PAINT solutions from Hempel were recently chosen to provide renewed protection for the Kuwait Towers (Abraj Al Kuwait), one of the most distinctive landmarks of Kuwait as well as the entire Gulf region.

The project is one of several iconic structures and important infrastructure developments in the region that the leading paint manufacturer is helping protect with its durable and reliable products.
Given the importance of protecting and preserving Kuwait’s symbolic monument, Kuwait Touristic Enterprises planned to execute a full maintenance for the three towers that comprise the landmark. Hempel proposed its complete paint system to achieve a twofold objective – the first to protect the concrete structure of the towers from aggressive exposure and the second to guarantee the full adherence of the paint system with the existing substrate that has been subjected to decades of exposure to all types of contaminants.
“Hempel succeeded in meeting the client’s requirements by offering a full paint system with its Hempatex solution, which can withstand the aggressive climatic conditions, protect the concrete structure, adhere to the substrate and maintain the hygienic look and minimise contamination pick-up,” says Jad Abu Fadel, the sales executive who was following up on the project, right from its specification stage to the completion of the job.

Along with Hempatex as the topcoat, Hempel used a primer to overcome the challenge of adhesion on an old substrate. “The solution was to use Hempel’s Topaz SB primer, which has very good penetration properties in addition to the high adhesion to the substrate provided by its acrylic binder,” says Abu Fadel. “We also used Topaz filler (for exteriors) to fill any substrate defects.”
Hempatex was chosen as the ultimate solution for many reasons, according to Abu Fadel: it has very high adhesion to the substrate due to its acrylic generic type, it provides maximum protection to the structure from climatic conditions and pollutants and its semi-gloss and smooth finish ensures minimum dirt pick-up.
“Hempel worked closely with Arabi Contracting, providing the contractor with all the necessary technical back-up to enable it to provide the client with a 10-year warranty with full confidence for the entire paint system,” he says.
“Hempatex is the best of its generic type in the market, and we capitalised on its long track record, which exceeds 40 successful years in the region,” Abu Fadel adds.

Hawally water tanks
Another success story in Kuwait involved the protection of two concrete water tanks in Hawally for the Ministry of Electricity and Water, which was keen to find an effective solution to protect this important infrastructure that serves a large segment of the country’s population.
The project comprises two concrete tanks involving an exterior surface area of 27,000 sq m that needed to be protected against severe exposure to harsh climatic conditions, according to Ahmed Ismail, Hempel’s projects sales executive who was involved on the project.

“The client, which was seeking a long-term and a reliable solution, opted for Hempel’s Contex system in preference to an approved local supplier for this project. In addition, the main contractor Middle East Development was fully confident about using this system which helped it in getting the paint approved by the client,” he says.
Middle East Development’s general manager Tariq Abdul Wahab comments: “It is a value-added solution for all project parties. The Contex system, together with the remarkable technical service provided by Hempel, greatly supported us in accomplishing the project.”
The paint system used in this project was the best of its kind, says Ismail. It comprised Hempel’s Topaz SB primer to achieve full adhesion and penetration into concrete substrate and to resist the alkalinity of the concrete and any potential efflorescence that may take place. This was followed by two coats of Hempel’s Contex Smooth to ensure the ultimate anti-carbonation and gas diffusions into the concrete, he adds.

Jeddah culvert
Meanwhile, with its strong global and regional presence, Hempel has provided durable protection to several other projects across the region. In Saudi Arabia, for example, Hempel was involved in protecting a new culvert of the main flood drainage network in Jeddah.
According to Hempel’s area sales manager-Western Province Ahmed Abu Alfa, Jeddah Municipality took the initiative to cover the open channel by using a three-vent concrete culvert. This measure not only eliminated a health hazard but also made it possible to utilise a prime area in the heart of Jeddah city for public parks, he says.
“This project was a critical one,” he comments. “It is well known that water structures need close attention in all aspects, starting from the design to the specification and down to the choice of material.
“We succeeded in providing this project with the ultimate protection against potential severe exposure. Hempel’s coal tar epoxy mastic system has been used to protect the inner surfaces of the vents of the culvert,” he explains.
“This system will help waterproof the concrete structure as it has a coal tar binder in its composition. It also helps maintain high adhesion to the substrate and resistance to various types of exposure, in addition to the high surface tolerance achieved with the smaller-size molecules in the epoxy mastic binder that exists in the same product.”
According to Abu Alfa, Hempel provided the client, Jeddah Municipality, the project consultant Fluor Arabia and the main contractor STFA/Alwan JV, with not just a high-performing paint system, but also supported them with continuous technical service and advice throughout the fast-track project period.