PSS Polysaccharide Technology

The PSS Polysaccharide Technology – Background information on PSS 20

Polysaccharides are very widely distributed in nature and act as the structural elements in plants (cellulose) and as energy reserves (starches). Polysaccharides can also fulfil very special functions, such as acting as protective coatings for bacteria and other cells.

Polysaccharide are used as sources of nutrition (starches) by animals and human beings, but are also used for other applications, such as the production of paper (cellulose), wallpaper paste (starches or cellulose derivates) and thickeners for food products.

Polysaccharide are generally chemically inactive, are all non-poisonous and do not cause any allergies.

Polysaccharides are ideally suited for the production of water-based sacrificial coatings, as they easily form films. When a polysaccharide (or a mixture of polysaccharides) forms a gel, this means that large quantities of water (generally more than 90%) have become imprisoned in a three-dimensional lattice produced by the polysaccharide. This gel can lose most of the water after drying, and thereby forms a film.

Polysaccharide coatings are well suited for the protection of surfaces against contamination by paint (graffiti) or oil-based pollutants. Polysaccharide coatings also protect surfaces from most other pollutants, such as salt, bird droppings, insects, etc.

Polysaccharide coatings can also contain additives, for example, to regulate the pH-value of the surface. PSS 20 is the protection system that has been developed on the basis of the PSS polysaccharide technology to protect buildings against graffiti and dirt.