Protecting petroleum products with a specialized PU coated packaging solution.

Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL)

HPCL is a state-owned oil and natural gas company headquartered in Mumbai. The company is both a Bharat Navratna and a Fortune 500 enterprise. In 2017, HPCL sold 35.2 million metric tonnes (MMT) of petroleum products with a market share of about 21%.

The Client

The Challenge

Petroleum barrels are exposed to the effects of corrosion from prolonged contact with petroleum products. The contents of these barrels need to be protected from harmful elements in the air. Traditionally, petroleum barrels in India have been insulated with stoving enamel which does not provide adequate protection and corrosion resistance. HPCL was looking for a durable solution to protect from atmospheric chemical attacks as well as the petroleum products in the barrel.

The Sicagen Solution

Sicagen partnered with HPCL to develop India’s first industrial polyurethane (PU) paint solution for petroleum barrels. PU paint offers a higher degree of corrosion resistance, better long-term durability, and improved glossiness. However, regular PU paint can choke the painting pipeline. Our team of experts solved this problem by rinsing the pipeline with a thinner before and after each application. Incremental improvements to industrial products are a result of the efforts of our research and development team. The PU paint formulation was perfected after three trials and deployed across HPCL’s products.

Results

HPCL’s Chennai terminal was the first in India to deploy PU painted petroleum barrels. These barrels are more resistant to environmental elements and better protect the internal contents. The risk of corrosion or contamination is reduced while the barrels look more aesthetically pleasing. Bringing PU paint to the Indian market was a breakthrough for engineering and chemical science teams who have spent years creating an emulsion that solves industrial-scale problems.

Key Takeaways

  • Petroleum barrels are exposed to environmental pollutants and corrosion.
  • Stoving enamel doesn’t adequately protect these products.
  • Sicagen partnered with HPCL to provide an industrial-grade polyurethane (PU) paint solution to offer better durability, corrosion-resistance, and glossiness for petroleum barrels.

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