Stopping Heat Before It Hits the Bottom Line

How NanoTech Materials and PIC Global brought Cool Roof Coat technology to a Walgreens pharmacy in Henderson, Texas — with zero disruption to store operations.

THE CHALLENGE

In a volatile economy, even a household name like Walgreens feels the heat — literally and financially. With more than 8,000 pharmacy locations nationwide, Walgreens treats energy efficiency as a top priority, not an afterthought.

Roofs play a bigger role in that equation than most people realize. HVAC systems can account for nearly half of a store’s total energy consumption on average, and every additional degree of heat absorbed at the roofline adds directly to the bottom line. At this Henderson, Texas location, an aged three-ply modified built-up roof was doing little to stop that heat before it reached the store’s rooftop HVAC units.

Walgreens’ roofing division recognized an opportunity: strengthen its roof repair strategy in a way that also improved energy efficiency across its stores.

THE SOLUTION

Walgreens turned to NanoTech Materials and its roofing partner, PIC Global, who deployed NanoTech’s Cool Roof Coat System at the Henderson store — a pilot installation both teams see as a proof point for Walgreens’ broader portfolio.

Unlike traditional white reflective coatings, NanoTech’s Cool Roof Coat is engineered around Insulative Ceramic Particle technology that blocks heat rather than simply reflecting it. The coating forms a thermal shield at the roof’s surface, stopping heat before it can burden the store’s HVAC system.

THE APPLICATION

1. Roof restoration. The PIC Global team restored the aged, three-ply modified built-up roof, preparing the surface for a 20-year NanoTech Cool Roof Coat System.

2. All Weather Coat (bleed blocker). PIC Global applied NanoTech’s All Weather Coat as a base coat. It acts as a bleed blocker, preventing asphalt from bleeding through and staining the reflective top coat.

3. Cool Roof Coating, two layers. PIC Global then applied NanoTech’s Cool Roof Coating in two layers. As the top coat, it forms the roof’s first line of defense against extreme heat and UV degradation.

The full restoration and coating process was completed on-site at a fully operational pharmacy — without interrupting the business inside.

THE RESULTS

✓  Zero interruptions to store operations. The Henderson pharmacy stayed open and fully operational throughout the entire install.

✓  Cooler interior temperatures, early and often. Preliminary data loggers are already recording cooler readings inside the store.

✓  A pilot for what’s next. Early results point toward a more energy-efficient future for Walgreens, with Henderson serving as a proof point for wider rollout.

These results reflect preliminary data collected shortly after installation. NanoTech Materials and PIC Global continue to monitor performance over time.

IN THEIR WORDS

“On behalf of the PIC Global and NanoTech Materials teams, thank you, Walgreens, for the opportunity to work with you on this pilot project.”

— PIC Global & NanoTech Materials Project Teams

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This project came together through close collaboration across three organizations:

• Walgreens’ roofing division — for identifying the opportunity and trusting NanoTech Materials and PIC Global with a live, fully operational pharmacy location.

• The PIC Global installation crew — for carrying out the full roof restoration and coating application on-site in Henderson, Texas.

• The NanoTech Materials team — for partnering on the ground throughout the project.

The joint PIC Global and NanoTech Materials project team on site in Henderson, TX.

About NanoTech Materials

NanoTech Materials pioneers new materials for the world’s most critical challenges in energy efficiency and fire protection — from cool roof systems that stop heat at the surface to protective coatings for critical infrastructure.