As Middle East industry seeks the means for cost-effective production and maintenance, one of the most critical questions has been that of corrosion prevention and the lifetime costs involved.
''It is surprising just how the climatic elements in the Middle East can come together to make corrosion such a rapid process,'' said Fred Aalbers, marketing manager at Sigma Paints Saudi Arabia.
''Steel and concrete structures in this region are exposed to condensation, high temperatures and in many cases, a very high atmospheric saline content.''
While those factors alone would be enough to cause endless nightmares for paint systems providers, the Middle East's unique desert geography also means that sandstorms create some of the most constant abrasive attacks on protective paint systems of steel structures like pipelines and storage tanks.
''Our experience in the region also highlighted the strong effect of high humidity in the coastal region,'' said Aalbers.
''With such humidity, the curing periods for paint systems can get delayed and that can result in under film corrosion.''
Sigma's research in the region on the issue, especially in the recent past, has focused on designing paint systems that can not only prevent corrosion, but also provide a low lifetime cost.
''At the end of the day, the fact is that no organisation wants to be in a constant state of repair for their equipment,'' said Aalbers.
The company's launching of the Sigmacap range is expected to provide a major inroad for two-component paint systems in hot climates. ''This range is designed to withstand substrate temperatures of up to 50 deg C, due to a long pot life,'' he explained.
The Sigmacap range includes a product assortment of two-component polyamide cured epoxy primers and coatings, which can optionally be top coated with a polyurethane finish.
Explaining possible paint systems, Aalbers cites the examples of an interior epoxy system with high atmospheric exposure.
''In such a case, one possible system would be a combination of the Sigmacap Primer EP, a general purpose high build epoxy primer; together with Sigmacap Finish EP, a high build epoxy with good chemical and abrasion resistance.''
According to Sigma, the need to maintain low lifetime costs is a major factor in the development of durable and effective systems in the region. ''Our research in the region highlighted two major concerns when it comes to corrosion protection paint systems,'' said Aalbers.
''For one, the system had to be technically proficient to meet the unique and harsh climatic conditions of the region. We were able to tackle that with Sigmacap. The second is that the products must be able to provide protection for a longer lifespan with minimal maintenance. As a result, the Sigmacap range is designed to cover a whole spectrum of application conditions, including being able to withstand splashing and spillage from mild chemicals and solvents.''
According to Aalbers, the primary focus was on providing durable and long-lasting paint systems for the industry.
The Sigmacap range extends from the basic primers including Sigmacap Primer EP and Sigmacap Zinc Primer EP to finishes such as Sigmacap Finish PU and Sigmacap Coaltar EP. The Sigmacap Coaltar EP for instance, can be applied on concrete surfaces and steel structures.
As the pressure to downsize the maintenance bills and use quality materials becomes more imperative, the company expects that the demand for high quality, durable systems such as the Sigmacap range will become even more pronounced in the oil and gas industries.
Sigma Paints Saudi Arabia is a leading company in the development, production and marketing of decorative paint, protective coatings and marine coatings in the Middle East with an annual production capacity of 60,000 tonnes and approximately 250 employees.
In Saudi Arabia, Sigma Paints is claimed to be largest in its field. Established in 1980, with its own production, storage, research and development facilities in Dammam, Sigma Paints offers Middle East customers highest quality paints with paint and application solutions.
Sigma's expertise is inherited from its association with Sigma Coatings Holland that was founded in 1722.
Sigma Coatings is part of SigmaKalon, the result of a merger last year between Sigma Coatings and Kalon. The new entity is ranked as the fifth largest paints and coatings manufacturer worldwide.
It has a sales turnover of $2 billion and employs 10,000 people in 40 countries across the world.
