Protecting concrete from salt, moisture, and freeze-thaw damage is one of the biggest challenges set to the concrete infrastructure. Through the investment and funds from the Indiana Soybean Alliance, PoreShield enhances concrete's preservation has been in use for 10+ years. It's 100% American-made, sustainable, renewable, and environmentally friendly.
One of the world's leading manufacturers of pavement preservation products and equipment, Crafco, announced its acquisition of PoreShield July 5, 2023. Crafco also supplies specialized preservation products to the roofing, waterproofing and athletic surfacing industries.The acquisition appropriately fits with the company's drive to continue to pioneer the pavement preservation industry by investing in cutting-edge research to extend the service life of infrastructure around the globe.
“PoreShield represents the next generation of pavement preservation products: safer, easier to use and more effective,” says Lisa Zentner, Vice President of Specialty Products for Crafco. “With this acquisition, Crafco is poised to enter new markets, helping reduce the burden of preserving concrete in a variety of applications. PoreShield is truly the future of concrete preservation.”
PoreShield is a patented, soy-based product created through a research collaboration between the Indiana Soybean Alliance (ISA), Purdue University and the Indiana Department of Transportation, funded by soybean checkoff dollars. PoreShield has been used across the US to protect concrete in agriculture, transportation and other fields. State DOTs in Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska and Wisconsin have conducted real-world testing of PoreShield and adopted it for use in road projects.
“Innovation has long been a strategic imperative at Crafco, so we appreciate the extensive research and development invested in PoreShield,” says Gary Johnson, Crafco President. “We are pleased to welcome this inventive product into our lineup because we believe it will become the new standard in concrete preservation.”
Unlike topical sealers, PoreShield works by absorbing into the concrete’s pores, blocking water penetration which carries destructive salt ions. PoreShield stays fluid over time and protects new cracks as they form.
“This cutting-edge, renewable and sustainable technology has proven, powerful performance protecting and preserving new and existing concrete infrastructure including PCCP joints, highways, bridges, buildings, pipes and walkways throughout the nation,” says Paul Imbrock, the technical lead for PoreShield.
Imbrock previously worked with the Illinois Soybean Alliance and is joining the Crafco team as PoreShield Product Manager to continue developing and promoting PoreShield.
Public works departments and contractors alike appreciate that PoreShield can be used on new or existing concrete, works in all climates, and drastically improves the estimated service life of concrete with or without fly ash. PoreShield also permits the adhesion of materials like crack sealant or mastic for later repairs. It is nonhazardous, low odor, low VOC, and simple to apply with a sprayer. No personal protective equipment is required for application, and cleanup is easy with just soap and water.
