Preserving a Finnish landmark of Architecture with Trelleborg’s innovative Spraypoxy technology

Collage image showing the Finlandia Hall, Trelleborg’s Spraypoxy equipment and the pipe

Date: 18.12.24

Finlandia Hall is one of Helsinki’s cultural treasures. Designed by visionary architect Alvar Aalto, this iconic building features on Finnish banknotes and holds a beloved place in the country’s imagination.

However, during a project to modernize the five-decade-old building, workers discovered the presence of an all-too-familiar substance: asbestos. This material was once valued as a coating due to its temperature resistance, durability, and cost-effectiveness. Today, the inhalation or ingestion of asbestos particles is understood to pose severe health risks, including the development of mesothelioma and other forms of cancer.

Whenever asbestos is discovered, urgent action is needed to protect public health. In certain cases, inspectors recommend leaving the asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) in place – but this wasn’t possible for Finlandia Hall, as the asbestos was located in the ventilation ductwork and the space between the ductwork and the partition wall. Acknowledging the risk of the ACMs being disturbed, the necessary course of action was encapsulation: sealing the asbestos with a protective coating to prevent fibers from becoming airborne.

Tackling this problem required working between the ductwork and partition wall, in a gap measuring just 10-20mm. Reaching the ventilation ducts was even tougher, as these could only be accessed through the 20mm gap. Workers also had to avoid damaging nearby marble walls that contribute to Finlandia Hall’s cultural heritage and aesthetic charm. In the face of this challenge, it was clear that traditional encapsulation equipment could not complete the job effectively. A more innovative approach was needed.

The solution: Trelleborg’s Spraypoxy equipment that thrives in tight spaces!

To encapsulate the ACMs without disrupting Finlandia Hall’s existing architecture, the Trelleborg team opted for Spraypoxy MiniSpray+ coating equipment. The main reason for this choice was the device’s compact size (60 x 24 x 50cm) – perfect for use in confined spaces. In particular, the spraying nozzle measures just 5 x 2cm, allowing it to slide into tiny gaps and access the narrow ventilation duct.

Together with an asbestos-removal contractor, Trelleborg started by testing the Spraypoxy coating method in one ventilation duct line, following a five-step process:

Cleaning the surface to remove debris or contaminants, and possibly roughing up the surface to optimize bonding.
Applying Spraypoxy encapsulation materials: a basic coating for the partition walls, plus an additional coating for the ventilation ducts. These natural, oil-based, two-component coatings deliver long-lasting protection, endure stress caused by moisture, and resist cracking caused by movement between structures, making them ideally suited for contaminant control.
Leaving the material to cure, giving it time to harden and bond.
Inspecting the surfaces to ensure proper application of materials.
Cleaning up the working area and ensuring the piping is completely operational.

This pilot project was a resounding success, achieving a significant reduction in asbestos levels. As a result, the trial work was extended to cover the entire 20,000 square meterbuilding.

The results: Long-lasting protection for buildings and people alike

Asbestos samples were taken before and after installation in all installation sites, and the results showed the spaces were clean again. Crucially, this outcome was achieved without causing any structural damage. A very successful case of preserving the building’s architectural heritage while minimizing the planetary impact of the work. The use of Trelleborg’s Spraypoxy equipment further enhanced the project’s positive environmental impact by delivering a lightweight, portable, and efficient solution that kept waste and disruption to a minimum.

Introducing a new asbestos management system resulted in cost and time savings for Finlandia Hall, supported wider efforts to finish upgrading the building by 2025, and helped extend its lifetime. Trelleborg is proud to have played its part in preserving Finland’s cultural heritage, delivering responsible value through our high-performance solutions, simply protecting the essential.