Alesta AP from Axalta Coating Systems Specified for Prestigious French Project La Marseillaise

Axalta Coating Systems has been specified to provide its Alesta® AP Architectural Polyester powder coatings for one of the largest urban planning projects in Europe – La Marseillaise – which is scheduled for completion mid-2018.

The superstructure in Marseille, France, will be 135 meters high, have 31 floors with 35,000m2 of office space, and the capacity to house 2,500 people. When complete, La Marseillaise will contain an estimated total of 18,800m3 of concrete and 16,000m2 of coated façades, including aluminum profiles and 3,800 sun shields made of ultra-high performance fiber-reinforced concrete (UHPC). The color of the external façades will vary depending on the height of the storey – from red ochre to white clouds – that will aim to increase the brightness of the structure. The project is the brain-child of real estate developer Constructa and architectural firm Ateliers Jean Nouvel.

Ouest Alu, a well-established French company that designs and manufactures façades, was commissioned to work on this prestigious project. At the beginning of 2015, Ouest Alu approached Axalta to ask for the creation of tailor-made colors in Alesta AP matt finishes. In total, 15 unique products were specified, manufactured and delivered.

“We regularly use Axalta products in our construction projects, especially where very technical or high-quality requirements are involved. The team at Axalta listened to our needs and perfectly understood the architect’s requirements. This has been a long-term endeavor that has involved developing 27 new colors before selection of the final products by the architect. The availability and responsiveness of the Axalta team has been greatly appreciated and has resulted in a successful outcome,” says Christian Chevrel, Sales Manager at Ouest Alu.

Axalta offers a complete range of environmentally-responsible architectural powder coating products under the Alesta AP brand, all of which have been formulated especially for application on aluminum, steel and galvanized steel. The entire line has excellent mechanical and weathering resistance properties and is therefore very well-suited for durability in demanding climates. Alesta AP is Qualicoat and GSB approved. The Axalta architectural grade products are manufactured and individually tested in accordance with ISO 9000 quality systems to ensure excellent performance and color consistency.

Philippe Leire, Axalta Sales Manager for powder coatings in France, says: “The La Marseillaise project is a double success. It is first of all the faith of a partner customer who entrusts us with the development of unique colors for a majestic project. It is also an exceptional showcase of a design that will engage the public in Marseilles, the city of the sun, which is the showpiece of this architectural gem.”