antibacterial and degradation of compounds in liquid and gas
phase.

KRION® K·LIFE 1100

Solid Surface
Conventional

55
Degradation of Pesticides
Pesticides are compounds that help prevent the presence of pests in food crops. These
compounds are completely necessary for maintaining a productive and prosperous
system, but are also chemical compounds requiring monitoring. These compounds
may also be harmful to people.
For this reason, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), has drawn up a list of
substances approved and non-approved for control. This is why it is necessary to have
these chemical products within some parameters commensurate with the safety of
individuals.
In agri-food control laboratories, the analysis of fruits and vegetables for consumption
is carried out. In them, checks are made to ensure that none of these compounds is
present in the food or that their concentrations are within the permissible limits.
At KRION we have carried out a pioneering study of degradation of pesticides as a result
of the photocatalytic effect. To date, the ISO standards do not include a methodology or
procedure for this determination. From KRION, we think it is important not only to have
control of the list of substances and their concentrations, but also that it is necessary
to reduce the concentration of these compounds present in fruits and vegetables of
everyday use.
In an adaptation of the standard ISO 10678:2010 “Determination of photocatalytic
activity of surfaces in an aqueous medium by degradation of methylene blue”, in the
accredited laboratory International Laser, it was possible to quantify the reduction of the
concentration of these pollutants by the action of Krion® K·Life 1100.

This is why we base ourselves at all times on the rest of the ISO standards relating to
photocatalysis and applying it to the whole range of common pesticides, an exhaustive
degradation study was carried out.
The pesticides were deposited superficially and through activation using photocatalytic
light the power of degradation was assessed for each one of them.

56
Results
In this study, it could be observed that, on exposing Krion® K·Life 1100 under photocatalytic
conditions, the reduction in the concentration of a large number of pesticides assessed
was over 60%, sometimes reaching 100%.

100

75
% DEGRADATION

50

25

KRION® K·LIFE 1100

0
PESTICIDES

Conclusions
For these conditions and, depending on the photolysis and resistance to each compound
to be degraded, some varied but very positive results are generated in the majority of
cases.
From among the long list of pesticides studied, compounds in common usage stand out
and are present in many cases in food samples. These are compounds like Aclonifen
(63 %), Chlorpyrifos (98 %) Endosulfan (66 %), Malathion (54 %), Metalaxyl (69 %) and
Sulfotep (43 %).

57
 Easy cleaning

The property of easy cleaning or self-cleaning as set out

in ISO 27448:2009, understood as the increased ease in
removing a pollutant on the surface of a photocatalytic
material in comparison with another that is not.

58
 Test for calculating the drop angle
ISO 27448:2009

To exemplify this property, the test of the drop angle calculation was carried out on
Krion® K·Life 1100 in consistent with ISO 27448:2009 “Measurement of water contact
angle”, at the accredited international laboratory Photocatalyst Standards Testing Centre
(IPS). According to international standards.

The property of easy cleaning or self-cleaning as set out in ISO 27448:2009, understood
as the increased ease in removing a pollutant on the surface of a photocatalytic material
in comparison with another that is not. Through the measurement of the water drop
angle.

KRION® K·LIFE 1100

Drop angle
Conditions of the experiment
According to the regulations we can assess the photocatalytic effect of a material if it is
capable of modifying the drop angle on its surface on irradiating UV light. The effect is
due to the change in wettability on the surface due to the effect of the radiation.
This change is known as the superhydrophobic effect due to photoinduction. This
effect defines the photocatalytic activity of a material on modifying the angle of a drop
deposited on the surface as a function of time.
In the test performed, the initial drop angle is measured and the then again after 48
hours. In this rule-based test two samples of Krion® K·Life 1100 are tested and their
results compared with a highly self-cleaning material and another corresponding to a
flat, non-photocatalytic glass.

59
Results
The results of the test carried out with Krion® K·Life 1100 shows a reduction in said
angle, as we can see in the graph.

80

70

60
CONTACT ANGLE (º)

50

40

30

20

10

SELF-CLEANING PLAIN GLASS

INITIAL ANGLE FINAL ANGLE REDUCTION

PLAIN GLASS 79.07º 76.00º 3%

KRION® K·LIFE 1100 47.16º 24.35º 49%

SELF-CLEANING 52.52º 4.26º 92%

Conclusions
After the test and with the data obtained, it was possible to verify the photocatalytic
activity of the material, concluding that the material with Krion® K·Life 1100 is ACTIVE
on facilitating the cleaning of its surfaces by following standard ISO 27448:2009.

60
 Degradation of substances
of everyday use

For this study, the photocatalytic degradation will be determined for products considered
to be in contact with a solid surface in their day-to-day use.
This study has been carried out by the Institute of Chemical Technology of Valencia

Firstly, we have a series of compounds representing common colorants.

KRION® K·LIFE 1100

Substance
Alizarin is a compound widely used as a reddish colorant,
especially common in hair dyes.

Chlorophyll is a compound that is present in plants and/

or vegetables and is widely known for its essential role in
photosynthesis.

Nicotine, widely known for its presence in cigarettes.

Blood. Hematoporphyrin is a molecule found in the blood with

a typically brown color.

Tomato, one of the main stains present in our kitchens.

61
For this study the staining on Krion® K·Life 1100 was carried out in parallel with
photocatalytic technology and also on a conventional solid surface to see the difference
between the degradation on these two surfaces.
Each stain was applied to each sample in two different concentrations to have control
of the whole range of speeds of degradation.

Stain with greater

concentration of
substance

Stain with lower

concentration of
substance

The various organic products were introduced in dissolution, depositing one drop on the
surface and waiting for it to dry. Once dry, the stains were subjected to photocatalytic
testing under radiation. The radiation selected was monochromatic ultraviolet at 380
nm with a radiation of 24 W/cm2. The atmosphere during the experiment was ambient
for similar standard conditions of use.
The test was carried out over 21 days, taking regular images to see the evolution in each
case.

62
Results
Shown below are the results following 21 days of irradiation on the conventional solid
surface (table 1) and on Krion® K·Life 1100 (table 2) for each one of the organic products
at 2 different concentrations. The top of the sample has the greatest stain concentration
and the bottom part has the stain with the lowest concentration.

Conventional solid surface sample

The results of the conventional solid surface samples. The reason for this non
photocatalytic test is to assess the degradation of the stains as a result of the photolysis.
This degradation is due to the exposure of the stain itself to ultraviolet radiation. The
activity of an active sample such as Krion® K·Life 1100 should be assessed by comparing
it with an inactive sample, and see the difference in effect.
As we can see in table 1, most of the stains remain at two concentrations after 21 days
of exposure. Just for the case of the chlorophyll, we can see a considerable degradation
before reaching the end of the test. The degradation observed is the effect of the
photochemical oxidation reaction in the presence of ambient oxygen.

KRION® K·LIFE 1100

Chlorophyll

Day 0 Day 21

Table 1. Result with conventional solid surface.

Alizarin Chlorophyll Nicotine Blood Tomato

Day 0

Day 1

Day 2

Day 7

Day 14

Day 21

63
Sample Krion® K·LIFE 1100
Observing the evolution of each type of organic product, we can make several groups
of results.
In the first place we would have the stains of alizarin and chlorophyll.
These stains as seen at 21 days have completely disappeared after the 21 days, even
the most concentrated ones.
Comparing the speed of degradation for each stain, we can see that the alizarin and
chlorophyll stains are the first ones to be degraded in scarcely 24 hours.

Alizarin Chlorophyll

Day 0 Day 1 Day 0 Day 1

Later, we find a group of stains consisting of nicotine, blood and tomato and that after
21 days the stain of lower concentration has disappeared and the one with greater
concentration is still present, but at much lower intensity.

Nicotine Blood

Day 0 Day 21 Day 0 Day 21

Tomato

Day 0 Day 21

64
Table 2. Result with Krion® K·LIFE 1100

Alizarin Chlorophyll Nicotine Blood Tomato

Day 0

Day 1

Day 2

Day 7

Day 14

KRION® K·LIFE 1100

Day 21

65
Table 3. Results with conventional solid surface.

Table 4. Results with Krion® K·LIFE 1100

66
Conclusions
The objective of this project is to record the photocatalytic activity of samples of Krion®
K·Life 1100 provided by KRION in comparison with a conventional solid surface, through
the acquisition of graphic documents that prove the efficacy of these elements.
As we have seen, the use of those of Krion® with KEAST technology accelerate
considerably the degradation by degradation caused by irradiation of colorant light and
common stains.
The graphic evidences show that the action of this technology can degrade some of
these substances within 24 hours, while other more persistent ones need several weeks.

KRION® K·LIFE 1100

67
68
 It is still Krion®

KRION® K·LIFE 1100

Whenever a change is made to a product a testing exercise is required in which an
assessment is made as to whether these changes will have a beneficial impact on the
clients and if these changes involve changes in earlier work done. With Krion® K·life
1100 special care has been taken to preserve all the properties already held by the
Snow White 1100 model and 4 more properties were added, provided they respect the
previous ones. That is why we affirm that Krion® K·Life 1100 continues to be Krion® but
with the uniqueness of adding 4 differentiating, exclusive properties:

Air purification Bactericide Disposal of Easy

chemical products cleaning

69
 Mechanical Properties

From the extensive list describing the mechanical properties of Krion® K·Life 1100, it is
worth insisting on the bending strength and the impact of the material, achieved thanks
to the unique formulation and production process.

The bending strength of Krion® K·Life 1100, defined as 73 Mpa, allows the material to
have various applications over and above coatings and decorative elements. To that
effect, it is advisable to carry out a preliminary study to validate and check any proposals
for specific mechanical demand.

It is possible to bend sheets of Krion® K·Life 1100 in cold. This option may be considered
for radii of 1800 mm in 12 mm thick plates and reduced to 900 mm in 6 mm thick plates.

The high impact resistance of Krion® K·Life 1100 allows the material to absorb the
energy produced by possible shocks or impacts without any breakage. Krion® K·Life
1100 12 mm can satisfactorily pass a test that consists of repeating 10 impacts at a
height of 1900 mm.

73 Mpa
Tensile strength is the property
most relevant for determining the
performance of the designs created
with solid surfaces.

70
 High tensile strength in the joint

Using Krion® adhesive, the tensile strength in the joint between Krion® sheets is almost
double that shown by conventional solid surfaces.

The test, carried out in the laboratories approved by the CSTB: Centre Scientifique et
Technique du Bâtiment shows that the tensile strength of Krion® remains stable after
subjecting the material to moisture and UV aging tests.

Thickness Initial tensile

Material Tensile strength following aging (MPa)
(mm) strength (MPa)
Conventional
12 10 9
Solid Surface
Krion® 12 18 18

KRION® K·LIFE 1100

18 MPa

71
 Fire performance

Excellent fire performance, material of limited contribution to fire and self-

extinguishing.

The composition with high concentration in natural minerals of high quality make Krion®
a perfect ally as far as safety is concerned.

KRION, has carried out relevant tests, at international institutions of recognized prestige
for providing data relating to said fire performance parameters.

STANDARD PROPERTIES Krion®

EUROCLASS UNE 13501 B s1 d0

NFPA 101 Fire performance Class A

DIN 4102-1 B1 Unrestricted

NFPA 259/ ISO 1716 Calorific potential 9.3 MJ/Kg

ASTM D1929 Flash point 440 ºC

Flame propagation/smoke gen-

ASTM E84 0/5
eration

B-s1,d0
Ensures we have a high
level of quality, given that
the material in the event of
fire does not emit toxic or
dense smoke (s1) which
make evacuation difficult.

72
 PROPERTY STANDARD RESULT

Specific heat UNE-EN 23721 1.361 J/g · K

Thermal resistance UNE-EN 12667 0.064 m2 · K/W

Naval IMO Certificate Mod.B & Mod. D

Naval. Toxicity of the smoke IMO FPTC Part 2 Pass

Ventilated facade UNE-EN 13501-1 B-s1,d0

Fire performance UNE-EN 13501-1 B-s1,d0 (without support)

UL94HB Pass

KRION® K·LIFE 1100

Flammability
UL94V V0

Flame propagation 0
Burnt surface ASTM E84 (NFPA 255)
Smoke developed 5

Flame propagation 0
Surface of floor burned CAN/ULC-S102.2
Smoke developed 0

Fire classification DIN 4102-1 B1 Unrestricted

Calorific potential ISO 1716 / NFPA 259 9.3 MJ/kg

Ignition NFPA 268 Pass

Flammability. Surface combustion

NFPA 101 Class A
feature of construction materials

Flame ignition temperature ASTM D1929 440 ºC

Self-ignition temperature ASTM D1929 490ºC

Single test of item in combus-

tion for building materials and GB/T20284-2006 Pass
products

Gosudarstvennyy Standard GOST Pass

73
 Color stability

Color stability is one of the main assumptions that characterize Krion®. KRION
pays particular attention to this characteristic and sets stringent controls based on
continuous measurements of L, a, b and ΔE while establishing some comprehensive
limits so that changes in tone, if any, will be as imperceptible as possible. The human eye
is capable of sensing millions of colors, but every individual perceives them in different
ways, and these different perceptions are problematic for manufacturers. Thus, color
spaces appear. L, a, b is a color space defined by the CIE (Commission Internationale
de l'Éclairage), an organization considered to be the authority on the science of light
and color. Numbering is used to express the color of an object and in this way it can be
expressed and communicated objectively. (L) indicates luminosity, (a) is the coordinate
that crosses from red to green and (b) the coordinate that crosses from red to blue:

The numerical comparison of one sample with the standard is the difference in color. To
determine the difference in color between the 3 coordinates L, a, b, a formula is applied
that gives us the result ΔE, which will be the one we use to tell us the total magnitude
of the color change. KRION, with its comprehensive controls in the production process
ensures that your sheets of Krion® can have the maximum of variations in tone never
exceeding an ΔE of 1 in sheets of the same production batch and a ΔE < 2 for sheets
of the same color but from a different batch. Standard ISO 12647-2 is for regulating the
color standards and, among many other definitions, addresses the tolerance thresholds
for the ΔE:

ΔE of 1 ΔE < 2
Krion® shows a variation of tone Krion® shows a variation of tone
in sheets of the same production in sheets of the same color but
batch. different batch.

∆E QUALITY ∆E QUALITY
<1 Excellent 4-5 Sufficient
1-2 Good >5 Poor (other color)
2-4 Normal

74
 Ultra-white

Krion® K·Life 1100 enjoys some levels of whiteness that are unusual in other materials
cataloged as solid surfaces. These levels are considered very close to what is understood
as the theoretical perfect white.

L a b
Perfect white 100 0 0
Krion K·LIFE 1100
®
95.37 -1.01 0.86

NOTE: These values are endorsed in the KRION laboratories in accordance with the international standards and using
calibrated measurement equipment (Spectrophotometer BYK model Sphere Gloss & X-Rite Ci6x UV).

95.37

KRION® K·LIFE 1100

The luminosity (L) is the degree of
light that any color is capable of
reflecting. With 0 a perfect black
and 100 perfect theoretical white.

100

75
 Reflectance Value

The light reflectance value LRV of Krion® K·Life 1100 the light reflectance value
LRV of Krion® 88.00, according to standard ASTM C609, Standard Test Method for
Measurement of Light Reflectance Value and Small Color Differences between Pieces of
Ceramic Tile.

The reflectance indicates the total amount of light reflected by a surface, when it is
illuminated by a light source, with 0% being the value that would correspond to absolute
black and 100 % to absolute white (within the 0-100% scale that represents the
reflectance).

NOTE: These values can be used to determine the visual contrast between the different
materials, where it is important for an object to be visually distinguishable. In addition
to these values, they are used to calculate the lighting requirements of a room. High
reflectance values in the materials used in ceilings, floors and walls reduce the lighting
requirements, as these materials help to reflect the existing light, both from lamps and
from natural daylight.

LRV 88
White-colored materials
contribute to better absorption
of heat due to the high light
reflection index, therefore it is
very useful as a solution for
improving the thermal enclosure
of the buildings.

76
 UV resistance

Krion® K·Life 1100 guarantees a very high color stability faced with prolonged exposure
to weathering. This has an ΔE value at 10 years lower than 1.5.
This value was obtained based on a series of laboratory tests that simulated the outdoor
installation of the material, and tests of exposure to the actual weather were also carried
out at installations of recognized international prestige located at parts of the planet
with extreme and particular climates;

1. Accelerated artificial aging test using QSUN chamber according to standard ISO
4892-2. Methods of exposure to laboratory light sources, Part 2: Xenon arc sources.

2. Accelerated artificial aging test using QUV chamber according to standard ISO
4892-3. Methods of exposure to laboratory light sources, Part 3: Fluorescent UV lamps.

3. Natural aging test by exposure to direct sunlight. Radiation between 150-200 W/m2
in the experiment area.

4. Aging test of materials: Q-LAB Florida & Q-LAB ARIZONA. Approved according to
standard ISO 17025.

KRION® K·LIFE 1100

ΔE≤1.5
The degradation of color shall not
exceed a color gradient (AE) of 1.5
in the first 10 years, a value barely
perceptible to the human eye.

77
 Acoustic Insulation

Krion® K·Life 1100 has a few intrinsic physical features that make it into a product with
a high Acoustic Reduction Index rising to 33.5dB, according to accredited laboratory
tests and in accordance with ISO 717-1:2013. The properties that contribute to this
result are the high density (1750 kg/m3) and elasticity of the material, successfully
managing to behave as a membrane for acoustic energy dissipation. Other factors that
also favor its acoustic behavior are its zero-porosity and the type of joints.

Acoustic improvement on conventional partitions

The acoustic tests performed in the external laboratory accredited by ENAC and following
UNE EN ISO 10140-1:2011 Annex G, certify that the application of 12mm thick Krion®
as cladding over standard vertical enclosures results in an acoustic reduction between
rooms (Δ R/A DB-HR) of between 8-10 dBA.

Following the LAW OF MASS ACTION theory (6 dBA reduction each time the thickness
of a partition is doubled), and thanks to the use of Krion® as a vertical enclosure, an
improvement in the acoustic performance of the integral system has been achieved.
In comparative terms, with regard to acoustic performance, the adhesion of Krion® to a
standard enclosure of between 8-10 cm would have an insulation equivalent to that of
a standard 25 cm enclosure.

33.5 dBA

78
 Thermoforming possibilities

Krion® K·Life 1100 has a very high thermobending capacity, managing to achieve
minimum internal radii of 13 mm and shapes in 3 maximum dimensions.

NOTE: In the Transformer Manual there is a series of guidelines and fundamental

procedures recommended for carrying out the the thermobending process correctly.

The heating time and temperature depend on the thickness of sheet to be thermoformed
and the complexity of the design. In a simple design with very large radii, it will be
possible to thermobend it by applying just 130 ºC. For smaller and more pronounced
radii, temperatures close to 160 ºC will be required.

KRION® K·LIFE 1100

R13 mm

79
 Bacteriostatic

Krion® can be classified as an aseptic material due to its zero-porosity and easy clean-
ing, and the fact that sepsis or contamination from bacteria and other germs cannot
proliferate on its surface. Several types of tests were carried out to certify these qualities
of Krion®.

1.- Zero-porosity
To demonstrate zero-porosity throughout its mass, water absorption methods or tests
are used such as ASTM D570 where a specimen is introduced into the water for a min-
imum of 24 hours and weighed before and after to find out the amount of water ab-
sorbed where the result is 0.07%.

A similar test is also carried out but instead of water at ambient temperature, it is carried
out with boiling water to accelerate the absorption process and make the material dilate,
with possible cracks opening up or other anomalies. The part in question is introduced
into the boiling water for 2 hours with the result lower than 0.07%.

2 - Easy cleaning
The easy cleaning and non absorption of liquids in Krion® is also proved by several tests
such as:

· Wear & Cleanability CSA & IAMPO.

· Resistance to the staining/cleanability NEMA LD3.
· Resistance to chemical agents ISO 19712.
· Resistance to staining in bathroom products UNE 56867.

< 0.07%
Zero-porosity. By water absorption
tests such as ASTM D570 we
demonstrate the zero-porosity of
Krion®

80
3.- Non-proliferation of organisms.
Through standard ASTM G-22 the resistance of bacteria has been determined of Krion®,
testing for the bacteria Pseudomona Aeruginosa which is a Gram-negative bacterial
species, with unipolar motility. It is a pathogenic opportunist in humans and also in
plants. The result of the test after 21 days is that there is no visible growth on the
surface of the agar underneath the samples. With standard ASTM G-21 the resistance
of the fungi of Krion® is tested, with several of them such as:

· Penicillium pinophilum is another species of fungus discovered in New Guinea.

·Aspergillus Niger is a fungus that produces a black mold on vegetables - very

common in lettuce, the tomato or the chard and lemon-. One of the most
current species of the genus Aspergillus, it is a ubiquitous black fungus similar
to yeast that can be found in various environments such as soil, water, air and
limestone. It is used in the biological control of disease in plants, especially
disease during storage.

· Gliocladium virens is a genus of asexual fungi. The majority of the pathogenic

KRION® K·LIFE 1100

and disease-causing fungi in humans are mitosporic, such as Gliocladium.
Gliocladium is filamentous, grows in a tubular, elongated and string-like manner.
It can be considered a pollutant.

· Chaetomium globosum is a well-known member of the Chaetomiaceae family

of molds. It is a saprophyte fungus that mainly resides in plants, soil, straw and
manure. There are human allergens and opportunist agents of nail mycosis
and neurological infections.

The test consists of keeping the samples for 30 days at 30ºC and at 90%
moisture and check that, following 30 days of testing, none of the samples
with each one of the fungi and the pattern do not show fungal growth on the
surface.

Construction materials exposed to environmental conditions and/

or with a poor maintenance can lead to the microbial growth. A
test protocol was established to determine how susceptible or
resistant a product can be to microbial growth, based on ASTM
Standard D6329. Microbial growth is measured with time, and
the results indicate whether a product is likely to support
microbial growth under these pre-defined environmental
conditions. This tests consist of inoculating on the surface
of the material Penicillium Brevi-Compactum and keep it for
3 weeks at 25ºC and at 95% humidity. Resulting in the fact
that Krion® is a material resistant to microbial growth.

81
 Translucency Level

Krion® K·Life 1100 has different values of translucency (ability to allow the light to pass
through a material) that may vary between 78-1200 Luxes depending on the thickness
of the material considered. The level of translucency increases exponentially with the
reduction in thickness. The following table shows the passage of light in luxes depending
on thickness.

TRANSLUCENCY ACCORDING TO THICKNESS

4 mm 6 mm 8 mm 10 mm 12 mm
1145 Lx 611 Lx 265 Lx 115 Lx 78 Lx

NOTE: Results checked with Luxometer Hanna model HI 97500.

The effect of backlighting required depends both on the thickness of the material and the
lighting system used (type of source, light power, recommended distances..). Therefore
it is very important to determine the type of lighting to use before carrying out the project
and checking that the desired effect is obtained. Review the “Transformer Manual” in the
translucency section.

Thanks to the many possibilities afforded by Krion® at the time of interacting with the
lighting, it is converted into an ideal material for use in environments in which a greater
role is given to the play between lights and shadows.

82
 Thermal conductivity

The thermal conductivity value (λ) of Krion® K·Life 1100 stands at 0.19 W/m2.

Krion® provides low thermal conductivity λ for improved efficiency, as the lower the
thermal conductivity level of a product or material, the more insulating it is. That is, the
better is its property to disrupt the flow of heat and the more efficient it is in preventing
heat loss (or heat gain in the case of cooling systems).

NOTE:Both the conductivity and the resistivity depend on the temperature of the material,
its density, the humidity of the environment, its internal structure and the air convection.

KRION® K·LIFE 1100

0.19 W/m2
Beyond the temperature of the
materials, the thermal conductivity is a
key factor in determining the thermal
sensation of contact perceived by the
users. Krion® has low heat conductivity
and is therefore warm to the touch.

WOOD 0.13 W/m2

Krion® 0.19 W/m2

LAMINATED PLASTER 0.25 W/m2

BRICK 0.80 W/m2

GLASS BLUE 1.00 W/m2

83
 Resistant to extreme conditions

In cold climates, the damage to building materials attributable to the action of ice
(freeze/thaw cycles) is one of the most important problems; resulting in significant
costs both in repairs and replacements.

In salty or humid areas where adhesion of salt crystals to materials causes damage due
to saline weathering, electrochemical attacks and corrosion.

Dry and desert conditions where high temperatures in combination with high ultraviolet
radiation causes great damage to many types of materials.

Extreme situations such as the seismic movements caused by earthquakes, the material
responds satisfactorily as we can see in the CSTB tests.

One of the reasons for which we claim that Krion® is a durable material is due to its
resistance to extreme conditions. Due to its physical-chemical properties derived from
a perfect combination of the natural mineral and the high resistance resin, the result
is a lack of porosity, a good expansion coefficient, a correct density and a consistent
homogeneity. These properties are certified by:

3200 hours
Test of salt spray. Continuous cycles
of spraying and stopping up to 3200
hours resulting in a material with the
same conditions that were introduced
before the test.

84
· Frost resistance test under standard ISO 10545-12 where an extra extreme
condition was applied. The standard marks cycles of -5 ºC to +5 ºC. Krion® was
tested at different temperatures of 40ºC, that is -20ºC to +20ºC and up to about
100 cycles in accordance with the standard. The result was that there was no
detachment, flaking, cracking or exfoliation, maintaining the material in perfect
conditions as at the start of the test.
25
20

15
Temperature/Temperature (ºC)

10

5
0
-5

-10

-15
-20

KRION® K·LIFE 1100

-25
06 0 120 180 240 300 360 420 480 540 600 660 720

Tiempo / Time (min)

Ciclo de helada efectuado / Freeze-Thaw performed

· Test of salt spray. In this test, it was attempted to simulate the effects of
saline environments that cause corrosion, flaking and saline weathering
caused by the peeling of the material when increasing the volume owing to the
crystallization of dissolved salt.

The test is performed by spraying saline water inside the chamber at a given
temperature and concentration of salt set out in standard ISO-9227. Continuous
cycles of spraying and stopping were performed for up to 3200 hours, resulting
in a material with the same conditions that were introduced before the test.

· Crack-resistant according to EN438: The material is subjected for a long

time to temperatures of 80ºC and once the test is completed and the surface
analyzed with a 6x magnifying glass it was determined that the material does
not show any visible cracking on the surface.

· Seismic resistance according to CSTB MRF 17 26061183: One of the tests

for gaining the CSTB certification is the seismic resistance performed by
the mechanical division and fire resistance by the same organization CSTB.
In this test several panels are assembled, then stuck and joined together in
various shapes for subsequent testing. This consists of vibrating and moving
this structure by the simulation of a seismic movement from phase 1 a, an
acceleration of 3.5m/s2 to phase 8 of 16.5 m/s2. At the end of the test the
result is that no element detaches from the panel and there is no significant
degradation.

85
86
Benefits

BENEFITS

87
 We have explored and
incorporated new
technologies and practices
to provide better products
and experiences to our
clients and better value to
our investors.

88
 Benefits

Thanks to KEAST technology there is a real development in the production of solid

surface. Our contribution may seem limited, but therein lies something very big such as
being able to contribute towards improving the quality of life of our clients and users of
the creations into which Krion® K·life 1100 has been transformed.
We firmly believe that Krion® is the best option for carrying out any project of whatever
magnitude, but Krion® Klife 1100 is a unique and exclusive option that brings the
experience of the material to another level where there is direct benefit to the user. But
this is not the only benefit that Krion® K·life 1100 can offer. There are advantages at
different levels both for the person and for the organization considering using Krion®
K·life 1100 in its facilities. We have differentiated them into three parts: differentiation,
competitiveness and corporate social responsibility.

Profit
potential

Corporate
Differentiation Competitiveness Social
Responsibility

Creation of value Sustainable Reduction of civil

and image investment responsibility
Exclusivity and Design Cost / Benefit Respect for the
leading-edge environment
BENEFITS

Sustainable Improvement of
innovation health and well-
being

89
Differentiation
Innovation is the engine of development and the push towards competitiveness and
excellence in all productive sectors, in the global and very competitive market. Products,
materials and technologies of the latest generation are innovative tools that enable
business differentiation between competitors.

Creation of value and image

1
A brand can only be significant to the public if it brings real and tangible value to
people while generating value for its shareholders. One example that is focused on
consumers is the direct improvement to quality of life provided by our products
or services, including emotional, natural and social well-being... or in other words: what
the brand does for me.
Krion® has a very positive influence on the consumer or operator experience as it can at
times feel as though there is a predisposition towards respecting the environment and
towards feeling safer in these spaces, generating a more positive vision of the brand.
For this reason, Krion® K·Life 1100 is becoming a symbol that is recognized by the public
and which promotes some values that connect with many of our clients. This identity is
aligned with the image strategy of companies opting for strategies of commitment to
the environment.

Exclusivity and leading-edge

2
Krion® K·Life 1100 offers an additional feature to the generic benefit of conventional
solid surface materials, making it unique on the market. It is an intelligent
investment that enables it to stand out as a material of contemporary use and to
construct projects of a distinctive unique character and individual personality.
This innovation enables the construction of objects and buildings with very low
maintenance costs, greater profitability and productivity as well as the creation of a
healthier and happier environment for people to live and work in.

Sustainable innovation

3
There is a target market within the property sector dedicated to healthier and
more sustainable living, making their sale and promotion remarkably easier. In
this regard, there are many tools for assessing the environmental performance
and safety of buildings, which enable the recognition and differentiation of a product
on the market. LEED, BREEAM, VERDE and DGNB are some of the certifications that
accredit the high levels of sustainability achieved in the buildings. Other programs such
as WELL, FITWELL and RESET measure and certify the spaces constructed as healthy
and comfortable for the users.

90
 Krion® K·Life 1100 is an
innovative tool that enables
differentiation of products
and services even in the
most competitive markets

BENEFITS

91
 We are facing a new
paradigm that requires social
change, and a change in
vision of the products

92
Competitiveness
Sustainable investment

4
Investments in strategies and sustainability factors enable companies to generate
value in the short term and long term. As the factors of sustainability tend to
have long-term implications for the company’s performance, their inclusion in the
communications of the leading investors help change the time horizons of companies
and investments. In other words, they facilitate and accelerate the recovery of the
investment.
The international exchanges are demanding the inclusion of sustainability factors in the
corporate reports of the companies listed on the stock exchange. In this way, together
with the financial performance, aspects of environmental and social performance are
being incorporated.
Dow Jones or FTSE4 Good are some of the sustainable benchmark stock market
indexes that incorporate and assess “sustainable investments” made by the main
global companies.

Design Cost / Benefit

5
The eco design is a practice that consists of incorporating the environmental
factors in decision-making during the development of products, as an additional
factor to those which were contemplated, such as the costs or quality.
Krion® K·Life 1100 arises from this holistic view of the life cycle of the materials and
knowing the need to create buildings and installations that, in addition to allowing the
maintenance costs during their lifespan, turn out to be positive and beneficial for the
environment and for human beings. Ultimately, to design bearing in mind the whole life
cycle of the construction or product, permits evaluation of the options that reduce the
resources necessary i the medium and long term.
A sustainable installation of high profitability is an efficient construction. Some of the
factors and measurements that enable these savings and benefits are; high durability,
reduction in the need for maintenance and use of water, chemical products and energy,
high rate of solar reflectance for less heating of the enclosure and better thermal
performance, constructive flexibility to allow an easy spatial transformation of the
interiors in the light of a possible change of use, etc.
BENEFITS

93
Corporate Social Responsibility
Currently, this is in fact a high level commitment by citizens to their environment. A fact
that is extrapolating the business sector. Increasingly, a greater number of companies
carry out non profit making practices and actions for the benefit of the company. In
such a globalized world, these practices generate new challenges for the private sector
regarding its obligation and responsibility to society in general.

Reduction of Civil Responsibility

6
Clean and healthy buildings can also reduce the legal demands and civil responsibility
of the owner. Claims for fungi-legionella infections and other infections in sanitary
spaces or other resources are becoming more commonplace, stemming from
what is known as “sick building syndrome”. For this reason, the insurance companies
introduce safer and more efficient premiums and contributions.

Respect for the environment

7
Within the comprehensive concept of sustainability, the main environmental
challenges facing humanity are undoubtedly included, as is climate change,
desertification, resource depletion, loss of biodiversity and social challenges such
as poverty, inequality, migratory movements and human rights, among others.
KRION demonstrates its concern by incorporating measures that eventually result
in benefits for the environment and community. Studies of the life cycle analysis
of our products allows us to analyze their impact on the natural environment and to
understand the need to focus our efforts and investments into enabling the creation
of environmental benefits in other phases of the life cycle of the building. In this way,
the idea and the preliminary studies arise from what will end up being the patented
technological development KEAST® that allows the photocatalytic activity of our
material and the creation of a positive environmental impact on the environment.

Improvement of health and well-being

8
The sustainable constructions provide a healthier and more satisfactory work
environment for the users, creating beneficial atmospheres for all parties. The
companies are beginning to use the healthy and comfortable work spaces as a
powerful tool for recruiting and maintaining the best employees, while at the same time
significantly reducing absenteeism.
In this point, numerous studies report that improvements to the air quality and the
prevention of mold in work places could lower costs in terms of health and job losses due
to respiratory illnesses, allergies and asthma and other effects on health and comfort.
Krion® provides healthy and safe work spaces due to the low emissions of VOCs and the
absence of dangerous products in their composition.

94
Krion® K·Life 1100 intends
to give a response to this
paradigm by offering a
product that, as well as
increasing the comfort
BENEFITS

and well-being of users, is

long lasting and maintains
high performances

95
A product or project carried
out with Krion® K·life 1100
is sustainable as it reduces
the environmental impact
through an increase in
environmental efficiency in
its life
cycle

96
 Transparency, Safety and Impact

KRION Porcelanosa Group incorporates the ethics and sustainability of essential

conditions to ensure long term results. Transparency, safety, confidence and innovation
are four of the values of our corporate reputation.
Currently the R+D+i equipment of KRION is working around the world with
professionals specialized in various fields, academics, governments, other companies
and non-governmental organizations to promote scientific innovations that enable the
development of innovative solutions of long duration, that are sustainable and viable
according to our value chains. That’s why we are currently assessing all our suppliers to
identify the critical points in the supply chain.
Each year KRION strives to incorporate new sustainable aspects in all the phases
that make up the life cycle of our materials. Our commitment is firm, with continuing
innovation and challenges to the establishment to contribute to a safer, healthier and
more sustainable world.
Detailed below is the evidence that accredits the transparency, safety and impact of our
material on the health of people and the environment.

Transparency,
Safety
and Impact

Health Environment

Revelation and condition Analysis of the Life Cycle

content
Environmental product
Handling and contact declaration
VOC emissions EcoToxicity
BENEFITS

97
Health
Revelation and condition content
HPD
The health product declaration, (HPD) is a tool that allows compounds
of Krion® K·Life 1100 to be presented transparently and in a standardized
and normalized format. The HPD of KRION shows that it does not present
dangerous components and is verified by SCS Global Services, independent
third party.
DECLARE
Declare is a label of transparency and disclosure of content and health
of construction products, following the requirements of the Living Building
Challenge. In this “nutrition label”, accessible to the public, KRION clearly
provides the most relevant information with regard to composition and
possible risks of the same, providing effective communication between the
manufacturers, consultants and consumers of construction products and
materials.
FRIENDLYMATERIALS
FriendlyMaterials is a virtual library of sustainable materials created and
managed by PMMT Forward Thinking Healthcare Architecture. This is a tool
that assesses analytically the construction products based on the factors
that influence people’s health. Within this ranking, Krion® K·Life 1100 obtains
91 points above a maximum of 94 points, achieving a gold medal and
standing out as one of the healthiest coating materials on the market.
REACH
The REACH standard regulates chemical products that are being
manufactured or included as substances in mixtures and in finished products
on the EU market. Its main purpose is to guarantee a high level of protection
to human health and the environment. KRION accredits REACH regulatory
compliance through certification issued by external laboratory.

Handling and contact

PARTICLES
Regarding the transformation of the Krion® dust particles do not present
toxicity according to ISO 11348 and the material may be considered as free
of crystalline silica endorsed by the INS (National Institute of Silicosis).
Thus, the Krion dust generated during the cutting and sanding operations
must be treated as any other non-toxic dust, taking into account the use of
suitable PPEs (personal protective equipment) according to the Safety Sheet
and follow the recommendations of the transformer manual.
KRION regularly analyses its transformation processes along with the
technological institutes certified to know and recommend good practices in
its transformation.

98
 NSF
The NSF (National Science Foundation) certification, recognized organization
of the United States which issues health, hygiene and environmental
certificates, considers Krion® to be a safe material for direct contact with a
wide variety of foods, without posing any risk to health.

VOC emissions
GREENGUARD
This certificate granted by the Greenguard Environmental Institute,
guarantees that Krion® meets the standards of air quality with regard to
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) with respect to the sheets and also the
adhesives. The labels awarded are the “Indoor Air Quality Certification” and
the “Greenguard Children Schools Certified”.
A+
BENEFITS

In line with the Greenguard Institute, the French Government has created
the need to analyses the construction and furniture materials to determine
the degree of generation of VOCs (volatile organic compounds) inside the
buildings. In this way, some rigorous tests have been set up to classify the
different materials according to their emissions. Krion® K·Life 1100 has
obtained the highest classification, holding the label A+ that certifies it.

99
 The life cycle analysis
allows us to assess
the environmental
performance of our
materials and improve the
performance of our new
developments

100
Environment
Life Cycle Analysis
The life cycle analysis enables analysis and management from an environmental point
of view, in an objective and systematic manner, of the environmental impacts associated
with a product, process or activity from its manufacture to its disappearance as such.
Identifies, classifies and quantifies each one of the impacts from the material resources
and the energy involved in the complete cycle.

Inputs Process Outputs

• Raw materials • Extraction of raw • Emissions
materials
• Energy • Waste
• Production
• By-products
• Distribution
• Use/Maintenance
•End of life

KRION has incorporated this tool as essential criterion for the Eco-design and its
products, and to determine the environmental impacts associated to Krion® K·Life
1100 in all the phases of its life cycle. Following the reference framework of normative
reference UNE EN ISO 14040:2006 and UNE EN ISO 14044:2006, the inputs, outputs
and potential environmental impacts of the range of unitary processes connecting
materials and energy are collected and assessed during the useful life of the product
with a “cradle to the grave” approach, that is, from whenever the raw material is obtained
until its disposal as a product.
Likewise, the ACV, in addition to being a very useful tool in public policies such as the
circular economy, it is compatible with employment in other environmental footprints
such as carbon or water footprint.

BENEFITS

101
Environmental product declaration
Anenvironmental product declaration (EPD) is a
document that contains objective and transparent information
verified by a third party about a product with regard to its
environmental performance throughout its life cycle.
The content of the Krion® K·Life 1100 EPD is developed following
a standardized science-based methodology at international
level, for which purpose they are used by the Product Category
Rules (PCR) establishing the methodology for calculating and
communicating the information contained, to be subsequently based on the data
obtained from the Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) in which the different environmental
indicators are shown for the different categories of impact (climate change, ozone layer
depletion, eutrophication, etc).

PCR LCA EPD 3rd Party

Product Category Life Cycle Environmental Verification by
Rules Analysis product third party
declaration

In order to carry out this study 3 use cases were considered on the basis of the most
common applications: Exterior cladding, interior coating and furniture/fittings.
This environmental declaration is considered an ecolabel type III because the information
it contains is verified by an independent organization (3rd Party). The transparency and
objectivity of these declarations, along with the possibility of comparison with similar
products, makes these a very well-known tool and which serves to help the technical
experts and prescribers of materials in the process of designing and developing projects
that take the environmental impact into consideration for their buildings.
With the EPD Krion® K·Life 1100 demonstrates the reduction of the impacts on the
environment in a quantitative manner. The photovoltaic activity of the material is what
causes, in the use and maintenance phases the creation of benefits to the user and
environment, including the disposal of dangerous compounds from the air and a
reduction in maintenance intervals, resulting in lower consumption of water, chemical
products and energy.
Environmental impact indicators Krion® K·Life 1100

GlobalWarming Depletion of the Ozone Depletion Soil and water Depletion Eutrophication
75.43 Kg of ozone layer formation of abiotic acidification of abiotic -1.73 Kg of
CO2 eq 2.61 E-06 Kg of photochemical resource -9.23 Kg of resources- PO43-eq
CFC11 eq 2.08 E-02 Kg of elements SO2 eq fossil fuels
ethylene eq 7.48 E-05 Kg of 1212.58 MJ
Sb eq

102
EcoToxicity
The environmental toxicology is the branch of toxicology that studies the possible
damage that chemical substances or products may cause to living organisms.
KRION Porcelanosa Group has carried out some external tests at the renowned
Valencian Institute of Microbiology (IVAMI) to ensure that Krion® K·Life 1100 and by-
products derived from it being worked, are inert to the environment, and do not cause
any possible accidental release to the natural environment, also in response to growing
demands from society.
A series of tests guarantee the safety of the material to living organisms, with tests on
organisms present in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems of particular significance.

BENEFITS

103
104
 Sustainable and healthy construction

Sustainable building standards

KRION is an associate member of the "Spain Green Building Council " (GBCe), a non-
profit organization affiliated to the International Association "World Green Building
Council" (WGBC). These associations bring together representatives of leading
companies in the building industry, who work together to promote cities and buildings
that are environmentally responsible, cost-effective and healthy for the people who live
or work in them.
The WGBC is in charge of providing the methodologies sector with up-to-date and
internationally approved tools that enable the objective assessment and certification of
the sustainability of the buildings, adapted to the needs of Spanish consumers in general
and to the distinct geographical areas in particular. Among them are the sustainable
construction standards LEED®, BREEAM®, VERDE®, HQE® and DGNB®.

Krion® K·Life 1100, contributes to all these building standards thanks to the intrinsic
properties prizes.. All the environmental, social and economic benefits derived from the
application of the material have been analyzed, quantified and developed in the KRION’s
SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION DATA SHEETS. These dossiers demonstrate all the
impact categories where KRION® contributes towards the obtainment of points, both at
LEED®, and in BREEAM®, and in VERDE.
All the product certificates of Krion® K·Life 1100 contribute directly to those impact
categories of all standards related to it;

-The indoor air quality (GREENGUARD GOLD, A+)

Low emission of VOCs.
-Reflection index of the material (IRS ISO 9050 CERTIFICATE ASTM E1980)
Minimum coefficient that allows the reduction of the heat islands.
-The analysis of the life cycle (EPD - Environmental Product Declaration-)
Study of the analysis of the life cycle of Krion®, including its useful phase.
-Certificates revealing content (HPD, DECLARE)
Revelation of the material composition.
-Acoustic efficiency (UNE EN-ISO 10140)
Global acoustic insulation.
BENEFITS

Added to these, KRION® is likely to contribute to many other points awarded with respect
to the project that it wants to carry out, given that the versatility of the material allows
it to form part of a multitude of applications relating to the design for flexibility, pre-
fabrication and recycling.
Similarly, there are other impact categories where KRION® Porcelanosa Group can
contribute thanks to the internal management, following the most innovating standards
on RSC.

105
 The construction of
sustainable and healthy
buildings benefits our
clients, employees,
collaborators and for the
community

106
The environmental qualification systems are increasingly becoming more important
in the construction industry, as it is the method used to quantify the sustainability of
he buildings. The creation of these standards has helped professionals from different
countries to improve the quality of the buildings and their impact on the environment.
The sustainable construction sector is growing exponentially, and, increasingly,
professionals in construction, operators and owners are seeing the benefits of ecological
construction and the green classification systems.
Ultimately, the environmental benefits provided by Krion® K·Life 1100 help the buildings
to achieve a better general ecological certification. Krion® has a set of invaluable
environmental performances and the leading certifications most recognized that can
contribute towards the attainment of different LEED®, BREEAM®, VERDE®, DGNB® and
HQE.

Building standards for safe and healthy spaces

The current style of life of the human being has evolved
and transformed, which means we spend 90% of our time
in indoor spaces. This is why it has become a priority to
centralize the human being as a pivot around which the
construction moves.
In the search for this new constructive methodology, the new standards of certification
aimed at improving the health and well-being of the users of the building have become
essential.
Its function is to provide health and comfort for its occupants, analyzing the relationship
between people and spaces through the implementation of strategies, programs,
building and design technologies that improve nutrition, the physical fitness, mood,
sleep patterns etc. of their occupants.
One of the most relevant construction standards relating to well-being is the WELL
BUILDING STANDARD, administered by the International WELL Building Institute™ (IWBI
™) certified by third parties through collaboration with Green Business Certification.
Krion® has a technical specification based on the WELL standard, indicating the impact
categories to which the material contributes thanks to all the product certificates it has.
Our photovoltaic material has a series of certificates such as the GREENGUARD GOLD,
A+, REACH STANDARDS, NSF51 (food contact), REIRS, ACCOUSTIC STANDARDS,
HEALTH PRODUCT DECLARATION, that directly supports the attainment of points for
the property certificate in question.
In this way, Krion® K·Life 1100 also contributes actively to many other standards focused
on the well-being of people, such as FITWELL, RESET, etc., as all of them are based on
BENEFITS

similar parameters to classify the healthiness of the rooms.

107
108
Annex

109
 Technical utility sheet

PROPERTY TEST METHOD RESULT

Density ISO 1183 / ASTM D792 1.73 - 1.76 g/cm3

Approximate weight per m2 -6 mm 11 kg

-
Approximate weight per m2 - 12 mm 21 kg
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

Thermal expansion ISO 11359-2 (EN 14581) / ASTM D696 3.5 ± 0.3 · 10-5 ºC-1

ISO 19712 (UNE-EN 2039-2) /

Rockwell Hardness > 90
ASTM D785

Barcol Hardness ISO 19712 / ASTM D2583 65 - 70

Hardness to the ball ISO 19712 (UNE-EN 2039-1) 250 - 290 N/mm2

Thermal conductivity EN 12667 / ASTM C518 0.18 - 0.40 W/m· K

Modulus of elasticity 9300 - 12000 MPa

MECHANICAL PROPERTIES

ISO 178 / ASTM D790

Bending strength 68 - 78 MPa

Tensile strength 40 - 50 MPa

ISO 527 / ASTM D638

Elongation at breaking point 0.6% - 0.7%

Compressive strength ISO 604 / ASTM C365 98 - 115 MPa

Light stability (Arc Xenon) UNE-EN 438 / ISO 19712 Satisfactory

Color stability NEMA LD3 Satisfactory

Resistance to impact by large diameter ISO 19712-2 (324 g) / NEMA LD3

> 200 cm
ball (224 g)

Resistance to chemical agents ISO 19712 (Method A) Satisfactory

Cigarette burn resistance

Resistance to dry heat

Resistance to damp heat ISO 19712 Satisfactory

Resistance to thermal shock

Load test

Dimensional stability ISO 4586-2 / NEMA LD3 Exceeded

SUITABILITY FOR USE

Resistance to wear of the surface ISO 4586 0.028% / 25 rev

ASTM G22 / ISO 846 / ASTM G21 /

Resistance to bacteria and fungi Does not support growth
UL2824

Resistance to boiling water ISO 4586 / NEMA LD3 Satisfactory

Resistance to cracking UNE 438-2 Satisfactory

Frost resistance ISO 10545-12 Exceeded

For more information consult the file, bulletins and technical notes.

110
Sizes

3680 x 760 mm · 145” x 30 “

3680 x 930 mm · 145” x 36 5/8 “

3680 x 1350 mm · 145” x 53 3/16“

3680 x 1520 mm · 145” x 60 “

available

Thickness 3mm
2500x760x3mm
2500x930x3mm

Thickness 6mm
2500x760x6mm
2500x930x6mm
2500x1350x6mm

2500 x 760 mm · 98 7/16” x 30”

2500 x 930 mm · 98 7/16” x 36”

2500 x x 1350 mm · 98 7/16” x 53 3/16“

3680x760x6mm
3680x930x6mm
3680x1350x6mm

Thickness 9mm
3680x760x9mm

Thickness 12mm
3680x760x12mm
3680x930x12mm
3680x1350x12mm
3680x1520x12mm

Thickness 19mm
3680x760x19mm

111
112