The project, funded by the German Federal Environmental Foundation under grant number 34620/01‑23, ran for 30 months from 11 July 2019 to 11 January 2023. Euroteam Bauchemie GmbH led the effort, with the German Institute for Building Technology (DIBt) providing the testing framework and criteria. The goal was to create two durable sealing systems for facilities that store or handle manure, slurry, and silage (collectively referred to as JGS liquids). One system was intended as a highly elastic sealant for vertical joints combined with a protective coating, while the other was a low‑elastic, mechanically robust sealant for floor joints, also paired with a coating.
Initial work focused on epoxy resin formulations based on novolak/amine hardeners mixed with various plasticizers. Laboratory samples were produced and subjected to the rigorous DIBt tests that assess chemical resistance to JGS liquids and mechanical performance under temperature and pressure conditions. None of the epoxy mixtures achieved the required durability; many test specimens failed before the planned exposure period, indicating insufficient cross‑link density and inadequate resistance to the aggressive JGS media. Consequently, no further field trials were conducted with the epoxy systems.
A subsequent shift to polyaspartic binder systems proved successful at the laboratory scale. Both a sealant and a coating formulation based on polyaspartic acid ester binders met the DIBt chemical‑resistance criteria and displayed satisfactory mechanical strength. The polyaspartic sealant exhibited high elasticity, while the coating provided a robust barrier against JGS liquids. These results suggest that the polyaspartic approach could satisfy the regulatory requirements for JGS facilities. However, the high cost of the polyaspartic binder led to a rejection by the marketing and sales department, preventing the project from advancing to commercial production.
The report recommends finalizing the polyaspartic formulations and exploring the addition of one‑component polyurethane sealants for surface repairs, which could offer improved longevity and ease of application. Further work would involve adjusting the formulations, conducting independent certification tests, and evaluating primer compatibility, particularly the susceptibility of polyaspartic binders to saponification on damp concrete substrates. The project concluded that, while a market‑ready product was not achieved within the funding period, the laboratory data support the feasibility of polyaspartic‑based sealants and coatings for JGS applications, pending cost optimisation and regulatory approval.