Akzo Nobel Attacked by Hackers

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NEWSMAKERS:  * AI Corrosion Assessment * Akzo Nobel * ANIP * Australian  Institute  for  Machine  Learning  (AIML) * Coating Condition Survey * Coating Failures * Epoxy Coatings * Epoxy Phenolics * ExcelPlas Labs * Experts App * Failure Analysis * Hempel * Humidur * International Paints * Jotun * Matrix Composites * Protective Coatings * Self-Healing Coatings * Sherwin Williams * Sparc * Woodside


BREAKING NEWS

Akzo Nobel Attacked by Hackers
They managed to steal approximately 170,000 files from the company

Australian Distributor for Humidur™ Coatings Posts Significant Net Loss of $9.4 million, Compared to a Net Profit of $1.0 million in the Previous Half-Year. This represents a decrease of 1,014.4%
Woodside is the largest customer for Humidur Coatings systems in Australia

Sparc Technologies Partner with AIML to Develop AI Driven Corrosion Assessment Software

  • The software tool utilises advanced computer vision and machine learning to significantly improve the efficiency and accuracy of manual coatings performance assessment 
  • Sparc estimates an addressable market of ~850 labs across the coatings industry, testing and research houses and end-users performing relevant coatings performance assessment 
  • A pilot project has validated proof-of-concept under ISO 12944 corrosion boundary testing

FINANCIAL NEWS

Hempel Reports Record-Breaking Profitability in 2025
Hempel has achieved its highest profitability to date, with a free cash flow of EUR 259 million and an adjusted EBITDA margin of 18.2 %. Strong performance in the Marine segment and continued progress on ESG goals underline its resilience amid global challenges.

Record 2025 Profitability Strengthens Hempel for Future Growth
Reports significant positive development with best free cash flow to date of €259 million, up from €139 million in 2024.

INDUSTRY NEWS

Sherwin Williams Coating Protecting Foundations of North Sea Wind Farm
A corrosion protection coating system from Sherwin-Williams has been applied to the monopile foundations of the He Dreiht offshore wind farm in the North Sea.

GRAPHENE-BASED PROTECTIVE COATINGS

Multifunctional Graphene Nanofiller-Enabled Epoxy Coating for Synergistic Corrosion Visualization, Self-Healing, and Long-Term Corrosion Resistance

Design of Thermoplastic and Few-Layer Graphene Modified Epoxy Coatings With Semi-Interpenetrating Polymer Networks for Hydrogen-Bond Mediated Self-Healing and Mechanical Performance Enhancement

SELF-HEALING COATINGS

Progress of Microcapsule Anti-corrosion and Self-Healing Coatings

Long-chain Alkyl Modified Ti3C2Tx MXene: A Promising Material for Self-Healing Superhydrophobic Composite Coatings

Multifunctional Graphene Nanofiller-Enabled Epoxy Coating for Synergistic Corrosion Visualization, Self-Healing, and Long-Term Corrosion Resistance

NEW MARINE COATINGS

Urushiol-Derivative Modified Epoxy Coating for Marine Anti-Corrosion and Anti-Fouling

Investigation of ZIF-L@g-C3N4-Modified Epoxy Coatings for Enhanced Corrosion Protection of Carbon Steel in Marine Environments

NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN PROTECTIVE COATINGS

Diamino Double-Decker Silsesquioxane as a Reactive Nanoadditive to Enhance the Corrosion Resistance of Epoxy Coatings

Sustainable Anti-Corrosive Coating of Epoxy Resin-based Ce–Mn oxide Nanocomposite in Salt-Spray and Marine Environments

Effect of Different Levels of Cleanness of the Pre-coat Surface on Adhesion and Corrosion Performance of A36 Steel with Epoxy Coating

Breaking the Tribocorrosion Threat: An active-passive PANI microcapsules@MXene network enabling on-demand healing and lubrication in epoxy coatings

Multifunctional Copolymers for Controlled Release and Compatibilization in Protective Coatings

Enhanced Durability of Steel Reinforcement Protected by an Epoxy/Al Composite Coating in Chloride-Contaminated Pore Solution

The Aging Behaviour and Failure Mechanism of Epoxy-Acrylic Polyurethane Coating System Under Different Accelerated Testing Methods

New Lightweight Polymer Film Can Prevent Corrosion | MIT News | Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Zinc Oxide Nanofillers Optimise Fluoropolymer Coatings for Enhanced Corrosion Protection – European Coatings

COATINGS FAILURE ANALYSIS

Exploring Epoxy Coating Failures with ExcelPlas Labs
While epoxy coatings are generally durable and effective at preventing corrosion, there are a few common types of epoxy coating failures that can occur:

  • Adhesion failure: This occurs when the epoxy coating fails to properly adhere to the surface of the pipe, which can be caused by factors such as improper surface preparation or a poorly formulated coating. Adhesion failure can result in the coating peeling or flaking off, exposing the underlying steel surface to corrosion.
  • Blistering: This occurs when small bubbles or blisters form on the surface of the epoxy coating, which can be caused by improper surface preparation, moisture contamination, or excessive heat during curing.
  • Cracking: This occurs when the epoxy coating develops small cracks, which can be caused by factors such as thermal expansion and contraction, improper coating thickness, or exposure to chemicals.
  • Delamination: This occurs due to intercoat or interfacial adhesion failure due to the presence of a weak boundary layer such as silicone or hydrocarbon oil contamination.

Coatings Brochure

Failure Analysis and Investigation of Protective Coatings in Mining, Marine Offshore Oil & Gas Chemical Plants, Energy Infrastructure and Bridges (Ask the Experts)
Coatings Brochure

Critical Questions for Protective Coatings for Asset Protection in Oil & Gas, LNG:

  • Why is the coating not stopping corrosion?
  • Why is the coating delaminating or blistering?
  • Has the coating been correctly specified / applied?
  • Does the coating meet the manufacturing standard, including properties such as correct hardness/cure, adhesion and thickness?
  • What surface preparation and atmospheric conditions must be achieved to successfully apply the coating?
  • Does the coating have any defects in it? How will these affect performance?
  • Why did the coating fail? Root cause assessment.
  • How can the coating be successfully repaired/remediated so that it doesn’t fail again?

ExcelPlas Labs can answer these questions and more…
Coatings Brochure

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This newsletter is brought to you by ExcelPlas Coating Labs (http://www.excelplas.com/)

ExcelPlas Labs provides independent testing, analysis, and investigation on protective coatings to prevent corrosion.

ExcelPlas has extensive analytical capabilities for testing of Protective Coatings and Insulation Consulting for major oil and gas companies.

We conduct corrosion surveys, coating sampling, coating analysis, and testing to ensure coating specifications for a wide range of onshore and offshore clients in Australia and the Asia-Pacific Region.

ExcelPlas Labs offer a full range of coating testing and analytical services to Australia’s mining, oil, gas, and infrastructure sectors.

Forensic analysis for undertaking various coating-based failure investigations and problem-solving.

ExcelPlas Undertakes Analysis & Testing of Polymer Coating Systems including:

  • Epoxy Protective Coatings
  • Epoxy-Phenolic Protective Coatings
  • Fusion bonded epoxy (FBE) 
  • Dual-Layer Fusion bonded epoxy (DLFBE)
  • Liquid applied epoxy (LAE)
  • Abrasion-resistant overcoat (ARO)
  • Three-layer PE (3LPE)
  • Multi-component liquid spray  (MCL)
  • Heat shrink sleeves (HSS)

Testing on Coatings that ExcelPlas can Undertake includes:

  • Coating identification by Infra-red Analysis (FTIR)
  • Degree of Cure by Thermal Analysis (DSC)
  • Coating Filler Identification by X-ray Analysis (EDS/XRD)
  • Coating Microstructure by Embedding, Polishing, and Optical Microscopy (OM)
  • Coating Thermal Stability and Composition by Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA)

DSC – Phase transition/volatiles / Tg / degree of cure/characterisation
TGA – Volatile compounds, inorganic mass % mix ratio
Element mapping for chlorides on paint flakes
Microscopy -Count layers and thickness of layers

  • Assess porosity and voids
  • Check distribution and orientation of filler particles

Condition monitoring and analysis of corrosion prevention coatings (epoxies, epoxy-phenolics)
http://www.excelplas.com/

Testing of Epoxy Coatings (LAE, FJC, FBE), heat shrink sleeves and tapes, barrier tapes, and meshes.
http://www.excelplas.com/

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