Helmsman chooses Kemira HS stoving enamels for quality with EPA compliance

Citation

(1998), "Helmsman chooses Kemira HS stoving enamels for quality with EPA compliance", Pigment & Resin Technology, Vol. 27 No. 6. https://doi.org/10.1108/prt.1998.12927faf.004

Helmsman chooses Kemira HS stoving enamels for quality with EPA compliance

Helmsman chooses Kemira HS stoving enamels for quality with EPA compliance

Keywords Enamels, Helmsman, Kemira

International manufacturer and supplier of steel lockers and ancillary changing room equipment, Helmsman is reaching the final stages of a development programme which introduces compliant solvent-based stoving enamels from Kemira Coatings into its finishing process.

Established over 150 years ago, and today a £7million turnover company, Helmsman started in 1996 to review its process in the light of EPA requirements. Initially, the company looked at water-borne technology, at the time in the earliest stages of development, but ultimately chose the high-solids solvent based route.

"Kemira's product development programme on high-solids finishes centred around our needs, and the needs of other producers who were seeking an environmentally acceptable solution for the future", comments engineering manager Andy Gregory.

Tematherm high-solids stoving enamels are among the fruits of substantial investment in new formulations. Intensive research, development and cooperation with raw material suppliers enables Kemira to market a comprehensive range of compliant finishes on schedule for the enforcement of the Environmental Protection Act through Guidance Note PG6/23 on 1 April 1998.

Tematherm HS meets the current 350gm per litre limit for VOCs and, being alkyd amino based, it reportedly retains the moderate odour and tolerant working parameters of conventional stoving enamels.

"We've undertaken several months of testing to verify colour match and the performance in production of the new products", Andy Gregory continues. "Using the same surface preparation process, we are now achieving with Tematherm HS a finish comparable with the quality we obtained with conventional stoving enamels. One of the major advantages of Tematherm HS is that for 95 per cent of our production we shall be obtaining the finish we require with a single 15 to 20 micron coat".

Production in most of Helmsman's standard range of colours has already moved over to the new paints, and the last remaining colours are currently under test. Clearly proud of his company's environmental performance, Andy Gregory acknowledges Kemira's contribution to the success of Helmsman's development programme: "We have received very good support from Kemira and have built up an excellent relationship with its engineers in the course of this project".

"Our regular progress review confirms that in terms of the consistency of its product and assistance with process troubleshooting, Kemira has fully justified our confidence."

Kemira can supply itsTematherm HS range in all BS 4800 and most RAL and NCS colours, and will also readily customise the product to users' specific requirements.

To meet the bulk needs of high-volume customers such as Helmsman, Kemira operates a dedicated stocking system to ensure a rapid response to production requirements. Lower volume users can obtain Kemira's products from countrywide specialist Goldspeed Network distributors, offering a high level of application support and rapid colour matching facilities.

Further information is available from Kemira Coatings Limited. Tel: +44 (0) 121 5255665; Fax: +44 (0) 121 5532787; Internet: www.kemira-coatings.co.uk