ZPMC shifts to Avantguard

ZPMC is the world’s largest manufacturer of cargo handling equipment, including port terminal cranes. These cranes are used for loading and unloading containers, and they need a heavy-duty anti-corrosive coating system to protect them from the harsh dockside saltwater atmosphere. When ZPMC was asked to produce four super-post-panamax container cranes for delivery in Europe, it decided to switch to Hempadur Avantguard 750.

ZPMC had been using one of our zinc-rich epoxy primers to protect its cranes, and was pleased with the coating’s performance. But only around one-third of the zinc in a traditional zinc epoxy has an anti-corrosive effect. Avantguard technology activates all of the zinc in the coating, which significantly improves the coating’s anti-corrosive performance and mechanical strength, while ensuring it remains easy to apply.

By switching to Avantguard, ZPMC expects to benefit from simplified application procedures, longer asset life-cycles and reduced maintenance.

We recommended a system based on Hempadur Avantguard 750, an advanced zinc epoxy that uses Avantguard technology to improve anti-corrosive performance. Our Technical Service team in China worked closely with ZPMC when the super-post-panamax container cranes were coated at the start of 2015. ZPMC’s applicators were particularly pleased with the coating’s ability to tolerate high dry film thicknesses without cracking or blistering, which ensures they remain easy to apply even if application conditions are not ideal.

The cranes were transported to their final destination in Malta in the middle of 2015. We inspected the cranes upon arrival and found the coating system in perfect condition. As part of our agreement with ZPMC, we will continue to monitor the performance of the system over the coming years. ZPMC is convinced that its customerswill benefit from the long-lasting and more robust protection offered by Hempadur Avantguard coatings.