UV coatings are hot. This was evident at the FabTech fair where it was the buzzword of the day. For Selmers, this was a pivotal moment. Upon return, they were convinced and declared ‘We’re going to do it!’. UV coatings represent a new market for Selmers, but also a new market segment. And that’s precisely what made it so interesting.

The market is increasingly shifting towards sustainable applications, exerting pressure on traditional pipelines. However, they will not disappear from the landscape for the time being. This isn’t due to the absence of alternatives, but rather because the infrastructure and facilities are not yet ready. Oil and gas will therefore remain necessary for the foreseeable future. Moreover, these same pipelines can be repurposed for transporting sustainable substances like hydrogen, indicating limited growth potential in that regard.

Market demands for sustainability

To remain agile, Selmers had to not only grow alongside market demand but also emerge as a leader in its field. The company operates on the principle that environmentally friendly applications start at the source. By enhancing the environmental friendliness of their products, Selmers also aids their customers in meeting international sustainability standards such as CSRD.

Tapping into a new market segment

The new market segment Selmers is venturing into with UV coatings is that of tubes, which broadens the scope from their traditional focus on pipe coating. Tubes are increasingly used in constructions, including chair frames, steel frames, fences, and other hollow steel structures. Even tools like drills can benefit from this application.

Different application

A pipe has a super-strong coating against corrosion, which is necessary to meet safety standards. UV protection, on the other hand, provides temporary protection that makes a product presentable. So, it’s a completely different application. Of course, UV-coated products also protect against dents, scratches, and initial corrosion, but not to the same extreme extent as pipe coatings.

What is it and how does it work?

Depending on the technical requirements and application, UV coatings can serve as a substitute for water-based coatings, albeit slightly less robust. The UV coating process differs from water-based coating processes used for pipes. Water-based coatings must first evaporate their water content before the hard particles remain. The UV coating machine contains a microwave lamp, and the coating itself includes a ‘photo-initiator’, which accelerates the drying process significantly.

What is the benefit?

The drying process of UV coating is much faster. The coating is immediately dry, allowing the tube to be moved for further treatment. Moreover, a UV coating installation is about ten times smaller because a separate drying section is redundant. The tube is fed through a cabinet and is immediately ready. Less energy consumption due to heating, less factory space required, and faster installation.

You can’t compare apples with oranges… But if you could choose between water-based coating or UV coating in terms of application, UV wins in terms of environmental friendliness, but more due to the process than the coating itself. Both coatings contain no volatile substances, being environmentally friendly.