Today Pinmar, AkzoNobel and Wrede announce details of their research project trialling and developing the application methodology for the new Awlfair SF spray filler product from AkzoNobel’s Awlgrip brand.
The project is taking place in a shipyard in Bremerhaven, where International Maritime Research GmbH & Co. KG (IMR) is providing a 30m superyacht vessel for testing and research purposes. During a 12-week period the Pinmar technical development team will complete the fairing and painting of the starboard side of the hull to deliver a superyacht standard finish utilising the new sprayable filler application technology in parallel with a traditional fairing process to provide a like-for-like comparison.
Awlfair SF is an advanced new superyacht fairing product developed by AkzoNobel. The market leading superyacht coatings specialist partnered with Hogg and Graco to develop the sprayable application equipment and components. The product is applied by pressurised airless spray rather than by hand, which allows for wet-on-wet application and up to two coatings per day without the need for sanding between coats. The spray application also eliminates air pockets, resulting in reduced reworking and improved aesthetics.
Pinmar aims to optimise the application methodology for the filling and fairing of large superyachts using the Awlfair SF product and specialist equipment engineered by Hogg, in the expectation that this new system will provide a step change both in terms of the quality of the fairing and the time taken to complete the process. The Pinmar team will be working with technical experts from AkzoNobel and Hogg to trial various approaches aimed at maximising the speed and efficiency of the application process. Wrede Consulting, one of the world’s leading paint surveyors, are involved to offer expert advice and to undertake detailed measurements of the filler application and the finished paint system to provide an independent validation of the study’s results.
Commenting on the project James Millott, Pinmar’s Head of Operations, said “We’ve trialled the product in our test environment and now our master fairers and technical experts have the opportunity to evaluate its performance on an actual 30m hull. The introduction of advanced engineering to automate part of the fairing process is a transformational step and Pinmar, with its extensive experience in new builds and a reputation for being at the forefront of new technologies and standards in superyacht finishing, is proud to be taking a leading role.”
Commenting on AkzoNobel’s involvement in the project, Bilal Salahuddin (Global Business Director Yacht Coatings) said “This 30m superyacht research vessel will provide AkzoNobel a unique opportunity to demonstrate the extraordinary benefits of our newly developed Awlfair SF (from our world leading brand Awlgrip). This side-by-side application comparison on a single vessel will highlight the differences between a traditional hand applied filler technique with one that utilizes a revolutionary approach. This project will comprehensively demonstrate that this new application technique will not only improve the time taken to apply, but also provides a superior filler finish with fewer air pockets. We are thrilled at paving the way for further innovation in the superyacht industry with our revolutionary filler, Awlfair SF.”
Kay-Johannes Wrede, CEO of Wrede Consulting, Wrede Technologies and IMR, is well aware of the importance of innovations for the further development of the yacht industry: “With IMR we have created a platform that, with the AZ project, realises joint research and thus brings together expertise to drive forward important innovations in the superyacht sector. We are making our contribution by providing the hull as a floating laboratory, our surveyors from Wrede Consulting will advise on the processes and our experts from Wrede Technologies will carry out the laboratory and metrological investigations.”
About AkzoNobel
AkzoNobel has a passion for paint. We are experts in the proud craft of making paints and coatings, setting the standard in colour and protection since 1792. Our world class portfolio of brands – including Dulux, International, Sikkens and Interpon – is trusted by customers around the globe. Headquartered in the Netherlands, we are active in over 150 countries and employ around 35,000 talented people who are passionate about delivering the high performance products and services our customers expect.
www.akzonobel.com | www.awlgrip.com
About Wrede Consulting
WREDE Consulting GmbH, with headquarters in Hamburg and locations in Bremen, Barcelona, La Ciotat, Rotterdam and Palma de Mallorca, provides independent consulting for coatings from new builds to refits with specialisation in mega- and superyachts. Founded in 1999, the company owes its success to the many years of experience of its independent paint consultants and surveyors, as well as to state-of-the-art, innovative technology.
Founded in 2016, WREDE Technology (WRETEC) is the first port of call when it comes to the unequivocal clarification of coating damage on superyachts. The Hamburg-based company benefits from Wrede Consulting GmbH’s many years of experience in consulting on coating processes and combines this with state-of-the-art technical analysis methods.
The International Maritime Research GmbH & Co.KG (IMR), founded by Kay-Johannes Wrede, has developed, and operates the AZ project. A specially built 30-meter research superyacht for testing and research on innovative yacht- and shipbuilding components.
www.wrede-consulting.com | www.wretec.com