Coatings manufacturer Hempel has officially opened its new €6 million Center of Excellence dedicated to passive fire protection (PFP) coatings.
The new center in Barcelona features 3,000 square meters of laboratory, testing areas and offices focus mainly focused on the research and development of PFP coating products.
“We are determined to develop the coatings industry within the PFP field on a global scale,” said Group Vice President and COO Lars Petersson. “PFP coatings are an important part of our growth strategy. But it is equally important to us to help protect the inside of our customers’ assets and provide safety to the people working or staying there. And applying the right coating is crucial here.”
Hempel said it has grown within the field of PFP coatings over the past seven years.
R&D Director in Barcelona Santiago Arias said, “The organization at the new Center of Excellence will continue the work in developing PFP products and testing solutions. Hempel already offers a range of PFP products, but the team is dedicated to moving forward and I can promise that our product portfolio will soon be expanded with solutions that our customers can trust to protect their buildings and industrial installations.”
From December 1, 29 employees including technicians, applicators, fire testers and scientists will work at the new center.