Based on its recent analysis of the protective coatings for wind turbines market, Frost & Sullivan recognizes Hempel with the 2011 Europe Frost & Sullivan Award for Product Line Strategy. Hempel has penetrated new markets and regions and differentiated itself from the competition in terms of product performance and business strategy.
Hempel has had a long innings in the coatings market for both onshore and offshore wind turbines. It developed a waterborne system for towers to address escalating environmental concerns and customer demands. Its product portfolio for wind turbine coating consists of products based on epoxy, polyurethane, zinc silicate, polyaspartic and a range of waterborne anti-corrosive products.
Most wind turbines OEMs seek cost-efficient coating systems, like the ones offered by Hempel. The company has a robust R&D platform to ensure that the most appropriate chemistry is used for an application. The company’s portfolio also includes high-end epoxies with functionalities such as fast curing as well as abrasion resistance for offshore wind turbine foundations, among others.
Besides adhering to industry standards, the company’s protective coatings ensure durability, ultra-violet (UV) stability and reduced volatile organic compounds (VOC). Hempel’s protective coatings offer cost benefits as well as surface design advantages, thereby delivering unmatched performance when compared to competing products.
“Hempel has gained a competitive advantage in the field of protective coatings with products that increase customer value through product functionality and features, and superior customer service,” said Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst Gaurav Vyas. “Hempel has extensive expertise on paints as well as on the substrate that complements the chemistry used.”
With the introduction of systems such as the UHSS (ultra high solid & speed), the company diversified its presence in niche markets and simultaneously, cemented its position in the core sectors. Hempel’s internal production standard ensures that the same formulation and raw material specifications are used worldwide to maintain the standard of quality.
Hempel’s strong foothold in the wind turbine protective coatings market can be attributed to its customer-centric strategy. The company goes a step further than its competitors in providing technical service and advising its clients on the way the coating process should be designed.
“Hempel provides specialised corrosion protective coatings for the tower and nacelle of wind turbines, and the company is also focusing on coatings for the wind turbine blades, providing protection against rain and sand erosion,” noted Vyas . “In addition to this, Hempel also offers specialised coatings for offshore wind turbines.”
Hempel’s skill in customization and offering onsite technical support has helped it increase its market share. It has introduced fast curing products to speed up the coating process, allowing clients to move from a three-coat system to a two-coat system and is even working on a one-coat system.
Apart from being a market leader in the wind turbines coating sector, Hempel also has considerable traction in the marine, oil and gas, decorative and yacht market.
Each year, Frost & Sullivan presents this award to the company that demonstrates the most insight into the needs and product demands of its customers. The recipient company has optimized its product line by leveraging products with the various price, performance, and feature points required by one or more market segments.
Frost & Sullivan Best Practices awards recognize companies in a variety of regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analysis and extensive secondary research to identify best practices in the industry.
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Source: marketwire, February 13, 2012; Image: hempel