NOFIRE Coatings, which markets US-produced non-toxic, high-performance fire-retardant coatings through the Dammam-based Swanah Trading Establishment, has made inroads into the Saudi market in just two years and plans to spread its wings in the wider GCC region.

“There’s significant interest in our intumescent coatings, textile wraps and tapes,” says Rob Conzett, NoFire Coatings business development manager. “We have no doubt they will be successful if the market understands what they can do.”

NoFire was at the Gulf Industry Fair in Bahrain last month to unveil its products and promote them in the GCC market (see Events). At the exhibition, NoFire officials performed product demonstrations for representatives of companies including Arab Ship Building and Repair Yard (Asry).

A pioneer in water-based intumescent technology, the US-based NoFire Technologies (NFTI) is the exclusive manufacturer of the patented fire-retardant coatings, tapes and textile wraps. Its products have been patented in over 50 countries, enjoy high performance with ratings up to 1,371 deg C and are approved worldwide. They have UL classification (NoFire A-18).

“NFTI produces a range of four latex-based intumescent coatings. All products are extremely safe, environment-friendly and are suitable for use in interior applications where injury or the potential for loss of life is of greatest concern,” says Conzett.

“There are more people dying of smoke inhalation than the actual fire; this product is smoke-free and odourless,” he adds.

The paint that NoFire uses in Saudi Arabia is made in the US. However, Khimji Permoglaze has been granted the right to manufacture the paint in Oman for the Omani and UAE markets and its production facilities will be ready next month  (April).

“We plan to have another plant and are looking for partners in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain,” says Conzett.
NoFire products have a range of advantages. In addition to being Underwriters Laboratories (UL) classified, they are certified as ‘green’ by the Master Paint Institute; have ultra-low 40 gm per litre VOCs (volatile organic compounds); and are rated up to 1,371 deg C. Other benefits include zero smoke and flame spread, zero toxicity (ASTM E-84-87 cement board), and non-combustibility (according to ISO 1182-90). They are also approved for use by the US Military and US Coast Guard.

“NoFire products are not add-ons or afterthoughts to a larger core business. Developing high performing, non-toxic intumescent technologies with the ability to protect human life are central to NFTI’s mission,” says a company spokesman.

In addition, NoFire coatings compare favourably with other epoxy-, solvent- and water-based intumescent coatings in terms of toxicity and environmental hazards. They do not require special equipment for application, and are moderate in cost, he adds.

NoFire coatings have applications in the commercial and residential sectors for malls, banks, hospitals, schools, wooden houses and portable accommodation and in the building of fire exit stairs, gas stations, and sites for historic preservation.
In the industrial sector, they can be used to protect cable trays, vessels, substations, structural steel, warehouses, marine vessels, offshore platforms, data centres, communication rooms, critical buildings, control rooms and underground facilities.

Recent supplies have gone to Saudi Binladin Group for the Haramain High Speed Railway in Makkah and to Saudi Aramco, Weatherford International and Fosroc for their communication rooms. The company also recently won an order from Saudi Arabia’s Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC) for its paint to be used on cable trays for a total of 40,000 sq m.

The paint can also be used on any substrate. “NoFire protects both material assets and people,” Conzett concludes.