International®, AkzoNobel’s protective coatings brand, opened a new rain erosion test facility at its hub for research and development in Felling, U.K. The facility is fitted with sound insulation, a small laboratory, and a 1,000-liter water recycling tank, among other design elements.
The rain erosion test facility will simulate real-life, harsh weather conditions to test new paint and coatings products specially designed for wind-turbine blades. At full speed, the helicopter test is capable of running at 176 meters per second, or half the speed of sound. The test can run at full speed in under one minute, set from a computer, and can simulate weather conditions from different regions around the world, including water flow rates and both water and air temperatures.
AkzoNobel is the first coatings company in the country to have this equipment. The 1.4 million-pound investment means that International can accelerate product development as it has the potential capacity to triple the number of tests the company can run every week. Prior to opening this facility, International outsourced this test to other companies in the U.K. and overseas twice a month. “As one of the market leaders, AkzoNobel will now be able to more meaningfully participate in lifetime prediction discussions on protective coating systems for wind turbine blades,” said Ralph Slikkerveer, R&D director for AkzoNobel’s Marine, Protective, and Yacht divisions.
“Our customers can feel reassured that the International protective coatings tested at our new facility will help future-proof their blades, helping them withstand the most extreme weather conditions of today and tomorrow,” said Adam Stephenson, sales cluster manager for AkzoNobel’s Marine and Protective divisions. This is further proof that AkzoNobel is setting industry standards and connecting the dots for our customers in the wind energy sector.”
AkzoNobel commemorated the opening of the facility with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and guided tour attended by Gateshead Council Deputy Mayor Freda Geddes and other invited guests.
More info www.akzonobel.com
