BERGER BAHRAIN is a member of the Berger International Group headquartered in Singapore.

The company boasts a modern plant with a well-equipped laboratory, where researchers aided by sophisticated equipment are involved in adapting technology and developing products suited to the unique requirements and standards of Middle East markets.

Berger has always been at the forefront of technology through Research and Development. The company's policy of continuous investment in upgrading its R&D facilities has helped Berger in retaining its superior edge in the market.

''Epiflex is another trend-setter from Berger,'' said Berger Paints Bahrain general manager Ashok Iyer. A new generation high solids (low VOC) modified epoxy coating ideal for direct application on all kinds of non-ferrous substrates, it eliminates the use of high VOC Wash Primer, and there is no need to grit blast stainless steel vessels.

Increasing social concerns to adhere to environmental norms and commitment in enforcing statutory regulations have led to low VOC coatings gaining in importance. Development of new polymers in the 1970s and 80s led paint manufacturers to offer new generation coatings. Most of the new generation coatings are for mild steel and carbon steel. There are hardly any low VOC coatings recommended for direct application on non-ferrous substrates.

Wash Primer is widely used even today despite its high VOC. It is used prior to application of other coatings to ensure adhesion to galvanised or non-ferrous substrates. Technology limitation restricts choice of primers on grit blasted stainless steel to epoxy polyamides only.

The inherent weak adhesion of protective coatings on non-ferrous substrates leads to premature failure, particularly when exposed to continuous elevated temperature (70 deg C to 110 deg C).

Epiflex provides excellent adhesion and very good resistance to corrosion. A variable DFT of 50 to 200 microns/coat in a single coat application is feasible. Epiflex does not crack or peel off, it is highly flexible.

It is compatible for overcoating with flexible polyurethane - Luxathane 5500. For long-term protection of stainless steel, first degrease and de-dust, and then lightly abrade the surface. Ensure surface is clean, and apply one coat of Epiflex 5100 and 150 microns followed by two coats of Luxathane 5500. The advantage is cost savings on surface preparation and avoidance of wash primer.

Berger has a wide range of innovative products suited for the harsh Gulf environment. Cutting edge research has led to the formulation of products which ensure minimum downtime, and in addition are cost effective.

Maintenance and repair today have the added dimension of tackling environmental requirements, said Iyer. Costs of contamination and pollution, coupled with social and legal costs, make maintenance and repair a science, where one has to minimise risks of failure, and yet ensure minimum process downtime and cost-effective solutions.

Translating these objectives to paint systems implies high performance, high solids coatings with flexibility of application on both grit-blasted surfaces to Sa21/2 (ISO8501-1), and where minimal surface preparation is possible.

Among the various innovative coatings available from Berger meeting the above criteria are the Steelshield 1200 high solids, high build glass flake epoxy and Epimastic 5100 HS. A cost-effective and environment-friendly coating, Steelshield 1200 incorporates glass flake and inert pigments for good abrasion resistance, and offers excellent barrier anti-corrosive resistance.

A typical system for shell courses and roof underside of tanks storing various mild petrochemicals consists of grit blasting to Sa21/2 followed by one coat of Epilux 610 (a zinc phosphate-based epoxy primer). Thereafter, apply one or two coats of Steelshield 1200 at 500 microns per coat. Sag resistance is extremely good. A pot life of 45 minutes at 35 deg C is adequate - this can extend to three hours at 15 deg C.

Steelshield 1200 can also be used as a single coat maintenance system for onshore and offshore installations, as it can cure both above and below seawater. Permeability against fresh and sea water is low, and designed use includes both steel and concrete structures around splash and tidal zone areas. This product is regularly produced at both Berger's Dubai and Bahrain units, said Iyer.

Epimastic 5100 HS is a new generation mastic coating. It is a high solids, surface-tolerant epoxy coating for steel surfaces, where blast cleaning is neither practical nor economical. A contractor's delight because of savings in application cost, this coating can be applied by airless spray at a dry film thickness of 250 microns in a single coat, and has been extensively used in highly corrosive environments.

Being surface tolerant, minimal surface preparation is adequate. In addition, this product has a high solids content and high build characteristic, resulting in lower application cost compared to conventional epoxy products. Touch up with brush is feasible, and in combination with Luxathane 5000, Berger's acrylic polyurethane, it forms an ideal system for pipelines above ground and tank exteriors.

Supplying paints alone is not the only function of Berger's Protective Coatings Division. It offers consultancy in recommending appropriate surface preparation standards; design of cost-effective and efficient coating systems; overseeing application and periodic inspection in line with clients' requirements.

''This is an integrated approach where our clients regard us as a 'Solutions Provider','' Iyer concluded.