New Color Of CULTEC Chambers Has Added Benefits

CULTEC, a Brookfield, Conn. company that specializes in the manufacturing of plastic stormwater and septic chambers, announced an important design change that will allow for improved product integrity, safer handling, and a fresh look rebranding of its product line.

CULTEC’s classic black chambers with a blue stripe have been a recognized staple in the marketplace since the company invented the original plastic chamber over 30 years ago. CULTEC even trademarked the tagline “The Chamber with the Stripe.”

Traditionally, CULTEC included carbon black in its chamber material formulation for protection against ultraviolet radiation and weathering. This is a common practice used in the plastics industry for pipe, sheets, and films. CULTEC found that in the hotter climates, the black chamber’s surface temperature was not only hot to the touch, but at extreme hot temperatures, the mechanical properties of the units were impacted.

CULTEC prides itself on its pursuit for continuous improvement. As a result of customer feedback and field and laboratory testing, CULTEC decided to add a thin, blue “sunblock” layer to the chambers. The new, blue outer chamber surface contains a special formulation to protect against ultraviolet and weathering damage. The blue color also greatly reduces the surface temperature of the chambers in direct sunlight. The inside surface of the chamber continues to be black, providing the most cost-effective product possible.

The new color designation will also allow for quicker identification of heavy-duty versus standard-duty versions of the CULTEC chambers in the field and at supply yards. All of CULTEC’s heavy-duty traffic-rated (HD) chambers will now be manufactured with blue material. Standard-duty versions of the chambers (available on some models) will remain unchanged as black without a stripe.

In addition, the lighter color will reflect heat and allow contractors to manually move the chambers more safely in hotter temperatures. The design change is particularly important as CULTEC continues to expand its market share in the warmer southern and western sections of the United States.

Gina Carolan, CULTEC’s COO said, “We’ve noticed up to a 30 degree difference in heat retention since changing from black to blue. This product update will make it safer for workers handling our chambers in warmer climates and also give us an identifiable, fresh look in the industry while protecting the critical properties of the material.”

CULTEC has been manufacturing plastic chambers since 1986. The chambers are used for subsurface stormwater management systems or septic leach field lines. A fully open bottom promotes maximum infiltration capability and allow for the transfer of high volumes at low velocity.

About CULTEC
CULTEC, Inc., manufacturer of the Contactor and Recharger plastic septic and stormwater chambers, is a family-owned and operated company with experience in the drainage industry dating back to the 1950's. Introducing its Contactor and Recharger chambers to the industry in 1986, CULTEC helped begin a revolution toward using plastic construction products. Since then, several product developments and strategic alliances have made CULTEC a cutting-edge R&D-based manufacturer.