FARGO, ND –– The North Dakota State University Research Foundation (NDSU/RF) has concluded a license agreement with Elinor Specialty Coatings, Fargo, ND, for removable protective coatings for outdoor bronze monuments and statues. The agreement gives Elinor exclusive rights to further develop and market the technology developed at North Dakota State University, Fargo. The novel BronzeShield™ coatings technology delivers advantages over current methods.

From the Iwo Jima Memorial near Washington, DC, to Rodin’s Burghers of Calais in France, thousands of bronze monuments worldwide endure exposure to pollutants, temperature extremes and all types of weather. Left uncoated or improperly coated, statues can deteriorate, which may result in huge costs to restore them properly.

The unique polymer technology licensed to Elinor Specialty Coatings and marketed as BronzeShield™, allows the original patina of the bronze to remain, while protecting monuments, art and architecture from salt, UV radiation, moisture and vandalism. “We believe it is a durable, yet maintenance-friendly option for municipalities, museums and historical societies to protect history,” said Dr. Dante Battocchi, Research and Technical Officer of Elinor Specialty Coatings.

BronzeShield™ provides shiny or matte protection similar to that of clearcoats on automobiles, yet is removable using an uncomplicated and safe liquid coating remover, which eliminates the damage caused by traditional mechanical removal methods, according to Battocchi.