World leading coatings manufacturer Hempel has officially launched its new generation fire-protection coating – Hempafire Optima 500 – in Bahrain to safeguard civil steel structures.

The product has specifically been designed to improve the productivity of passive fire protection (PFP) coating applications by reducing the number of coats required and the process time required to apply them, said the company in a statement.

The coating is also environmentally compliant as has less than one per cent of volatile organic compounds (VOC) content in accordance with ISO 11890 requirements, it added.

Announcing the launch at a glittering event held in the Westin Le Meridian City Center, Group Product Manager (Cellulosic PFP) Roger Soler said: “When developing Hempafire Optima 500, we created a coating to enhance efficiency for customers by increasing their productivity and reducing costs.”

“Thickness build-up of the coating can be achieved in less coats that dry faster. Thus, application costs and time to deliver are reduced. We also wanted a coating that outperforms in warm climates such as those found in the Middle East and in parts of Europe. We have managed to achieve this without compromising the protection or the aesthetic finish,” stated Soler.

Hempafire Optima 500, a product of Hempel’s Research and Development  (R&D) Centre of Excellence, helps to maintain the stability of steel structures in large infrastructure buildings such as airports, stadiums and commercial centres by delivering up to 180 minutes protection against cellulosic fires, being optimised for 120 minutes.

The fire protection coating, which can be used for both open and closed steel sections, is fast drying and highly resistant to sagging.

The application which can be delivered in two days as part of Hempel’s PFP system, outperforms in warm conditions and provides two-hour fire protection in ISO 12944 C3 interior environments.

The ease of application allows customers to improve their painting process by reducing the number of coats needed, minimising drying times and maximising the speed of the application. Taken together, these properties save both time and money as projects can be completed faster and with lower total application costs, said senior officials at the event.

Hempafire Optima 500, which is now available in Bahrain, and throughout the Middle East, will soon hit the European market.

As a leading company, Hempel has shown commitment to the region through continuous product development and expansion.

Late last year, it recorded a new industry milestone when it inaugurated its new state-of-the-art plant–the most advanced solvent based coatings plant in the Middle East.

Built with an estimated cost of $8.5 million, the factory is Hempel’s contribution to the Saudi Arabia’s growth strategy as envisioned in the 2030 vision.

According to a company spokesman: “The new solvent-based coatings plant marks a significant milestone for Hempel in Saudi Arabia, which is a vital market for us. We strive to continuously improve the quality of products and service for our customers using cutting-edge technology.”

He said the new facility would play a significant role in boosting local economy and creating new job opportunities, all in line with our commitment towards making the 2030 vision a reality.

Hempel’s new facility is located in Jeddah’s Second Industrial City over 15,000 sq m and can produce up to 12 million litres per year of supply coatings to the marine and protective segments.

This investment is a significant step towards maintaining and growing Hempel’s leadership position in the coating industry – and as the supplier to one of the world’s top leading oil companies, Saudi Aramco and their business partners, said the spokesman.

Production at the new factory started in September 2019.Business for Hempel has been good; 2019 was a year of progress.

According to the spokesman: “The global coatings market is expected to pick up and Hempel anticipates delivering underlying organic growth in line with or slightly better than the market.”