Jotun launches new mesh-free Passive Fire Protection product at ADIPEC 2013

10 November 2013 - Jotun Paints, one of the world's leading producers and distributors of paints and protective coatings, announced the launch of its latest mesh-free Passive Fire Protection (PFP) product, ‘Jotachar JF750', at this year's edition of the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC), the Middle East region's largest Gas & Oil event, which will be held from November 10 to November 13, 2013 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC). During the event, Jotun is expected to throw the spotlight on the key features and the benefits to be gained from using Jotachar JF750 like a reduction in both installation time and material costs when installed across offshore and onshore facilities as compared to utilizing epoxy PFP systems that require additional mesh enforcement. Aside from Jotachar JF750, Jotun will also be featuring its diverse portfolio of coating products that have been designed specifically for the Oil & Gas industry.

The new product has been developed to address the demands and requirements of local offshore operators, seeking stronger protection from jet fires for their offshore assets and ensuring compliance with stringent international offshore safety standards. Another requirement currently presented by onshore refinery owners is the production of jet fire capable PFP materials that conform with ISO 22899, which is the standard that helps determine the resistance of PFP materials to jet fires. Jotun senior executives have shared that Jotachar JF750 went through an extensive development and testing process, making it independently fire tested and in compliance with across all key industry standards for up to three hours fire protection.

“Jotachar JF750 is the only mesh-free epoxy intumescent coating solution available in the market where jet fire protection is required for safety critical steel structures, divisions and vessels,” said Andy Czainski, Global PFP Sales Director – Performance Coatings, Jotun. "Major yards and professional PFP applicators have immediately seen the benefits of this breakthrough technology, saying that Jotachar JF750 will be a game changer for them and the industry as a whole. Jotachar JF750 mesh free incorporates an advanced fibre matrix system in the material. This technology, combined with a robust and temperature stable insulating char, eliminates the need for additional mesh reinforcement, reducing complexity and making it significantly faster to apply, saving on both time and cost.”

Recent testing has shown that Jotachar JF750 demonstrates exceptional jet fire performance in the ISO 22899 test-- proving steel protection against jet fire for up to two hours without the need for any additional mesh reinforcement, an industry first. Jotachar JF750 has also passed critical 4-bar blast overpressure tests without the need for additional reinforcing mesh. This proves Jotachar JF750 withstands severe explosion and blast forces with no detachment. Key fire and blast resistance testing was witnessed by representatives of Lloyds Register of London.

Jotachar JF750 is also fully compliant with NORSOK M-501 Revision 6, a global standard determining requirements for the selection of coating materials, surface preparation, application procedures and inspection for protective coatings to be applied during the construction and installation of offshore installations and associated facilities. The NORSOK standard is considered by industry professionals as the most rigorous durability and corrosion standard.

"Anyone working with mesh requiring systems knows that installation is a time and labour intensive process. Mesh installation involves stringent certification rules such as overlap measurement and installed depth within the system. With Jotachar JF750, maintenance and repair becomes much simpler and would require significantly less time and cost," concluded John Warner, Global Category Manager Intumescent Coatings - Middle East, India & Africa (MEIA), Jotun.