International. Hempel announced that it is investing in a new research and development center focused exclusively on passive fire protection coatings. Located just outside barcelona, Spain, the center will open towards the end of 2018.
Passive fire protection (PFP) coatings applied to structural steel in large oil and gas industrial buildings and facilities expand to form an insulating layer of coal when exposed to high temperatures. This allows the steel to maintain its carrying capacity for up to four more hours during a fire, giving people valuable time to escape the building and for firefighters to put out the fire.
A new R&D facility focused exclusively on PFP coatings will allow Hempel to further expand its PFP product range, including the development of PFP coatings for hydrocarbon fires, found in the oil and gas industry.
Lars Petersson, Group Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Hempel, commented: "The new facility will significantly increase our fire testing capabilities, allowing us to expand and accelerate the development of PFP coatings, which is important to our company strategy and will benefit many customers who have the safety of their employees as a priority."
The new facility will employ 35 experienced technicians and scientists. It is located in Santa Perpètua de Mogoda, near Barcelona, five kilometers from Hempel's existing R&D facilities and the Spanish headquarters in Polinyà, founded in 1964 (although Hempel's presence in Spain dates back to the twenties).
