Leading coatings manufacturer Hempel announced today the release of Hempadur Multi-Strength 35460, a new solvent-free version of its best-selling protective coating for offshore wind turbine foundations. As well as helping wind turbine manufacturers reduce solvent emissions, the new coating offers a six-hour drying time, one of the fastest in the industry and is gentler on the environment.
On 13 September, Hempel will launch a new solvent-free version of the product, called Hempadur Multi-Strength 35460, developed specifically for splash zone protection of offshore steel structures. Hempadur Multi-Strength 35460 is the solvent-free version of the 45753 product line, which is already one of the world’s most popular protective coatings for offshore wind turbine foundations.
It has been used on more than 20 wind farms, including Walney Offshore Wind Farm in the Irish Sea, the world’s largest wind farm with a capacity of 375 MW.
According to Anders Voldsgaard Clausen, Group Wind Power Segment Manager at Hempel , the new product will help wind turbine manufacturers meet tough new regulations on solvent emissions.
“We’re very pleased to be able to release a completely solvent-free version of this coating. Like its predecessor, Hempadur Multi-Strength 35460 is extremely tough and well-suited to harsh marine environments. As it is solvent-free, gentler on the environment, and it enables manufacturers to meet increasingly strict guidelines on solvents, while guaranteeing the very best protection for their offshore turbines,” commented Clausen .
Hempadur Multi-Strength 35460 has been developed with a focus on improving efficiency – and ultimately lowering costs – for customers. At just six hours, it dries two hours faster than Hempadur Multi-Strength 45753.
Anders Voldsgaard Clausen believes this can have a major impact on a wind turbine manufacturer’s productivity: “It depends on the production set-up, but a six-hour drying times makes it possible for most factories to coat a foundation twice within the same shift. This means faster production, higher efficiency and ultimately lower costs for the manufacturer.”
Hempadur Multi-strength 35460 is pre-qualified for immersion service, splash zones, etc. according to NORSOK M-501 edition 5 & ISO 20340. It will be available from 13 September.
According to MAKE Consulting, the offshore wind industry is by far the fastest growing power generation industry in Europe. The latest forecast from MAKE Consulting shows that the industry is expected to grow by 34 per cent from 2012 to 2016.
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Press release, September 13, 2012; Image: ABJV