A new coating plant becomes a key asset in Alstom’s strategy for ergonomics and sustainable mobility page 10
Catching the IR-free potential: an overview of the remaining IR components in Off measurements page 28
Game-changing data set to transform fire sprinkler corrosion protection page 40
Corrosion can cause serious issues. Preventing corrosion, and protecting products, surfaces and structures from the damage it can cause is easy – but only if you know the right combination of coatings to choose. That’s where we come in. Interpon Redox takes the complicated science and makes it simple. It comprises a portfolio of tough and durable multi-layer powder systems to suit the widest range of substrates and applications, while our simple ‘System Finder’ helps you find the perfect combination for your particular project and deliver the ultimate corrosion protection. With thousands of colors to choose from, and the largest range of Ready to Ship products available, we’ve got the winning formula of colors, textures and finishes to ensure you remain unbeatable. Interpon. Your personal best.
All of the products within the Interpon Redox range are designed to be highly durable, delivering superior longevity for C4/5 environments compared to other coating solutions. Efficiency is also key: our products are easy to select – our guide is based on ISO 12944:2018 corrosivity categories – and similar easy to apply, with shorter curing times to enable projects to be completed on time, every time.
Powder Coatings by AkzoNobel
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A new coating plant becomes a key asset in Alstom’s strategy for ergonomics and sustainable mobility
Collaboration key to opening the untapped potential of hull management
26 SUCCESS STORY
AkzoNobel highlights impact of high lamellar glass flake content on offshore coating longevity
28 SCIENCE OUTLOOK
Catching the IR-free potential: an overview of the remaining IR components in Off measurements 36 SPOTLIGHT
The valve industry convened for the 6th Valve Industry Think Tank 40
Game-changing data set to transform fire sprinkler corrosion protection 44 SUCCESS STORY
Hamburg terminals opt for Steelpaint’s new corrosion protection system to repair STS cranes 46
myFAIR Web App: the most important industry events at your fingertips
Galvanic corrosion.
Localised corrosion. Stress corrosion.
Hydrogen corrosion.
Crevice corrosion.
Alessia Venturi Editor-in-chief
All over the world, infrastructures are required to meet safety and management standards initially set in a very different context, due to the morphology of the long-term degradation processes that lead to inevitable damage during these assets’ long service life.
These terms are all familiar to owners, operators, and maintainers of infrastructure assets – and they are just some of the corrosion processes to which a road or energy infrastructure may be subjected. In Europe (but also beyond), we have a serious infrastructure ageing problem, which increases the risk of failure due to corrosion. That is why managing corrosion phenomena in metal structures, be they bridges, viaducts, or oil and gas pipelines, plays a decisive role in preserving both their aesthetics and functionality and, all the more so, the safety of people and the environment. Environmental factors such as humidity, temperature, and corrosive substances can accelerate corrosion. The composition of the construction material plays a significant role in determining its vulnerability to corrosion. The stresses to which a structure is subjected, such as pressure, mechanical and chemical stress, and exposure to varying temperatures, can also make the material more susceptible to corrosion.
All over the world, infrastructures are required to meet safety and management standards initially set in a very different context, due to the morphology of the longterm degradation processes that lead to inevitable damage during these assets’ long service life.
These processes vary depending on the conformation of structural elements, the jointing solutions adopted, the selection of corrosion protection systems, the materials specified, and the maintenance protocols implemented.
Only diagnostics, continuous monitoring, and effective corrosion inspection protocols provide the necessary backbone for managing the maintenance of such infrastructure, defining the most appropriate management strategies, and assessing the assets’ actual stress conditions. Designing structures with adequate drainage, ventilation, and protection against environmental factors can reduce the chances of corrosion. Using construction methods that minimise the risks of galvanic or crevice corrosion, such as avoiding contact between dissimilar metals or ensuring tight seals at joints, is also crucial. Regular maintenance, including inspection, cleaning, and timely repairs, helps control corrosion and ensure the long-term performance of infrastructures1
This Corrosion Protection issue, which will be circulated at more than ten international events and conferences related to metal infrastructure management (you can find the list of Corrosion Protection’s media partnerships in the media kit at this link https://www.ipcm.it/en/advertising.aspx?_ gl=1*1d6e0bb*_up*MQ..*_ga*NTA2Mjk4MT U0LjE3MzgxNjY1MzM.*_ga_LNPFV5DVBV *MTczODE2NjUzMS4xLjAuMTczODE2NjU zMS4wLjAuMA), provides our readers with many insights and technical articles on the most innovative materials and processes for managing corrosion and maximising the potential of assets over the years.
1 Sources: https://www.aimnet.it/la_metallurgia_italiana/2020/aprile/lorenzi.pdf https://www.marsquality.com/aging-energy-infrastructures-in-europe-therisks-of-corrosion-and-the-importance-of-maintenance-and-inspection/
The ACA Applicator and Coatings Technical Groups announced their upcoming annual Roadshow, set to visit key locations across Australasia. This year’s Roadshow will make stops in Sydney, Perth, Auckland, and Christchurch, offering an exciting opportunity for professionals in the coatings industry to connect and explore the latest advancements in the field.
Roadshow Schedule:
Sydney, Australia: Tuesday, 6th May 2025
Perth, Australia: Tuesday, 13th May 2025
Auckland, New Zealand: Monday, 21st July 2025
Christchurch, New Zealand: Thursday, 24th July 2025
The Roadshow will include a variety of engaging presentations by expert speakers, an exhibition featuring our Corporate Partners in the coatings industry, and live outdoor demonstrations of the latest equipment designed for Coatings Professionals. Event organizers will share further details soon, including a complete schedule and
registration information, so be sure to mark your calendars and save the dates.
There are still a limited number of opportunities available for presenters and sponsors to be part of this prestigious event.
Abstract submissions for potential speakers are open until Friday, 28th February 2025.
To submit details and abstract:
https://forms.monday.com/forms/77b0c3847a8e279453b39f3dc29c288
8?r=use1
To register for sponsoring or exhibiting opportunities: https://forms.monday.com/forms/3a57bbc691202023529dc2262568798
2?r=use1
www.corrosion.com.au
The Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP), the global authority in materials protection and performance, proudly announces the recipients of its 2025 Annual Service and Technical Awards. These prestigious honours will be presented during the AMPP Annual Conference + Expo, scheduled for April 6-10, 2025, in Nashville, Tennessee (United States).
The awards highlight the exceptional achievements of individuals and organizations shaping the future of the corrosion and materials protection industry.
“The AMPP Service and Technical Awards are a testament to the groundbreaking work and dedication of professionals who are advancing our industry,” said Rebecca Griebe, Senior Director of User Experience at AMPP. “This year’s honourees exemplify innovation, collaboration, and a commitment to excellence, inspiring all of us to continue shaping the future of corrosion and materials protection.”
The 2025 award categories and recipients are as follows:
Willis Whitney Technical Achievement Award: Narasi Sridhar
Joyce Wright Industry Impact Award: Abigail Amu
Oliver Moghissi Asset Integrity Management Award: Faisal Mohammed Al-Abbas, Tom Pickthall, Hasan Sabri
Elaine Bowman Distinguished Service Award: Evan Bloomfield, Nafiseh Ebrahimi, Manuela Malfanti, Suryani, Harsh Zala
Russell Brannon & John Keane Signature Award: William Hedges
Christopher M. Fowler Award for International Cooperation: Roger Francis
Educator Award (in honour of Richard Drisko): Sjon Westre
Early Career Excellence Award: Abdullah M. Al-Ratoee
Oladis Troconis de Rincón Field Applied Technology Award: Helena Alves, Warren Green, Karthik Krishnan, Nicolas Larche, Christina Stewart
Distinguished Organization Award: Belzona, BP, Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), Penspen, Petronas.
Publications Awards
Ivy M. Parker Best Paper in CORROSION Journal: Ryan Katona, Erin Karasz, Rebecca Schalle – A Review of the Governing Factors in Pit-to-Crack Transitions of Metallic Structures
Materials Performance and CoatingsPro Magazine Award: Michael Winter, et al. – Defining Solvent Free Coatings – A Volatile Subject.
Fellow Honour
Recipients include David Bastidas, Ronald Bianchetti, Bruce Brown, Tingyue Gu, Julio Maldonado, Roberto Malfanti, Jeremy Moloney, R.G. Pillai, Lee Smith, Dominique Thierry, Mark Wilms, Yu Yan.
AMPP Annual Conference + Expo Award
Recipient: Adsorption of Model Inhibitor Compound Characterized Using Quartz Crystal Microbalance with Dissipation Monitoring.
Project Awards
Outstanding Engineering in the Area of Materials Protection or Remediation
- Recipient: OPTI-EX (Who Dat) – Offshore Gulf of Mexico
- Structure owner: LLOG Exploration
- Engineer: Sami Abu-Zahra.
Community Service Award
- Recipient: The Way at Laumeier Sculpture Park – Sappington, Missouri, USA
- Structure Owner: Laumeier Sculpture Park
- Contractor: Blackline Construction
- Applicator: Coatings Unlimited
- Coating material supplier: Carboline.
Excellence in Management of a Complex Materials Protection Project – in honour of George Campbell
- Recipient: Octopus Mountain 160-ft Communication Tower
Recoating – Kitsap, Washington USA
- Structure owner: NAVFAC
- Contractor: Site Master
- Coating material supplier: Sherwin Williams
- Consultant: DPSI.
Excellence in Technical Support of Materials Protection Systems
- Recipient: Cylindrical Pressure Vessel – La Porte, Texas, USA
- Structure owner: Belzona Houston
- Contractor: BHI Coatings
- Coating material supplier: Belzona Houston.
Outstanding Achievement in Coatings Work in a Fixed Shop Project – in honour of Eric Kline
- Recipient: Texas Shipyard – Galveston, Texas, USA
- Contractor/applicator: BHI Coatings
- Coating material supplier: Belzona Houston
- Engineer: Belzona Houston
- Consultant: Stefan Trosclair.
Award recipients will be formally recognized during the Honouree Night, a signature event featuring networking opportunities, heavy hors d’oeuvres, and entertainment. Honourees and their guests will gather in an elegant setting at the Country Music Hall of Fame to celebrate excellence and foster connections within the industry. Tickets are $95 and can be purchased during conference registration at https://ace.ampp.org/registration. “The Honouree Night is a hallmark of the AMPP Annual Conference + Expo, celebrating the industry’s finest,” added Griebe.
https://ace.ampp.org
Consulting for the professional and productive world.
Germedia addresses both the professional and productive sectors. Thanks to its cross-disciplinary expertise, it collaborates not only with professionals such as architects, engineers, and law firms, but also with builders, paint manufacturers, and craftsmen.
CIN, the Iberian leader in paints and varnishes, has acquired Hempel Industrial B.V., based in the Netherlands. This acquisition bolsters CIN’s position in the European market, broadens its product portfolio, and underscores its commitment to becoming a global paint and coatings industry leader. The transaction adds a new industrial unit to CIN’s group, contributing to an annual turnover of approximately €15 million.
Established in 1830, Schaepman Lakfabrieken B.V. earned a distinguished reputation for innovation in the industrial coatings sector, becoming a trusted name in the Netherlands and beyond. In 2014, Hempel acquired the company, retiring the Schaepman brand and operating the business as part of the Hempel Group. With this acquisition, CIN plans to revive the historic Schaepman name as part of its strategy to honour the company’s bicentennial legacy while enhancing its connection to local markets and customers.
João Luís Serrenho, Vice President of CIN, stated: “The acquisition of Hempel Industrial B.V. in the Netherlands represents another important step in CIN’s European growth strategy, solidifying our presence in a key region and laying a strong foundation for future expansion and competitiveness. Reviving the Schaepman brand reflects our respect for its historic legacy and aligns with our vision for innovation and delivering high-quality, specialized solutions. These shared values will continue to guide CIN as we expand our footprint across Europe.”
This acquisition increases CIN’s production capacity, including 11 factories operating across seven countries: Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Angola, and Mozambique. It also reinforces CIN’s growth and internationalization strategy, strengthening its position as a key player in the global paints and coatings market.
www.cin.com
SIOResin launched SIO-7213 waterborne high-temperature resistant silicone resin for zinc-rich anti-corrosion coatings
SIO New Material (SIOResin®) has recently unveiled SIO-7213 waterborne high-temperature resistant silicone resin for zinc-rich anti-corrosion coatings, combining heat and salt spray resistance for demanding industrial environments. SIOResin® SIO-7213 is designed to meet the rigorous requirements of high-temperature industrial applications, as it can be exposed from 200°C to 650°C, and short-term peaks up to 800°C – thus ensuring long-term reliability in extreme heat conditions. SIO-7213 has good resistance to corrosion: a 15-micron coating formulated with this resin achieves over 2000 hours of neutral salt spray protection, delivering more than three times the durability of conventional inorganic zinc-rich primers. It offers significant environmental advantages, free of toluene and xylene, and complying with stringent environmental regulations. In addition, it cures through self-crosslinking at room temperature, eliminating the need for baking and simplifying application processes.
Additional features include:
Good Film-Forming Properties: quick surface drying with superior wetting and levelling performance.
Broad Compatibility: works with spherical zinc powder, flake zinc powder, and zinc-aluminium alloy powder for versatile formulations.
Thick Application Stability: resists chalking and peeling even under high temperatures.
SIO-7213 is ideal for industries requiring high-performance zinc-rich anticorrosion coating solutions, including power plants, petrochemical facilities, and heavy machinery.
“SIOResin’s innovative SIO-7213 redefines the limits of zinc-rich anti-corrosion coatings, offering unparalleled heat and corrosion resistance that address critical industry challenges. We are proud to provide cutting-edge solutions that support our customers in achieving superior durability and environmental compliance,” has stated Zhang, CEO of SIOResin.
SIOResin® is a leading manufacturer specializing in innovative waterborne raw materials, offering comprehensive solutions for R&D, production, sales, and services. With a market-driven approach and a commitment to continuous innovation, SIOResin serves a wide range of industries including coatings, cosmetics, textiles, biology, machinery, construction, and medicine. Their product extensive product line includes water-based Polyurethane, waterborne Acrylic Resin, water-based Additives, Silicone Resin, Silicone Rubber, and waterborne curing agents, etc. Supported by a team of experts and multiple national patents, provide high-quality, competitive solutions that help clients succeed.
www.sioresin.com
PPG has signed a strategic agreement with flooring leader Shaw Industries Group, Inc. to offer the PPG FLOORING™ line of resinous flooring products. The products will be available to Shaw’s customers in the commercial property market via its Patcraft® brand. The partnership helps expand the market reach for PPG’s products and adds to Shaw’s expansive portfolio of flooring and surface solutions. Resinous flooring is known for its durability, versatility and aesthetic appeal, particularly for institutional, industrial and workplace environments. The extensive PPG Flooring portfolio provides chemical and abrasion resistance for concrete floors, ensuring long-lasting results. “As a customercentric organization, Shaw is dedicated to delivering exceptional experiences by offering a wide array of flooring solutions that meet the diverse needs of our clients,” said Kelley Fain, executive vicepresident of Shaw’s commercial business. “With resinous flooring growing in popularity, PPG is an ideal partner for our Patcraft brand due to its deep expertise in resinous coatings and commitment to innovation. Patcraft focuses on offering customers solutions to fill the needs of high-performance environments. Together, we aim to transform spaces and customer experiences.” “At PPG, we continually strive to solve customer challenges by collaborating with partners to find the best path forward,” said Jenn Solcz, PPG vice president, Protective and Marine Coatings U.S. and Canada. “Shaw’s position as a leading flooring provider with expansive customer reach gives PPG even greater access to the market. This partnership represents a significant milestone for both companies.”
Driven by imagination, intention and purpose, Patcraft creates high-performance flooring for every market sector. As a leading soft and hard surface commercial brand, we hold ourselves to the highest standards, delivering award-winning, high-quality products
that transform spaces and human experiences. Inspire, create, and transform every day with Patcraft.
Shaw Industries Group, Inc. is a leader in flooring and other surface solutions designed for residential housing, commercial spaces and outdoor environments. Leveraging strengths in design, innovation and operational excellence, the company takes a people-centered, customer-focused, and growthminded approach to meet diverse market needs. It creates differentiated customer experiences through its expansive portfolio of brands: Anderson, Tuftex, COREtec, Shaw Floors, Patcraft, Philadelphia Commercial, Shaw Contract, Shaw Sports Turf, Shawgrass, Southwest Greens, Watershed Geo and more. Headquartered in Dalton, Georgia, Shaw is a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. with more than $6 billion in annual sales and 18,000 associates worldwide.
PPG works every day to develop and deliver the paints, coatings, and specialty materials that its customers have trusted for more than 140 years.
Through dedication and creativity, it solves its customers’ biggest challenges, collaborating closely to find the right path forward. With headquarters in Pittsburgh, PPG operates and innovates in more than 70 countries and reported net sales of $18.2 billion in 2023. It serves customers in construction, consumer products, industrial and transportation markets, and aftermarkets.
www.ppgpmc.com/protective/flooring and https://shawinc.com
by Monica Fumagalli, ipcm®
In the fifth industrial revolution, respect for human labour and a sustainable approach to production are returning to centre stage. A visit to Alstom’s long-standing site in Savigliano (Cuneo, Italy) gave us the opportunity to witness these values being rooted in an advanced industrial context, where installing a new coating system entailed finding a plant engineering partner that was not only reliable but also capable of understanding and embracing the same principles. This article describes the new solid partnership established between Alstom, a global leader in smart and sustainable mobility, and Eurotherm, which has been designing and building coating plants since 1958.
The development of the railway network has played and continues to play a crucial role in the economic growth of many countries. The railways – whose origins can be traced back to the famous trials run in Rainhill, England, to find the most suitable locomotive to travel along the Liverpool-Manchester line – contributed to the development of the first industrial revolution, marking a fundamental turning point in the history of humankind: they favoured the mechanisation of land transport, bringing the peoples and commercial and industrial activities in the areas they touched closer together.
Nowadays, the most advanced factories producing rolling stock and railway components and servicing them are centres of excellence in line with the parameters of Industry 4.0, the fourth industrial revolution, based on the concept of fully automated and interconnected production, and even already projected towards the fifth industrial revolution through a focus on worker comfort and low-carbon systems. One example of this is Alstom, a global leader in smart and sustainable mobility, which has been manufacturing trains for 170 years, signalling systems for 90 years, and traction
systems for 60 years. Its new investment plan revolves around a strong commitment to economic growth, technological innovation, and social and environmental sustainability.
Michele Viale, the Managing Director of Alstom Italy and the President and CEO of Alstom Ferroviaria, stated in a press release in September 2024: “Alstom continues to be a strategic partner for the sustainable development of rail transport and the Italian economy. With a contribution to the GDP of more than € 1.019 billion generated in the past two years and supporting more than 14,000 jobs, Alstom is an accelerator of employment and professional development for thousands of people in Italy. In an Italian mobility system characterised by great dynamism and constant growth, supported by the PNRR and the IPCEI Fund, Alstom continues to invest and is pleased to announce a new investment plan of more than € 63 million [for 2024-2026] that will give further boost to our business, with an important impact on the entire Italian railway sector.”
The first impact document published by Alstom in Italy also emphasised its intention to achieve environmental neutrality by 2050.
“The company has set ambitious targets to reduce CO2
emissions, aiming to achieve ‘net zero’ by 2050, with intermediate milestones for 2025 and 2030. Alstom is taking an eco-design approach to minimise the environmental impact of its products by optimising the use of materials, reducing pollution in production and delivery, and improving energy efficiency with actions such as insulating buildings, monitoring temperature, installing LEDs, improving lighting control systems, and installing photovoltaic panels in sites. The company also continues with a strong commitment to waste reduction, and as of today already 98% of the waste produced is recycled.”
All of Alstom’s nine sites in Italy, which employ more than 4,000 workers, will benefit from the new investment plan and will be the subject of the company’s eco-sustainable commitment. We visited its centre of excellence in Savigliano (Cuneo) to report on how these developments also resulted in the design and installation of a new liquid coating plant from Eurotherm Spa (Volpiano, Turin, Italy), a company specialising precisely in surface treatment systems for train bodies and components.
Alstom, a global leader in smart and sustainable mobility, has been manufacturing trains for 170 years, signalling systems for 90 years, and traction systems for 60 years. Its new investment plan revolves around a strong commitment to economic growth, technological innovation, and social and environmental sustainability.
Alstom, a global leader in smart and sustainable mobility active in the construction of trains, signalling systems, and railway infrastructure, owes its name to “Alsthom”, the result of the contraction of the words Alsace and Thomson, as it was created from the merger in 1928 of a part of SACM (Société Alsacienne de Constructions Mécaniques), a locomotive construction specialist based in Mulhouse (France), with CFTH (Compagnie française ThomsonHouston), a Franco-American company specialising in electric traction equipment. The saga of the resulting company intertwined with Italy’s industrial history through various acquisitions, including that of Fiat Ferroviaria (Savigliano), the manufacturer of the Pendolino train and the holder of the relevant patent, in 2000; another significant step was the acquisition in January 2021 of Bombardier Transportation Italy, whose site in Vado Ligure (Savona, Italy) was dedicated to producing railway locomotives alongside the Savigliano site.
The Savigliano site, which covers an area of 323,000 m2, is one of the most important design and production hubs in the Italian railway industry, together with another global competence centre in Bologna specialising in railway signalling and traffic supervision systems. “Founded in 1853 in the same period as the construction of the first stretch of track from Turin to Savigliano,” says Rolling Stock Director Davide Viale while tracing the history of the site, “this site is Alstom’s worldwide production hub for the regional trains of the Coradia Stream family. In the 1960s, it produced the first diesel and electric rail cruisers and high-speed trains of the Avelia Stream family – some of them were
tilting trains, such as the Pendolino, a unique example of engineering excellence at the time, designed right in this site in the early 1970s and inspired by the pendulum movement to negotiate curves at a higher speed without increasing the uncompensated transverse acceleration, thus balancing the centrifugal acceleration perceived by travellers.”
Savigliano is also one of the Alstom maintenance division’s sites: although this mainly operates directly in the depots of railway operators throughout Italy, its bogie maintenance and inspection services are carried out in a dedicated department within this site.
The factory houses both production lines and all the required resources for the company’s design, industrialisation, validation, supply chain, manufacturing engineering, production, and planning activities.
“In 20 years,” Davide Viale adds, “this factory has produced 500 Pendolino trains sold in 12 countries, from Italy to Finland and from the UK to Russia, and, in collaboration with other Italian sites, over 600 trains of the Coradia/Minuetto family, now in service in Italy from Trentino to Sicily. It is an example of an Industry 4.0-oriented site – with a state-of-theart 3D virtual reality room enabling our engineers to design trains for easier maintenance – already projected towards Industry 5.0.”
As Davide Viale further emphasises, “In response to the increased workload at the Savigliano site, we launched an investment plan about two years ago to double the production capacity of several departments, including the coating one. We therefore needed to integrate a new booth into our coating department that would represent the state of the art in the
From top left clockwise:
The system has an in-ground booth reaching one metre below floor level.
The booth is equipped with two mobile scaffolds, each with a maximum load capacity of 250 kg.
The two mobile scaffolds feature hydraulic handling technology instead of pneumatic technology.
The plant is equipped with a fully vertical airflow filtration system, with air inlet from above and suction and filtration from below through two dry filters.
Eurotherm’s staff could not only design and install the booth but also take care of the masonry work, thus presenting us with a ‘turnkey’ project.
railway sector. We chose Eurotherm, whose name is well known in our sector, because it could meet all our standards and respond effectively to all our requests, which were the result of years of experience in the surface treatment of train bodies – related to quality, sustainability (we have been applying water-based products for almost 20 years), ergonomics, and safety (which Alstom aims to guarantee to all its workers). Last but not least, Eurotherm provided us with a turnkey system, also taking charge of the masonry work.”
Eurotherm’s booth is fully pressurised and equipped with two mobile scaffolds with a maximum load capacity of 250 kg each, and it has a length of 35 m, a width of 7 m, and a height of 8 m (7 + 1 m underground to allow the operator to paint underbodies).
“These dimensions,” says Paolo Tesio, Site Facilities Engineer at Alstom, “were specifically requested to ensure that all parts of both our regional and high-speed train bodies could be properly
coated. Eurotherm’s staff could not only design and install the booth but also take care of the masonry work, thus presenting us with a ‘turnkey’ project.”
“The building operations were among the most complex phases in the entire project,” notes Davide Quartana, project manager at Eurotherm. “Designing a new in-ground plant in an existing building is never simple, especially in a structure like the one in Savigliano, with some dated halls. Moreover, on top of its uncommon length, the coating system had to be placed, on the one hand, close to the external wall and, on the other hand, in a position so as not to hinder the passage of carriages. The masonry work we undertook included the insertion of micropiles to reinforce the existing plinths and prevent landslides in the structure above. After three months, the construction work – begun on 5 April 2024 and completed on 5 July with the laying of the tracks – could be considered complete, and we were able to focus on building the booth.”
Another aspect that factored into the railway giant’s preference for Eurotherm was its technical team’s attention to Alstom’s specific requirements. “We have been handling our coating operations for many years now,” Tesio says, “thus achieving a surface treatment-related know-how that has enabled us to draft precise specifications for our new system. Eurotherm’s offer met our requests in terms of both the excavation and construction phases and the technical solutions included. Its technological capacity also proved crucial to our need for greater ergonomics for our workers. For example, we requested gas burners with air stream technology because we consider it the most stable and reliable option based on our experience and that of our operators – it avoids nonergonomic situations that can compromise productivity – as well as a sensible choice in terms of energy savings.”
“With combustion,” Quartana explains, “about 30% of the calorific value is lost. The air stream solution meets Alstom’s need for energy efficiency, as confirmed by the baking
Superior filtration is provided by four AHUs, each with a capacity of 55,000 m3 and the reverse osmosis system for atomising water inside AHUs, supplied by Eurotherm.
After sheet metal working, cleaning with a surfactant, and sandblasting, the train body is subjected to masking, coating with water-based paint, flash-off, and final baking.
temperature reached through air recirculation: only 10% of the air fed into the booth comes from outside, whereas the rest is recovered from inside. This way, the set temperature is also reached very quickly.”
The plant has a fully vertical airflow filtration system, with air inlet from above and suction and filtration from below through two dry filters. Superior filtration is provided by four AHUs, each with a capacity of 55,000 m3 and combined with a cooling system with refrigeration units supplied by Eurotherm. In addition to the heat units fed by the gas burners, the upper part of the booth houses a humidification system and an additional moisture filtration device consisting of drop separators. The air enters the booth through a plenum space acting as the last stage of the filtration process, preventing dust from falling into the booth and affecting coating quality.
“The booth is pressurised with the controlled humidification system using atomising nozzles, according to our humidity standards,” says Tesio. “A reverse osmosis unit also provided by Eurotherm supplies the water to be atomised in the AHUs: in our experience, using mains water could clog the nozzles due to limescale. Another of our requests concerned the inspectability of the filter sections: they all had to be easily accessible from the ground.”
Inside the booth, the two mobile scaffolds have hydraulic (and not pneumatic) movement: “Again according to our experience, this handling solution avoids jerking, lack of movement continuity, and poor repeatability of the coater’s gestures due to vibrations,” explains
Fabio Di Donato, Special Process Expert at Alstom. “Inside the booth, the scaffolds move on three axes: right/left, up/down, and forward/backward. Based on that, we asked the installation team to equip the mobile scaffolds’ platforms with comfortable and ergonomic foot pedals and to position the joypad in a suitable way to avoid torso twisting.” Eurotherm did not struggle to meet this requirement: as Quartana points out, “For years now, we have replaced pneumatic handling technology with hydraulic technology to achieve the best work ergonomics and avoid having electrical components in the booth, thus meeting ATEX standards. In addition, to guarantee the minimum preparation and application distance and comfortable movement for the coater, we extended the length of the system by one metre compared with the initial design.” Finally, the control panel is also Industry 4.0-optimised to be userfriendly and be remotely connected with Eurotherm’s support team if needed.
In its Savigliano site, Alstom is currently manufacturing new trains for customers such as Trenitalia, STA - Strutture Trasporto Alto Adige SpA, and ÖBBPersonenverkehr AG. “Our new Eurotherm system has proven fundamental for the approval of the coating applied on these vehicles’ bodies. We started the plant at the beginning of November 2024 and achieved approval in record time before Christmas. That further proved that our new booth implements state-of-the-art technology, the result of the analysis and correction of past defects and a strategic resource for Alstom’s future, also in view of the expected increases in production volumes and our growth prospects.” ‹
The new booth implements state-of-the-art technology, the result of the analysis and correction of past defects and a strategic resource for Alstom’s future, also in view of the expected increases in production volumes and our growth prospects.
Alstom’s coating department is organised in two workstations, one devoted to surface preparation through cleaning and sandblasting and the other to paint application. “After sheet metal working,” Di Donato illustrates, “each train body is cleaned through industrial high-pressure washers spraying a surfactant to degrease and remove oils from its aluminium surfaces. After drying, sandblasting is carried out first automatically by a robot and then manually to treat the few remaining difficult-to-reach areas. From here, the train body reaches the coating station, equipped with several booths (the last one installed being the Eurotherm one) to carry out one of the available coating cycles depending on customer needs.” “The most flexible cycle entails the application of several layers of paint and an anti-graffiti adhesive film,” explains Federica Lenta, Special Process Manager at Alstom, “whereas in the most complex one, after the preparatory stages, several layers are applied (primer, filler, and base coat, each with its related smoothing operation) before the coloured or metallised paint. For areas with different colours and depending on each customer’s train livery, we use jigs to systematically replicate the colour scheme. The last step is the application of a clear coat to reach the required finish (gloss) degree and protect the surfaces against external agents such as abrasion, graffiti, weathering, and UV rays. For the roof and underbody, a lighter cycle is performed because they are non-visible elements of the train.” The livery depends on the customer’s project: “First of all, we look for the best compromise between design and industrial production, especially from a cost and technical feasibility perspective,” Di Donato concludes. “Every customer specifies the conditions in which the train will travel, including altitude, temperature range, rainfall frequency, hours of operation, and kilometres covered. A train travelling through Sicily will obviously not be subjected to the same stress factors (and, therefore, requirements) as one travelling through Trentino. Moreover, not only each train but also each body may require different colours. Therefore, the possibility of setting different programmes with suitable temperature, humidity, and air speed parameters depending on the necessary process steps is a benefit – also in terms of energy consumption. We will probably mainly use this new booth to finish the trains requiring a more complex coating cycle.”
by JOTUN A/S Sandefjord, Norway
Proven antifouling coatings and hull cleaning can have a positive impact in shipping’s drive for decarbonisation. However, there is a need for continued industry co-operation and insight sharing to find common agreement on best practices and standards if the untapped potential for further improvements is to be achieved, argued experts at the In-Port Inspection & Cleaning Conference (PortPIC).
Biofouling is acknowledged as the major vector for transfer of invasive aquatic species, and it has a significant impact on fuel consumption, operational costs and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In fact, poor hull and propeller performance accounts for almost 10% of world fleet energy costs and corresponding GHG emissions which translates to an additional expense of about USD 10bn a year for the world fleet, according to the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
Furthermore, regulation such as the EU Emission Trading System and the possible financial mid-term measures for GHG reduction being formulated at the IMO has made improving vessel performance by way of hull management more important than ever.
The PortPIC conference has grown in importance since its inception and attracts a mix of shipowners, operators, coatings manufacturers, technology providers, robotic and diver in-water cleaning companies, regulators and academia.
“An essential step in further shedding light on the topic and finding best practises and standardisations is actively engaging with industry stakeholders,” said Morten Sten Johansen, Jotun’s Global Category Director Hull Performance, “and that is why we co-founded PortPIC, to engage with them and get their own perspectives on the challenges and to see how we can work together to solve them.”
“It is important to have arenas like PortPIC and HullPIC along with the bigger commercial conferences like Nor-Shipping, Marintec, SMM Hamburg and Posidonia to mention just a few, which cut across competition, roles, mandates and where different views can enable us as an industry to make real progress. For Jotun, to contribute to this is a part of our Clean shipping commitment”, he added.
In 2024 PortPIC was held in Pontignano, Italy. The conference, now in its 5th edition, brought together over 50 industry representatives to discuss the latest developments in the field of hull management, with experts from ship operators, coatings manufacturers, technology providers, robotic and diver in-water cleaning companies, regulators and academia.
Discussions at the conference varied from technical sessions and research presentations to more general discussions about the way forward for the industry. One of the key drivers of PortPIC, Volker Bertram (DNV) covered recent innovations in hull fouling management options such as biocide-free antifouling solutions, nano-coatings including graphene-based coatings, and coatings with passive air lubrication. He also highlighted novel protection systems based on ultrasonic or ultraviolet radiation, as well as innovative cleaning devices.
“The progress towards more efficient and more sustainable hull management solutions in the last five years is impressive and encouraging,” said Bertram though he also questioned whether the combination of emerging cleaning methods is aligned with the new coating technologies, and if the regulators and port operators have caught up with the step-change underway.
“As communicated earlier, the evolution of technology must be encouraged by the port operators but they, understandably, also want to be sure that the new cleaning technologies match with the coating technology on the ships and, moreover, meet their environmental requirements,” said Bertram and added, “This barrier can be overcome through more cooperation and insight sharing.”
Anita Børve (Jotun) highlighted Jotun’s long history in antifouling coatings and continuous focus on hull performance stating “the main goal is a clean hull and optimised hull performance, and both our coatings, our digital services, our advisory and expertise, as well as our innovations like the Jotun HullSkater is based on our almost 100 years of in-depth industry knowledge and performance testing. It’s a continuation of our Clean shipping commitment, and the work we do to help reduce emissions, preserve fuel and protect the oceans’ biodiversity.”
Børve acknowledges that the regulatory landscape concerning underwater hull cleaning is crowded and complex. “Several international and local entities are working in parallel but still technologies and regulations are under development with various maturity and timelines,” she said, and also highlightsedthat existing methods of testing and ensuring water quality during in-water cleaning (IWC) are very comprehensive, labour and time consuming and do not match what is possible to achieve in practice during a normal port call.
Discussing a new method of testing water quality, she added, “Testing has also proven that proactive cleaning without capture can be done without imposing any excessive release of biocides as calculated by the MAM-PEC tool used by the competent authority in EU member states for assessing potential environmental risk from antifouling coatings.”
The Norwegian NGO Bellona, known for its recognised work globally as a technologyand solution-oriented organization focusing on environmental and climate challenges, was also a part of PortPIC. Its Clean Hull Initiative was covered by Irene Ø. Tvedten, who proceeded to highlight inconsistencies in global policies, the lack of regulating procedures for approval and how regulators imposed bans on in-water cleaning often lead shipowners to hesitate over conducting cleaning even if they can get access to services.
Tvedten also stressed the importance of collaboration and insight sharing and firmly believes the CHI can help raise awareness and drive the development of the ISO 6319 standard. This will provide several benefits, including an agreed “best practice” for in-water cleaning and help harmonise stakeholder requirements. Also, the standard, which will be published in January 2026 at the latest, will help
ports and relevant authorities evaluate requests for in-water cleaning, as well as help shipowners ensure that cleaning services are performed in a specific way regardless of location.
Tvedten added, “Despite the lack of port representatives at this event, PortPIC is still a very relevant conference because the importance of keeping updated is very high and the knowledge gained there can be shared with ports in other arenas.”
Other experts from the industry also shared their knowledge in what was an open and transparent environment at PortPIC. This spirit of co-operation will, in the bigger picture, help the industry and regulators to navigate and be aligned.
Sahan Abeysekara from Lloyd’s Register shared insight on LR’s Clean Hull notation which provides recognition of various hull management practices and quantifies it to a surveyable output – which could in turn serve as ‘compliance by design’ in the eyes of regulators and Port State Control.
EcoSubsea’s Abigail Robinson, who
has relevant experience as a regulator in New Zealand handling the world’s strictest biofouling regulations, discussed the merits of cleaning with and without capture and also called for more collaboration and the need for “fit-forpurpose regulations.”
Jotun’s Morten Sten Johansen added that “There’s certainly a step-change underway in terms of innovative solutions and the industry’s approach to hull efficiency and environmental protection, but more collaboration is key to opening the untapped potential of effective hull management, said Morten Sten Johansen, who also shared a presentation that addressed the subject of accurate risk assessments of biocide release rates under static conditions.
“As part of our Clean shipping commitment, Jotun invests significant resources in research and development and will continue to contribute to PortPIC and other important industry arenas so that shipping can become even more sustainable in the future.” ‹
Despite the lack of port representatives at this event, PORTPIC is still a very relevant conference because the importance of keeping updated is very high and the knowledge gained there can be shared with ports in other arenas
AkzoNobel has published new research showcasing the long-term protective benefits of lamellar glass flake epoxy coatings, supported by a 40-year case study on the Hutton Tension Leg Platform (TLP) project in the North Sea.
AkzoNobel’s protective coatings brand, International®, has released a groundbreaking study revealing that protective coatings with a higher lamellar glass flake content are the most effective for the longterm protection of offshore structures. Long term performance against corrosion offshore is heavily dependent on minimizing the propensity for damage during construction and in operation. Increasing pressure to extend the life spans of offshore assets beyond 40 years has created demand for reliable coatings that minimize costly maintenance and environmental impact. Glass flake is typically added to coating formulations to provide more robust films in protecting against impact and abrasion. International® examined the impact of varying concentrations of lamellar glass flake on the durability of its epoxy-based coating, Interzone® 1000. Epoxy is the most widely used technology for protecting assets in the offshore sector and alongside its proven longevity of track record, minimizes HSE risks of using polyester in initial fabrication.
The comprehensive ladder study compared coatings with varying glass flake contents. Key international standards, such as ISO 24656, place epoxy solutions with more than 20 per cent glass flake as the highest-performing technology for extending lifetimes for offshore structures. However, results of the study revealed that Interzone® 1000, with 33 per cent lamellar glass flake, offered superior long-term protection against products containing lower glass flake content. The study highlights a clear correlation between high glass flake content and the durability of the coating which is an industry first.
This extensive study was conducted by a well known third-party who validated these findings, further showing the performance benefits of higher glass flake content in offering protection that extends the lifetime of offshore assets, such as its increased durability, reduced need for maintenance, and therefore lower maintenance costs associated with the asset.
Findings from the published whitepaper include detailed new insights for owners, engineers and specifiers in the energy sector. In addition to this lnternational® study, the long-term impact of the coating has been monitored on the Hutton Tension Leg Platform (TLP), in the North Sea off the east coast of Scotland, for the past 40 years.
Interzone® 1000 was applied to the Hutton TLP in 1982. Inspections at its 30- and 40-year mark have confirmed the coating’s integrity, showcasing its exceptional resistance to corrosion and wear in extreme offshore conditions.
Willem Horn, Sub-Segment Manager O&G Upstream and Wind Energy, at AkzoNobel said: “There is a growing need and demand for extending the lifetime of offshore assets as the sector experiences increased investment. Today’s research is proof that there is a clear correlation between lamellar glass flake content and the durability of a coating.
“With a 40-year track record and proven real-life performance, Interzone® 1000 shows how epoxy solutions from International® remain the trusted and go-to technology for protecting offshore assets worldwide. Its optimized formulation has been proven to deliver unmatched durability, extending asset life and reinforcing confidence in sustainable energy transition, protecting more than 4,000 offshore assets globally.” ‹
by Ivano Magnifico, Automa S.r.l. - Ancona, Italy ivano.magnifico@byautoma.com
The ISO 15589-1 standard specifies the criteria for the IR-free potential values required for assessing cathodic protection effectiveness. The EN 13509 standard outlines methods for measuring IR-free potential: off-potential measurements, on pipes or coupons, aim to approximate IR-free values. This study examines remaining IR components, focusing on timing and reference electrode design in instant-off coupon measurements, which significantly impact results and remaining IR drop.
When measuring On potentials, the potential value read between the cables connected to pipeline and reference electrode (Fig. 1), is the sum, according to Kirchhoff’s second law, of all the potential differences in the loop that closes the measuring circuit: the IR-free potential and all the IR drops along the loop (on the measuring cables, on the length of pipeline between defects and cables, in the soil between the reference electrode and the coating defects on the coated pipeline).
Generally, IR drops on cables and along the pipeline are considered as negligible, so the Eon potential can be considered as follows (note: the formulas are intended to be only a qualitative reference, not to be used literally).
Where in (1) the sum is to be intended as a weighted average of all the IR drops in the soil (i.e.: a parallel of resistors) generated by the current flowing in the soil and the weight is mainly function of the distances di and the coating defects surface.
Considering also:
And considering current density instead of current, we can rewrite (1) as:
IR-free potential is, in turn, composed by three components, to be considered when depolarization will be taken into account later:
Where (depolarization times are indicated in ISO 22426 [1]):
Eeq: equilibrium potential of the metal with respect to the reference electrode used.
ηa: : overvoltage generated by activation polarization (associated with charge transfer)
- Depolarization: once switched off the currents generating polarization, it disappears in the order of 10-3 s
ηc : overvoltage generated by concentration polarization (associated with variation in electrolyte concentration)
- Depolarization: once switched off the currents generating polarization, it disappears starting from 10-2 s.
The currents to be considered for the IR drop are mainly of two kinds:
Currents that belong to the cathodic protection system itself
- CP current from T/Rs
- Equalising currents
This confirms how pipeline off potential cannot be considered as an IR-free potential, since some IR drop, from stray current or at least from equalizing currents, will still be present in the measured potential.
Currents that belong to sources external to the cathodic protection system (i.e.: stray currents).
CP current
In presence of CP current, the On potential is affected by the IR drop generated by the CP current flowing in the soil between pipe and reference electrode (IPC, Fig. 2).
Considering only the presence of CP current (IPC), (2) can be rewritten as:
These are currents (Ieq) flowing between areas with different polarization on the same pipe (i.e.: coating defects with different surfaces), and their effect is more significant when interrupting CP current from the T/Rs of the CP system (Fig. 3).
Considering only the presence of equalizing current (Ieq), (2) can be rewritten as:
Figure 2 - On potential measurement in presence of applied cathodic protection.
Figure 3 - Equalizing current effect when CP current is interrupted.
All the external currents (Ii) flowing in the portion of soil between the pipe and the reference electrode generate an IR drop that contributes to the potential read, whatever the source (e.g.: other CP systems, railways, etc.… Fig. 4).
Considering only the presence of external currents (I ), (2) can be rewritten as:
Considering all the currents described, and applying (4a), (4b) only when considering Off potentials, (4c) in (2), we obtain:
probe is the only technique that can be used in any condition, while Off potential measurement on pipeline can approach IRfree potential if protective current is the only one present.
T/Rs cyclic interruption: instant-off measurement on pipeline
When measuring Eoff on pipeline, by synchronously switching off all the T/Rs of the CP System, the only current switched off is the CP one (Fig. 5).
According to EN13509 [2], the European standard that proposes different measurement techniques for measuring IR-free potential according to the existing currents, an external potential test
This confirms how pipeline off potential cannot be considered as an IR-free potential, since some IR drop, from stray current or at least from equalizing currents, will still be present in the measured potential. Additionally, considering the necessity of waiting at least 300ms from T/R interruption before taking the measurement (according to ISO 15589-1), this results in a complete loss of the activation polarization in the IR-free potential.
To avoid the problems described in the Eoff on pipeline, the use of coupon is suggested in EN 13509, since it can be applied also in presence of stray currents.
Before checking the voltage components in the coupon off potential measurement, it can be useful to previously analyse what happens to the On potential when connecting the coupon (Fig. 6). A coupon represents a coating defect of known surface, positioned very close to the reference electrode, to reduce the distance (dc) from the reference electrode and by this, reducing also the IR drop that currents may generate in this little portion of soil.
By introducing this “new” resistance (Rc) in the parallel with the existing ones related to the paths between reference electrode and coating defects (Ri), the resulting ON potential will be affected, since the IR drop generated on Rc will make this one being dominant in the weighted average in (1).
This aspect assumes an importance when connecting a coupon for the first time, since the resulting On potential, can be significantly different from the historical On potentials read in the site before coupon connection.
The graph in Fig. 7 shows the effect of the connection of a 10 cm2 coupon, integrated in the Permanent Reference Electrode (PRE), in a test post of a 3LPE coated pipeline:
The potential measured every 1s is shown, with highlighted:
Eon: the On potential when coupon is not connected to pipeline (-2,9 V CSE)
Ecoupon: the On potential when coupon is connected to pipeline (-1,6V CSE)
Eoff: the Off potential measured on coupon (in the first value after coupon interruption, -0,9 V CSE).
It’s particularly evident that the coupon connection can modify the equivalent resistance of the parallel (Rc, R1, R2), thus reducing the IR drop in the On potential of about 1,3V (but not eliminating it completely, for the complete elimination of the IR drop, the Off on the coupon is still needed).
For this reason, in Italy, the Italian standard UNI 11094 added the definition of Ecoupon, to better identify the On potential measured with a coupon connected.
When performing Off on coupon, it is possible to interrupt any of the currents flowing, whatever the source (Fig. 8), so that equation (5) become:
Remembering the equation (3):
the timing in which the coupon off measurement is performed assumes a great importance, to avoid that a significant depolarization may happen, considering that disappears in the order of 10-3 s, while start disappearing after 10-2 s. When performing an off measurement on coupon, there are two parameters to consider while performing the measurement:
Delay time: time to wait from the moment interrupter is opened to the moment the measure starts.
Sampling time: time over which the measure is performed. These two parameters affect the amount of depolarization in the measure, as indicated in the example in Table 1, where the coupon off potentials measured on a test post with different parameters configuration, confirm an increased depolarization as more time passes from the coupon disconnection.
Activation polarization can be appreciated only in the first measurement (1 ms delay time, 1 ms sampling time), while starting from the second, also concentration polarization starts to disappear.
Fig. 9 shows an overview of the remaining IR drops and the depolarization effects according to the measurement technique used and timing.
Besides measure timing, the geometry of the reference electrode and its distance from coupon is fundamental to obtain a real IR-free potential from coupon off measurement, since some IR could still be present. When considering coupon off measurements, the source of the currents flowing in the coupon and in the soil does not matter anymore, and the only significative distinction can be done between currents entering the coupon (Ie, until coupon is connected to pipeline) and currents just passing in the soil between the coupon and the reference electrode (Ip) like shown in Fig. 10
On this perspective, the current densities described in (5) become:
And the Eoff potential on coupon (6) become:
Where:
ρ : soil resistivity
d c : distance between electrode and coupon
i p : current density of the currents passing in the soil between electrode and coupon.
To eliminate that remaining IR drop in coupon off measurement, the reference electrode design assumes an absolute importance.
Besides measure timing, the geometry of the reference electrode and its distance from coupon is fundamental to obtain a real IR-free potential from coupon off measurement, since some IR could still be present.
There are two practical solutions to reach the goal: a PRE geometry design that eliminates the effect of Ip a PRE design with the smallest possible distance dc (< 5 cm according to UNI 11094 [3]).
A geometry design that allows to eliminate completely the effect of Ip is a reference electrode with annular Coupon (Fig. 11). According to Kirchhoff’s first law, we know that the sum of the currents entering a node must be equal to the sum of the currents leaving the same node.
With this geometry, we obtain that = 0, and (8) become:
Using a PRE with annular coupon geometry (or any geometry that keeps a symmetric relative position between the coupon and the porous surface of the reference electrode) the off potential measured on coupon within 1 ms from the disconnection, corresponds to a real IR-free potential. When considering non-symmetrical geometry, the distance between coupon and reference electrode is fundamental to minimize the remaining IR drop in (8).
A distance < 5cm allows for a significative reduction, with negligible IR drop remaining, but is very important to consider the real distance and not only the minimum one between coupon and PRE, since in a configuration like in the second example in Fig. 12, while the minimum distance is effectively < 5 cm, the real distance is an “integration” between the minimum and the maximum distance, thus resulting in a significative IR drop remaining in the coupon Eoff potential.
As described in EN 13509, the only measuring technique that allows an IR-free measurement under all possible current conditions is the use of coupons or probes since the Eoff potential obtained by switching off the CP T/Rs still contains the IR components generated by equalizing currents and stray currents.
When measuring Eoff on coupons, performing a fast measurement after opening the switch is essential to avoid depolarization: a ‘fast’ Eoff measurement allows both activation polarization and concentration polarization to be appreciated, while a ‘slower’ Eoff measurement represents both an invalid condition for assessing overprotection, and a conservative condition for assessing protection.
The choice of the geometry design of the reference electrode with coupon is fundamental for properly considering as IR-free the Eoff measurement on coupons: the annular coupon configuration (or at least a symmetrical one to the electrode) is certainly the most effective for eliminating all IR, while in case of non-annular (or nonsymmetrical) configuration, the distance should be as smaller as possible (less than 5 cm according to UNI 11094), paying attention to not consider only the minimum distance between the coupon and the reference electrode surface, rather the average distance considering the whole extension of the reference electrode. If there would be a technical need for a large porous surface area for the reference electrode, smart constructive solutions should be adopted in order minimize the total distance from the coupon or maintain a symmetrical condition as far as possible. ‹ References
Figure 12 - Examples of PRE with non-symmetrical coupon.
REFERENCES:
[1] ISO 22426 (latest version), “Assessment of the effectiveness of cathodic protection based on coupon measurements”, (Geneva, Switzerland: ISO – International Organization for Standardization). [2] EN 13509 (latest version), “Cathodic protection measurement techniques”, (Brussels, Belgium; European Committee of Standardization).
[3] UNI 11094 (latest version), “Protezione catodica di strutture metalliche interrate - Criteri generali per l’attuazione, le verifiche e i controlli ad integrazione della ISO 15589-1 per sistemi di protezione catodica a corrente impressa o anodi galvanici”, (Milano, Italy: UNI – Ente Italiano di Normazione).
for long-term anti-corrosion and waterproofing thermoplastic coatings (anti-osmotic protection, electrical insulation, chemical resistance)
Temperature resistance from -40°C to +70°C approx
Resistance to extreme weathering, UV and salt spray protection
Immediate use of coated items
Easy to repair
- lm4 to ISO 12944-9 C5 - lm3 to ISO 12944-9
The conference delved into the topics of training, work-life balance and employability with regard to the attractiveness of companies for Generation Z candidates. The Call for Papers was opened for the contents of the IVS 2026 scientific programme, which aims to further increase the quality of the opportunities and topics for debate.
The sixth edition of the IVS Valve Industry Think Tank, the discussion event that gathered the leading players in the industrial valve industry, has taken place at the auditorium of Confindustria Bergamo, within the Kilometro Rosso Innovation District. The event was promoted by IVS - Industrial Valve Summit, the most important international event dedicated to industrial valve technologies and flow control solutions.
The conference was held in collaboration with VALVEcampus, the association for the training of Italian industrial valve manufacturers, a sector that represents excellence in the European competitive context. Almost 4 out of 10 Oil&Gas valves produced in Europe by 2022 are Made in Italy, where the sector’s production value is close to 3.0 billion (+12% compared to 2021). Numbers realised within an ecosystem of 139 companies (over 90% of turnover is realised within a radius of 100 km from the province of Bergamo) employing over 10,000 people.
IVS Valve Industry Think Tank, which developed around the theme ‘Designing the Future, Challenges and Opportunities for the Valve Supply Chain’, explored the challenges and opportunities shaping the industrial valve supply chain, with a strong focus on energy transition and sustainability.
The conference was opened by Luca Pandolfi, Confindustria Bergamo, Project Manager of IVS - Industrial Valve Summit, who talked about the objectives and previews of the upcoming Summit. Organised by Confindustria Bergamo and Promoberg, the event will be back again at the Fiera di Bergamo for its sixth edition, scheduled from 19 to 21 May, 2026. Keith Johnston, Vice-Chairman of the Digital Transformation Committee of the International Association of Oil&Gas Producers (IOGP), analysed the strategic
importance and benefits of Material Digital Passport (MDP) and its significant innovation in materials and equipment’s tracking, management and optimization during the lifecycle in Oil&Gas industry. Marc Schmidt, International Sales of AUMA Riester GmbH & Co. KG, explored the benefits of efficient data management through Smart MOV systems. Then Marco Moiola, Business Development Manager at S3P Italy, and Vittorio Bordiga, Senior Engineer at S3P Italy, discussed the evolutionary wear solutions of S³P technologies for stainless steels in Oil&Gas application.
The programme then proposed the panel ‘Present and future of the labour market’, which analysed topics related to training, work-life balance and employability with reference to the attractiveness of companies in the eyes of Generation Z candidates. Taking the stage were Marco Manzoni, Vice President of Confindustria Bergamo with responsibility for Education, and Massimiliano Medri, Vice President Staffing of Adecco Italia Spa.
«The issue of human resources is crucial to sustain a manufacturing system that
is among the most advanced in Europe - said Marco Manzoni -. However, even in our area, companies are experiencing, in a context of demographic decline, an increasing difficulty in attracting and keeping people and in finding suitable profiles, with a particular criticality for technical profiles. Our approach is multilevel to explore all possible avenues. We are working on the one hand, to increase the capacity of companies to dialogue with those entering the world of work for the first time and who are often bearers of different visions than in the past, with a greater focus on work-life balance, but are at the same time looking for values to share. On the other hand, there is a great investment in training, to help reduce the strong mismatch of skills, emphasising technical training and in particular the ITS segment, which is more in line with the needs of companies. The Oil&Gas sector is very indicative in this sense, since it is an area of excellence that expresses high technical and technological requirements, which we need to be able to intercept more and more to link them with the training chain».
Francesco Apuzzo, President of VALVEcampus, introduced the Scientific Committee and the guidelines of the IVS 2026 scientific programme, officially opening the Call for Papers, which will close on 31 October 2025. The macro topics around which the IVS Academy roundtables and content will focus are: development and innovation in the field of hydrogen; applications in Artificial Intelligence; additive manufacturing; critical issues in control valves; specificities of subsea valve actuation; surface treatment technologies; fugitive emissions from valves, the critical role of materials in leakage prevention; sealing materials and PFAS, how to navigate through the new regulations; throttling valves, precision flow control for high performance applications.
«With the presentation of the Call for Papers we are fostering the continuous exchange of knowledge and experience that characterises IVS - Industrial Valve Summit far beyond the three-day exhibition - said Francesco Apuzzo -. The guidelines to draft the scientific programme aim to further increase the quality of the round tables and individual talks, in synergy with the companies to proactively involve the key players of the supply chain. A shift that nominates VALVEcampus as a content producer, setting in motion resources and sub-committees, working directly with leading specialists».
Sissi Bellomo, journalist for “Il Sole 24 Ore”, took the floor at the end of the day’s events and discussed the topic of investments in the energy sector in times of war and great social and industrial transformation.
Starting in 2015, Fiera di Bergamo has been hosting IVSIndustrial Valve Summit, the most important international event dedicated to industrial valves and flow control technologies. Created by valve manufacturers associated with Confindustria Bergamo, the Summit is organised by Confindustria Bergamo and Promoberg. The fifth edition of the Summit wrapped up with a final influx of 15,000 visitors from 69 countries. The public, representing all five continents, marked a 25% higher attendance than at the fourth Summit, when the city of Bergamo attracted 12,000 guests. The protagonists of IVS 2024 were the 325 exhibitors (+13% compared to the 2022 edition) from 14 countries: along with Italy, the companies represented the industry sectors of Germany, Great Britain, the United States of America, France, Denmark, Spain, the Netherlands, Norway, the United Arab Emirates, South Africa, Turkey, Niger and the Czech Republic. The international element has proved to be booming, with foreign companies doubling compared to the fourth edition and reaching 20 per cent of the total number of exhibitors. The wide-ranging scientific programme of IVS 2024 also underwent
great development, with 52 events including conferences, round tables, workshops, case studies and laboratories, for a schedule over 50% greater than that of IVS 2022. These numbers tell how IVS has established itself as an essential showcase for the entire global supply chain connected to industrial valves and flow control.
VALVEcampus is the Association for the training of Italian manufacturers of industrial valves and components for the Oil&Gas and Power Generation industries. Established by six members to promote and spread the technical culture of industrial valves among professionals, it operates as a training agency in the areas of design, technical standards, metallurgy, sealing systems and industrial valve auxiliary components. Today it counts over 40 members and organises dozens of training courses and webinars every year. The Association is the reference scientific partner of IVS - Industrial Valve Summit, for which it is in charge of the conference organisation. VALVEcampus aims to promote the know-how, professionalism and international role of Italy within the supply chain with its many activities. The IVS Valve Industry Think Tank embodies the mission of the Association, as it acts as a forum where opinions, news and expectations of the market can be shared, and where new opportunities, scenarios and strategies can be discussed with players in the supply chain. ‹
15,000+ PARTICIPANTS
500+ EXHIBITORS
Edited by Cortec® Corporation
Cortec ® is a proud supplier of Vapour phase Corrosion Inhibitors for Vapour Pipe Shield, a patented corrosion protection system from General Air Products. Released in 2023, Vapour Pipe Shield is UL Listed for use in dry and pre-action fire sprinkler systems and is steadily gaining acceptance. New test results show the clear advantages of Vapour Pipe Shield, promising to reshape the industry’s approach to corrosion protection in fire sprinkler systems even further.
Dry pipe fire sprinkler systems are critical to fire protection strategies in areas subject to freezing temperatures and sensitive areas such as hospitals, museums, data centres, or any facility where sprinkler pipes are left unfilled due to the prospect of water leaking on delicate artifacts and equipment. Preventing corrosion inside these systems is critical to maintaining reliability and reducing the risk of costly sprinkler pipe replacements, frequent repairs, and - worse yetfailure. According to an article on “Nitrogen Generators for Dry Pipe Systems” by Mark Hopkins, Engineering Director at Summit Fire Consulting, an industry practice for corrosion protection over the last 15 years has been to purge as much oxygen as possible out of a sprinkler system using a nitrogen generator. Hopkins
explained that this method falls within the NFPA 13 Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems and (at 98% purity) allows contractors to use the Hazen Williams C-Value of 120 for hydraulic calculations.
However, maintaining the necessary level of 98% nitrogen purity has proven to be challenging in published testing.
To compare the effectiveness of Cortec® VpCI® (used in Vapour Pipe Shield) against compressed air (simulating untreated systems) and 98% nitrogen, General Air Products commissioned Corrosion Testing Laboratories, Inc., to conduct five years of testing on the subject. The first year of test data was released in December 2024, indicating that VpCI® protection was up to 7
times more effective on carbon steel coupons partially submerged in water than the protection of 98% nitrogen. Now, in the newly released version (2025 edition) of NFPA 13, the 120 C-Factor allowance has been extended to Vapour phase Corrosion Inhibitor delivery systems including Vapour Pipe Shield. This important change validates the effectiveness of Vapour Pipe Shield to inhibit corrosion in these systems and its rapid adoption by the fire protection industry.
The preceding test results raise the question: why would VpCI® have such an advantage over nitrogen purge? In answer, the benefits of VpCI® start with, but go beyond, corrosion protection.
VpCI® is extremely easy to apply and requires little maintenance.
Unlike a standalone nitrogen generator, the VpCI® delivery system is not dependent on a source of electricity.
VpCI® protects even in the presence of corrosive materials, when it is not possible to completely remove oxygen, water, or chlorides.
VpCI® is thorough, protecting in the liquid phase, vapour phase, and at the air-water interface, diffusing even into hard-to-reach areas like branch lines.
General Air Product’s test results only reinforce the already expanding industry adoption of VpCI® and Vapour Pipe Shield. To put this in perspective, Ray Fremont Jr., President of General Air Products, recently noted, “Since launching Vapour Pipe Shield in March 2023, we’ve seen tremendous adoption across North America, with over 500 installations to date. That milestone speaks not only to the effectiveness of VpCI® technology but also to its growing recognition as a game-changer for corrosion mitigation in dry and pre-action fire sprinkler systems.”
Cortec® is proud to partner with General Air Products in making this innovative corrosion inhibiting solution available for the protection of critical dry and pre-action fire sprinkler systems and looks forward to future developments as this technology’s application expands. Stay tuned for more game-changing updates expected in 2025! ‹
General Air Product’s test results only reinforce the already expanding industry adoption of VpCI® and Vapour Pipe Shield.
The forum for the corrosion protection community, exploring pipeline coatings, hydrogen transportation, new technology and markets
Panel discussion Evening Networking event Expert speakers
Martin van Agteren Principal Advisor Asset Management Gasunie
10 sponsors and exhibitors
Industry-leading speakers include:
Hassan Al-Sagour Chairman, Paints & Coatings Standards Committee
Saudi Aramco
Talal Al Nabhani
Materials and Integrity Manager
Petroleum Development Oman
Denis Melot Expert Non-Metallic Materials & Coatings TotalEnergies
Also sponsored by: Media Supporters:
German container terminals are applying Steelpaint’s new corrosion protection system, Stelcatec, to repair existing paintwork on ZPMC ship-to-shore cranes, following the Chinese manufacturer’s seal of approval in 2023.
Stelcatec the world’s first low-VOC, isocyanate-free polyurethane coating system, is being used to repair damaged original coatings on ZPMC cranes operated at container terminals in Hamburg, Bremerhaven and Wilhelmshaven.
Ahrensburg-based Adamium, which is contracted to maintain the terminals’ cranes, has completed work at the Wilhelmshaven terminal and will now carry out remedial coatings work to cranes at Hamburg and Bremerhaven over the next two to three years.
Dmitry Gromilin, Chief Technical Supervisor at Steelpaint, said:
“When protective coatings on ship-to-shore cranes get damaged a two-component epoxy is typically used for spot repairs, but if you don’t get the mixing right, the paint will blister and be ineffective in protecting against corrosion. It’s a long process and curing takes time.”
A two-component epoxy application can take weeks before an STS crane or gantry can return to normal operations. This is because drying time is heavily dependent on substrate temperatures. And if this is too low and the ambient temperature rises, the temperature difference can preclude these coatings from being applied until more favourable conditions prevail.
“Taking a ship-to-shore crane out of commission costs the terminal money, delaying container loading/unloading operations.
They wanted a ZPMC-approved one-component system that would obviate mixing errors, reduce material waste, speed up the drying process and reduce the time cranes are out of service,” said Steelpaint Sales Director Frank Müller.
“With Stelcatec-L, the coating can be applied and cured within a working day,” he said. The decision to select the new coating follows successful patch testing on equipment operated by one of Europe’s largest container terminals and logistics groups. The success of these trials and subsequent testing by ZPMC led to the original equipment manufacturer certifying Stelcatec for use on existing and newbuild cranes.
Achim Wallat, Adamium Project Manager, said: “Terminal operators want an effective, reliable and safe corrosion protection system capable of reducing maintenance costs and downtime. Compared to two-component epoxies, Stelcatec-L is a very impressive, durable coating system that we now specify for all our crane refurbishment projects.”
Taking four years’ research and development, Stelcatec is a single-pack moisture-curing paint based on a polyurethane free of Isocyanates. With a very low solvent content, the new coating can be applied by brush, roller or spray in temperatures ranging from -5°C to 50°C and environments where relative humidity is as high as 98%. Suitable for protecting steel exposed to corrosivity category C5, and meeting ISO12944 standards for 25 years’ protection, the Stelcatec range offers rapid drying times and high dry film thickness (DFT) of between 80 and 120µm.
“It is ideally suited for maintenance projects where time is of the essence,” said Müller. “As Stelcatec can be applied 24/7, nighttime repairs are possible, reducing the time and costs associated with touch up work. Terminal operators no longer have to take a crane out of service for weeks on end for coatings work.”
Operators of terminals in Asia are currently patch testing the Stelcatec technology, with Steelpaint expecting orders for full coat applications in coming months.
For more than 40 years, Steelpaint has enhanced the life and durability of heavy-industry facilities, particularly in the maritime sectors. Thanks to one-component polyurethane resins, the Germany-headquartered company’s special high-tech coatings have raised the technological bar in corrosion resistance, offering impressive benefits over conventional epoxy coatings solutions. Steelpaint is a subsidiary of the coatings company Emil Harrasser, founded in Kitzingen, Germany in 1890. Its products are used widely in port and offshore facilities, sheet pilings, internal and external linings, tanks, bridges, and ship structures. They can be used in combination with cathodic protection. ‹
In the surface treatment industry, trade fairs and events are essential opportunities to stay updated on the latest innovations, forge strategic partnerships, and expand professional networks. However, navigating the multitude of global trade fairs can be a daunting task for professionals. The fragmentation of information, overlapping dates, and lack of a comprehensive overview make it challenging to identify the most relevant events and efficiently plan one’s schedule. To address this need, an innovative web app has been developed to index all major trade fairs in the surface treatment sector. This tool aims to simplify the lives of professionals by providing a complete and organized overview of events, along with features designed to optimize time management and maximize business opportunities.
an ipcm® app
myFAIR is a web app launched by ipcm® at the end of 2022 to offer its community a tool to stay up-to-date with all major events happening in the surface treatment industry.
For years, we have been debating whether exhibitions are still a useful tool or companies looking for new customers. In the last 10 years, the world of trade fairs has completely reinvented itself, taking advantage of digitalisation and creating occasions where they did not exist before. Based on these reasons, we can safely say that trade fairs are still very important for fostering business relationships and promote a brand image and values. The consequence of this renewed interest in trade fairs is that events, particularly in the past two post-pandemic years, have multiplied, polarizing between a few international events that serve as the must-attend gatherings for the global industry on one hand, and numerous small, fragmented local events aimed at nurturing proximity relationships on the other.
The result? A significant challenge in navigating the plethora of fairs and conferences and organizing a visit or exhibition schedule, especially since attending them all is simply not feasible. Today’s world is marked by sudden and unpredictable changes
and moving at a rapid pace towards an increasingly digital ecosystem. This led us to rethink our annual Trade Show Calendar, listing the main events to be held in the surface treatment industry. We chose to better meet the sector’s need by approaching our calendar in a new way and transforming what was previously a digital and printed brochure into a web app accessible from any device: myFAIR.
A web app is a versatile tool that can be accessed from both desktop and mobile devices, which does not require downloading from the store. Nevertheless, it is possible to create a shortcut directly in the smartphone menu, making access to the app quick and easy.myFAIR is therefore a free, up-to-date, and highly interactive tool at the service of professionals in the surface treatment industry (and beyond) for the organisation of their trade fair agenda, both as exhibitors and visitors.
Through the myFAIR web app, users can browse, filter, add to favourites, trigger alerts, and get up-to-date information on the world’s most important events happening in the industrial finishing sector.
The Fairs section shows all trade fairs in alphabetical order. The list can be filtered by country and category. It is also possible to type the name of an exhibition directly into the search bar for even faster access to information on a particular event.
Tapping on the name of a trade fair takes the user to the specific tab for that event, with up-to-date information on dates, location, focus, and website. From here, it is also possible to get directions to the event location directly on Google Maps and add the trade fair to favourites, in order to receive alerts in case of new updates. There is also a list of related trade fairs by sector.
The Schedule section allows filtering the trade fairs by month and year. This is an easy way to organise one’s schedule on a monthly basis and check which exhibitions are going to be held in a particular month with a few touches. Here, too, it is possible to apply additional country and product category filters.
The Suppliers’ section presents a list of suppliers of various services that revolve around the world of trade fairs: from catering to stand construction, from translations to hostess and steward services, from communication to digital printing, from gadget creation to logistics.
Companies can be filtered according to the services offered and a simple tap takes the user to a detailed tab with the main contact information.
myFAIR it is not only a useful tool for organising ones’ own trade fair calendar. It also offers an interesting opportunity for companies to promote themselves to a highly specialised target group, under the aegis of the prestigious ipcm® brand.
The providers of services for exhibitors have a dedicated section where they can upload their company profile and contact information.
Exhibitors, visitors, and trade fair organisations can rely on three display advertising options to promote their business.
OMC Med Energy 2025 has been the most important event for the energy industry in the Mediterranean region for over 30 years. The next edition will take place from April 8 to 10, 2025, in Ravenna (Italy).
Over the years, OMC Med Energy has supported the growth and success of numerous companies by offering unparalleled networking opportunities, business meetings, and valuable insights into the latest industry trends.
The exhibition and conference host more than 14,000 participants from over 27 countries and over 400 exhibiting companies during the 3-day event. The event includes more than 200 technical sessions, as well as corporate and institutional panels, thanks to the involvement of all the international stakeholders, including associations, public bodies, media, private entities, and the exhibitors themselves.
OMC Med Energy 2025 is a cross-sector event that covers the entire energy industry value chain, with the participation of various sectors: energy producers from both traditional and renewable sources, engineering, procurement, construction and management, maritime equipment and shipping, terminals, storage and bunkering, power generation/transmission, distribution, finance, health and safety, environment, digital technologies, IoT, automation, transport, and logistics. The event also includes a dedicated area for B2B Energy Business Meetings, focused on meetings between national and international operators, managed by the Eurosportello agency in collaboration with the EU. Additionally, there will be a space for company presentations by exhibitors and the Innovation Room, which will host three days dedicated to startups, youth, and development projects in the Mediterranean.
www.omc.it/en
With the drive towards NetZero (target 2050) there is an anticipated drop in consumption of oil products. However, natural gas demand is expected to be driven by increasing requirements in emerging economies, offset by a shift away from natural gas to greater electrification and lower carbon fuels. The net impact depends on the speed of the energy transition but overall there is an anticipated increase in demand for natural gas. For NetZero, around 80% of natural gas consumption will be required to be abated with CCUS by 2050, mainly in the industrial and power sectors and in the production of blue hydrogen. So despite the penetration of thermoplastic composite pipe (TCP) and other non-metallic pipe solutions into the pipeline market, there will continue to be demand for steel pipes which can be produced in larger diameters than any current polymer-based solution, making them more suitable for transmission solutions. Carbon steel pipelines bring with them the requirement for corrosion protection which still holds a dominant market share in pipe coatings (60% in 2023), especially in sectors like oil and gas where pipelines are especially susceptible to corrosive environments. Mechanical protection also commands a significant share, addressing the need for impact resistance and structural integrity. Thermal insulation coatings also contribute notably to the market share, driven by their application in industries requiring temperature control.
Pipeline Coating is the go-to event for exploring new-generation coatings and technologies and offers unparalleled networking opportunities for building long-lasting business relationships across the sector. The next highly-anticipated 18th edition of Pipeline Coating will take place on 11-13 February 2025 in Vienna, Austria. Oil and gas operators may be eligible for an exclusive discount of up to 50%* on delegate places. For more information on eligibility, please contact Harriet White at harriet.white@amiplastics.com
Key topics will be explored by leading experts, including:
Operators’ Current Challenges, Future Plans and Requirements - Where is Innovation Needed?
Keynote presentations by Petroleum Development Oman and Saudi Aramco
Hydrogen and CCUS Pipeline Developments and Testing
Presentations by Gasunie and Saipem
Market Outlook – Global Trends, Revision of Standards, Evolving Challenges
Presentations by AMI and Damcoating
How to Drive Sustainability and Reduce the Carbon Footprint of Pipeline Coatings?
Presentations and panel contributions from AkzoNobel and TotalEnergies
Field Joint Coatings – New Technologies and Applications
Presentations by CRC Evans and Charter Coating Service (2000)
Addressing Existing Challenges with New Approaches and Technologies
Presentations by Sherwin-Williams, ODYSEA and Petroleum Development Oman.
Enhance your brand image and promote products and services by becoming a sponsor or exhibitor. With only 8 stands remaining in the exhibition room, early booking is recommended to ensure extra visibility. For more information, please contact Harriet White at harriet.white@amiplastics.com.
Companies already signed up to exhibit include: AkzoNobel, Altrad, Axalta, Borealis, Charter coating, Inductotherm, Kaneka, ODYSEA, Selmers, Sherwin-Williams, Uncountable.
After the first day of engaging sessions, attendees are invited to join the networking event at Das Rose. This is an excellent opportunity to continue discussions and build lasting relationships with other participants. To join, simply add the party to the booking - www.ami. ltd/book-pipeline.
Group discounts are available. For more information, please contact AMI.
Discounts cannot be used in conjunction with other offers.
www.ami.ltd/book-pipeline
In March 2025, StocExpo will celebrate its 20th anniversary as the leading global platform for the bulk liquid storage industry. From its humble beginnings in 2005 in Rotterdam, where a community of tank storage professionals first gathered amid a snow-covered landscape, to its current status as a must-attend international event, StocExpo has grown exponentially. This milestone anniversary represents two decades of successful exhibitions and forging lasting connections, facilitating countless business deals, and evolving in tandem with an industry facing constant transformation.
Margaret Dunn, who has been with StocExpo almost from its inception, captures the essence of this transformation: “StocExpo has evolved tremendously over the past 20 years, from focusing primarily on oil and gas storage to becoming the go-to event for energy infrastructure, future fuels, and digitalisation.” The event is now more than a conference and exhibition; it is a vital meeting place where the tank storage community comes together to address the challenges and opportunities that have emerged from a rapidly shifting energy landscape.
When the first StocExpo was held, the focus was firmly on oil and gas storage. Over the years, as the energy sector has adapted to technological advances and environmental imperatives, StocExpo has mirrored these shifts. Today, the event offers a comprehensive view of the energy storage landscape, including key topics such as hydrogen, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), biofuels, and ammonia.
“Hydrogen is going to be a key part of the future clean energy mix,” Dunn notes. “The energy transport, storage, and logistics sector will be crucial to match hydrogen supply with international demand.” The addition of the Clean Ammonia Storage Conference at this year’s event is a testament to the vital role new fuels will play in the future energy economy.
“StocExpo has had a long-lasting impact on Belven over the years,” Philippe Wauters, General Sales Manager at Belven, adds.
“A couple of years ago, we were able to finalise an approximately €2 million deal with an important customer during StocExpo – this is something you don’t forget in a hurry.” Wauters sees the next twenty years bringing even more evolution, particularly in the increased demand for new fuels like ammonia and hydrogen. The evolution of StocExpo can also be seen in its partnerships. This year, Sprint Robotics joined forces at the event, underscoring the importance of robotics and drones in improving the safety and efficiency of tank inspections. Sprint Robotics’ demonstration area at StocExpo 2025 will showcase the latest technological
advancements, allowing attendees to witness first-hand how robotics transforms site operations and makes the tank storage industry safer and more efficient.
Technological innovation has always been a cornerstone of the StocExpo experience. In the early years, the excitement lay in automation and inspection technologies. Alec Keeler of Carbis Loadtec recalls the interest in drones and internal tank inspection robots as key trends that emerged over the years. “I have seen huge growth in automation in various forms,” Keeler says. “It is always interesting to walk around and see what’s trending.” Keeler also highlights the event’s role in giving suppliers and attendees a real sense of industry momentum.
This year, StocExpo will feature the Future Fuels Stage, focusing
solely on future fuel storage innovations. Here, experts will discuss everything from sustainable aviation fuel to blue-sky ideas involving hydrogen, offering insights into how the tank storage industry can adapt to the ongoing energy transition. Additionally, the StocExpo Spotlight trail will guide attendees through exhibitors showcasing cutting-edge future fuel technologies, helping operators and stakeholders find the solutions they need for a greener future.
A new and exciting addition for 2025 is the North America Pavilion, which aims to bring a fresh international perspective to the event. The pavilion will allow North American companies to showcase their expertise to a European and global audience, highlighting innovations and trends from across the Atlantic. As the industry continues to globalise, initiatives like this help ensure that StocExpo remains at the forefront of connecting professionals across borders and catalysing growth opportunities.
Over the past two decades, StocExpo has been defined by the relationships forged in its bustling exhibition halls and during its events. To commemorate this anniversary, a special off-site networking party will be held in central Rotterdam, providing another opportunity for attendees to connect with their peers in a festive atmosphere. Networking is one of the critical elements that has kept companies returning year after year. “The event provides a wider audience for our philosophy, passion, and products and the ability to make meaningful connections,” Keeler continues. “A good number of which we are proud to call friends.”
This year, StocExpo is taking a step further by launching an exclusive tour of Liquin Terminal, a leader in liquid tank storage with over 70 years of experience. The tour will allow attendees to explore Liquin’s facilities up close, gaining insights into the company’s advanced logistics systems and how they contribute to the reliability and resilience of their industries.
Liquin’s commitment to sustainability and innovation perfectly embodies the values that StocExpo has championed throughout its two decades of existence. Dunn emphasises the importance of this sense of community: “StocExpo prides itself on being the global meeting place for those involved in safe and sustainable energy storage and logistics,” she explains. “The longevity and success of the event are due in no small part to the strong relationships it has helped build.” This sentiment is echoed by Philippe Wauters from Belven, who notes that StocExpo offers a unique opportunity to meet new customers and gather feedback on product development, critical insights that help businesses evolve in a changing market.
As StocExpo moves into its third decade, the challenges and opportunities facing the tank storage industry have never been more complex. The ongoing energy transition is placing unprecedented demands on the sector, with companies needing to balance their existing operations with developing new
infrastructure for future fuels. StocExpo is at the heart of this transformation, offering a platform for open discussion, sharing best practices, and promoting innovation. The Clean Ammonia Storage Conference, a partnership with the NH3 Event, is one such initiative that seeks to address these challenges head-on. “Ammonia’s role in the energy transition is becoming increasingly significant,” Dunn explains. “This partnership will ensure logistics service providers from all over the globe can stay up to date with the latest future fuel regulations and meet the partners they need to develop this rapidly growing market.” This specialised content is crucial for helping the industry navigate the complexities of transitioning to new energy sources.
But it is not all about conferences and keynote speakers. StocExpo has always been about creating memorable experiences, and the 20th-anniversary edition will be no different. From live demonstrations of robotics and drones by Sprint Robotics to a resident DJ at the evening networking party, this year’s event promises to be a celebration of the past two decades and an optimistic look to the future.
The 20th anniversary of StocExpo is a celebration not just of the event itself but also of the tank storage industry and all the individuals, companies, and innovations that have contributed to its evolution. From technological advancements in automation and robotics to the rise of future fuels and the ongoing energy transition, StocExpo has been there every step, providing the platform for the industry to connect, grow, and innovate. As the industry looks ahead, the lessons of the past two decades are clear: collaboration, innovation, and adaptability will be key. StocExpo has been instrumental in fostering these qualities, bringing together stakeholders from across the value chain and giving them the tools and connections they need to succeed. “We look forward to welcoming attendees from across the globe to what promises to be our most revolutionary edition yet,” Dunn concludes. Join the global tank storage community at StocExpo 2025 in Rotterdam for an unforgettable celebration of 20 years of industry excellence. Save the date, 11-12 March, and be part of the future of energy storage: www.stocexpo.com
Scan the QR Codes to learn more about StocExpo, and register to attend for free
The International Partnering Forum (IPF) is the largest offshore wind and ocean renewables conference in the Americas. In 2025, IPF will take place April 28-May 1 in Virginia Beach, Virginia (United States). Hosted by Oceantic Network, it is where industry experts from around the world come together to transform the industry through collaboration and innovation. Featuring thousands of attendees, hundreds of speakers and numerous sessions, IPF is where you make connections, grow your business, and access insider knowledge you need to navigate the changing and growing industry. At 2025 IPF At the IPF, the momentum of the U.S. and global offshore wind industry will be celebrated. This strong and resilient industry is powering ahead, creating good paying jobs, building strong communities, and mitigating the impacts of climate change. Together, we Power ON.
Coastal Virginia has quickly become a major player in the offshore wind industry. Offshore wind companies have been setting up shops and existing suppliers are rapidly expanding in preparation for upcoming offshore wind projects.
One of the world’s largest ventures, the Coastal Virginia Offshore
Wind (CVOW) project, is expected to start construction in 2024. Once it is complete, the 2.6 GW project will be comprised of 176 monopiles, towers, and nacelles, and will generate a swarm of installation, operations, and maintenance activity. The region also holds the distinct honor of soon being the home base to the nation’s first American-flagged Wind Turbine Installation Vessel (WTIV). As these projects come online, Hampton Roads and Virginia Beach will serve as installation and operations hubs creating new jobs, business development opportunities and an active supply chain.
Oceantic Network is a non-profit organization whose driving purpose is to inform, coordinate, and mobilize human ingenuity, enterprise, and labor to take advantage of the urgent need to tap the vast offshore wind and renewable energy resources that lie in the world’s oceans. The collective, coordinated efforts of our 600+ members equip communities and nations to accelerate the transition to clean energy and create economic opportunities.
www.2025IPF.com
While awaiting the annual event, which will take place at the Bella Center in Copenhagen from April 8 to 10, 2025, and is expected to host over 500 exhibitors and 15,000 visitors, we are sharing the latest press release from the WindEurope organization, which provides an overview of the current situation in the sector.
Wind energy was 20% of all the electricity consumed in Europe. But Europe is not building enough new wind farms. The EU built only 13 GW last year, well below the 30 GW a year it needs to meet its 2030 energy targets. There are 3 problems: (a) most Governments are not applying the new EU permitting rules; (b) new grid connections are delayed; and (c) the slow pace of electrification is holding back demand. Governments are auctioning more new wind farms. So more new projects should be built provided Europe solves those 3 problems and there’s a proper business case for building them. According to first WindEurope estimates, Europe built 15 GW of new wind energy in 2024: 13 GW onshore and 2.3 GW offshore. The EU accounted for 13 GW of this: 11.4 GW onshore and 1.4 GW offshore. To reach its 2030 energy and climate targets the EU should be building 30 GW a year of new wind farms. Wind generated 20% of all electricity consumed in Europe – and 19% in the EU. The EU wants this share to grow to 34% by 2030 and more than 50% by 2050.
“Europe is not building enough new wind farms. For 3 main reasons – a) most Governments are not applying the good EU permitting rules – they’ve got to follow Germany’s example here; b) new grid connections are delayed; and c) Europe is not electrifying its economy quickly enough. The EU must urgently tackle all three problems. More wind means cheaper power which means increased competitiveness”, says WindEurope CEO Giles Dickson.
Slow and cumbersome permitting remains a key hurdle to the expansion of wind energy. Despite the entry into force of binding new EU permitting rules, many countries have not implemented them into national law yet. The permitting situation has actually worsened in 2024. That’s frustrating given that the few countries which applied the EU permitting rules – binding permitting deadlines, the principle of overriding public interest – have proven how effective its measures are. Take Germany: they permitted almost 15 GW of new onshore wind. That’s a new national record and 7 times more than five years ago. Governments must follow Germany’s example if they are serious about energy security and industrial competitiveness.
Getting access to the electricity grid is now the number one bottleneck to deploying wind energy. Immediate action is needed to unblock grid capacity1. Currently more than 500 GW of potential wind energy capacity are waiting for an assessment of their grid connection applications. But it’s not only the grid connection queues. Europe is generally not expanding its electricity grids fast enough. One negative example stands out: the 900 MW Borkum Riffgrund 3 offshore wind farm in Germany is fully installed but waiting for a grid connection. The Transmission System Operator will not be able to connect the wind farm to the German grid before 2026. Similarly, Europe is not electrifying its economy fast enough. 23% of all energy consumed in the EU is electricity. This needs to increase to 61% by 2050. Electrification rates are stalling, especially in mobility, heating and industry. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has tasked Commissioner for Energy and Housing Dan Jørgensen to present an Electrification Action Plan. This cannot happen fast enough.
Europe awarded more new wind capacity in Government auctions than ever before. The 37 GW awarded (29 GW awarded in the EU) are a record and are in theory good news for the future pipeline and built-out. But urgent action is needed on permitting, grids and electrification in order to deliver a substantial increase in annual buildout rates.
Europe financed an estimated 19 GW of new wind energy in 2024, slightly down on the 21 GW financed in 2023. This includes robust onshore wind investments of €24bn. But offshore wind investments were significantly down on 2023. It remains very challenging to take final investment decisions for offshore wind farms.
Wind energy continues to attract growing interest from corporate electricity consumers. Corporates understand the business case for sourcing wind power. 50% of all electricity contracted under new Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) in Europe in 2024 was wind. Dedicated wind PPAs were 4 GW out of a total of 12 GW of renewable PPAs. But 1 GW of wind gives you twice as much electricity than 1 GW of solar.
https://windeurope.org/annual2025
1 https://windeurope.org/newsroom/press-releases/immediate-actions-needed-to-unblock-gridcapacity-for-more-wind-energy/
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Celebrating 20 years of industry excellence
80% of exhibitors would recommend StocExpo
100+ countries
64% of visitors were at a managerial level or above
3,574 attendees
92% of visitors will return in 2025
150+ exhibitors
It’s my first time coming to StocExpo, and I’m happy with what I’ve experienced so far! The conference has been engaging, covering a wide range of topics that have kept me interested throughout!
Jan Gelens, Safety Advisor, Vopak
