Gulf Construction Online - Innovative JPC has pulse on the market

Glass & Aluminium

The Burj Al Arab .. breakthrough in coatings technology.

Innovative JPC has pulse on the market

01 October 2004

Innovation is a continuous process at Jotun Powder Coatings (JPC) which, over the years, has shown a foresight in formulating systems that would suit the needs of the time.

It was back in the late eighties that Jotun’s owners set up a coating facility in Dubai, which has continuously risen to the occasion by producing innovative coating systems. Today, the research and development wing of this leading powder coating manufacturer is planning for a tall order – the Burj Dubai which will be the tallest building in the world, when completed.
Tracing back the history of powder coatings in the Gulf, Claudio Iurilli, JPC’s regional marketing manager - Middle East, says: “Not all that long ago, when the World Trade Centre was the only landmark on Sheikh Zayed Road, architectural powder coating in the Gulf was a simple affair. Customers would come along asking for an RAL colour for painting aluminium doors or windows and this would be supplied, with minimum fuss, in a standard gloss finish.
“But in the present age, it is not inconceivable for an architect to demand powder coated curtain walling in a super durable grade, ‘Sahara’ finish, extra matt, with metallic lustre in a colour custom made to suit the building’s overall colour scheme.”

The early years
It was in the late 80s, that Dubai’s first architectural dreams were turning into reality with the rising of the City Towers 1 and 2 and Al Moosa Towers, among others.
He continues: “In the same time span, a parallel dream was taking shape in the minds of Jotun’s owners, legendary for their prescience – a coatings facility in Dubai, that would function in synchrony with the world-class building industry that was fast emerging in the region. Powder coating technology itself was somewhat new to the region, and metal works on most buildings were anodised in standard silver or bronze – providing durable but drab finishes.
“Powder coatings came as breath of fresh air into the building industry, allowing architects to dream of colours and flair for their buildings without compromising on the high performance requirements of the region’s climatic conditions.
“Thus Jotun’s PE-F (polyester – for facades) range of powder coatings became a byword in this industry, protecting and decorating metal work for hundreds of modern buildings in the region.

Circa 1996
“By the mid-nineties, minimalism was ‘in’, bringing with it simple lines and modernistic claddings. Landmark buildings of the time such as Dubai’s airport and Kendah House on Sheikh Zayed Road were being built. JPC’s R&D responded with the Corro-Coat PE-F Matt range – a silky smooth appearance, reduced reflectance, minimal ‘orange peel’ and a finish that complemented the look and feel of understated elegance.

Quantum leap
“With the Burj Al Arab, the time had come for a spectacular breakthrough in powder coatings technology. As the designs for this architectural wonder, shaped like a majestic sail, were being finalised, JPC’s chemists were quietly working on a product that would stand the test of time on this glorious structure. Thus was born the Corro-Coat PE-SDF product range (polyester – for super durable facades), a powder coating for exterior architectural aluminium that guaranteed 25 years of usage in the harsh climes of the Middle East. Indeed, a quantum leap for coating technology in the region.
“Over the years, the Corro-Coat PE-SDF, the Super Durable, has grown to become the architects’ choice in the region and is routinely specified and applied on architectural metal works for many distinguished buildings that include: Emaar’s Greens, Madinat Jumeirah, Burj Dubai Residences, Jumeirah Beach Residences in the UAE and the Four Seasons and Al Hamad Medical City (in Doha, Qatar) to name a few.

Metallica
“The late nineties and the early part of this century have been marked by a preference for metallic finishes that would offer a trendy and contemporary look. Predicting this trend well in advance, JPC launched a range of its Metallic and Pearlescent finishes as a standard part of its architectural product offer. The row of gleaming glass and chrome buildings along the Dubai creek and on Shaikh Zayed Road (including the recently-opened 21st Century Tower) bear testimony to this.”

The ‘Sahara’ finish
For the Mercato Mall, a landmark development in Jumeirah, JPC helped create a 17th century Italian market ambience through its new Sahara finish.
“Metal work on this building demanded a suitably antique appearance and JPC rose to the occasion with its ‘Sahara’, a soft grit kind of finish, close to dead matt gloss level. The Sahara product group has since been extended to include a range of ‘Classic’ and ‘Metallic’ finishes that have proved very popular, especially for decorative cast aluminium,” says Iurilli.

Wood or aluminium?
Realising the demand for good old wood combined with the durability and easy maintenance of aluminium for modern kitchens, JPC has also come up with its aluminium powder coated applications to obtain a wood finish.
“Jotun has kept pace with different application technologies in this area such as Decoral and Natural, to develop products that are suitable for obtaining wood finish on aluminium and will continue to roll out innovative surface finishes, he says.

What next?
With the pouring of the concrete foundations for the Burj Dubai already completed, JPC is keenly anticipating the building’s powder coating needs, with a palette of colours in one hand and a basket of finishes in the other.