STAYING clear of the ‘volume’ race, Sigma Paints Middle East has since its inception focused on quality and innovation, which has seen the introduction of some of the most pioneering paint solutions to the region.

The leading Dammam-based paint company continues to showcase its innovative spirit with its latest project that involves applying an all-new coating system for the maintenance of buried pipelines without requiring excavation.

“At Sigma Paints, we are not interested in figures and volumes, because high-volume production is often associated with low quality, but we aim for innovative products and new ideas. We feel like a market leader when competitors look up at our newest developments and wish they got there first,” remarks Mark Van Diemen, managing director Middle East at Sigma Paints Middle East.

He continues: “When people ask me if I want Sigma Paints to be a market leader in its field, I always reply that I want our organisation to be recognised as a market leader for innovative concepts.”

Van Diemen says the company’s constant search for ground-breaking quality products is what sets it apart from the rest.

In the past few years, Sigma has launched some revolutionary concepts and novelties within the Middle Eastern market. The introduction of NPS (nanometric painting system) technology in 2006 confirmed once again that Sigma Paints was a world pioneer in its sector, he adds.

“The word nanotechnology is usually associated with the development of high-performance electronic devices, such as computers or mobile phones. However, we are very proud that we have managed to use this kind of technology within the paint industry.

Van Diemen ... focus on quality.

“The unique quality of Sigma Guardian Nano Paint is its dust- and sand-repellent characteristics. This is a distinctive feature that is vital in the extreme weather conditions prevalent in the Middle East. The power of nanotechnology provides a universal exterior protection and surface radiance for all homes, properties and buildings in the GCC,” says Van Diemen.

Other innovative products launched recently by the company include an anti-bacterial exterior paint as well as some high-end finishes.

In line with the new green building regulations being implemented across the Gulf countries that encourage owners and developers to adopt eco-friendly painting and coating solutions, Sigma launched its “unprecedented zero VOC (volatile organic compounds)” paint system in 2010.

“VOCs are chemicals that readily vaporise at room temperature. Their molecular structures include a very wide range of individual substances, such as hydrocarbons, halocarbons and oxygenates, which are very harmful to the environment and human health. Our new Sigmacryl Ecoplus zero VOC range consists of water-based products that do not contain any substances that are harmful to human beings,” explains Van Diemen.

Sigma Paints Middle East has also launched Sigmacare, an innovative solution for the region’s healthcare industry, which is not only environment-friendly but also addresses the risk of contamination in such sensitive areas.

Sigmacare includes a range of specifically selected, high-performing, environment-friendly paints for the individual areas within healthcare facilities that is combined with a colour solution that promotes the well-being of patients, visitors and staff in the healthcare industry.

The concept comprises a wide range of environment-friendly, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial paint systems including Sigmacryl Premium ABF, a waterborne finish based on silver ion technology; Sigmacryl Flat and Silk AF, a waterborne finish paint with a low VOC composition, which is resistant to mould and algae; and Sigmacryl Ecoplus Matt and Satin, which enjoys excellent opacity, is odourless and has high scrub resistance, he states.

In addition to the functional aspects of maintaining and promoting health and hygiene, Sigmacare is integrated with the Colour and Lifestyle concept where particular attention is given to the beneficial psychological and positive influences of colour.

These products confirm yet again Sigma Paints’ commitment to environmental protection and its constant search for sustainable and green products, Van Diemen adds.

Driven by its strong consumer focus and innovative spirit, Sigma Paints has introduced many other innovative concepts to the region’s paint industry. Last year the company took a major step in upgrading its product distribution channels in Saudi Arabia with the official launch of the Sigma Service Centre, an innovative new retail ‘one-stop-shop’ concept for contractors and painters. The service centre stocks a wide assortment of the company’s latest paint and tool innovations, as well as top-quality products from renowned international tool and equipment brands. In one small but well laid-out area, the professional visitor is able to view the latest market innovations.

And it is these efforts in developing innovative and high-quality products that have allowed Sigma Paints Saudi Arabia to become a trustworthy supplier for some of the Middle East’s most important projects.

The Middle East is the main market for Sigma Paints Middle East. “We supply to all the GCC countries and also cover part of North Africa. We can provide the best solutions in paints and coatings according to the customer’s needs. However, most of our turnover is produced by the decorative paints unit,” says Van Diemen.

Especially developed to suit both the local environment and local tastes, the company’s range of decorative paints, available in an extensive variety of colours, is wide enough to cover almost all uses, from wood to aluminium, from steel to concrete.

The company was recently involved in painting the Development of King Abdul Aziz Endowment (Dokaae) project and worked on a major project in Qatar, where nanotechnology-based paints were applied. It is currently engaged on an ongoing project, worth SR17 million ($4.53 million), in Abu Dhabi, UAE, and is involved with the maintenance of buried pipelines by applying an all-new coating system that does not require excavation.

The Sigma Service Centre ... a retail ‘one stop-shop’ concept.

“To be involved in such prestigious projects is further recognition of our expertise in the paints and coatings industry. We will continue to work hard in order to maintain our heritage of commitment to quality and endless innovation,” says Van Diemen. “After many years of hard work, Sigma Paints Middle East has become a reference point for the paints and coating sector in the Middle East. Through its continuous investments targeted on expansion and innovation, it seems like this business can only move forward towards an even brighter future.”

Sigma Paints came into being in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, in 1981 when four Saudi businessmen joined hands with SigmaKalon. After many mergers and acquisitions, the company has grown over the years to become a leading force in the decorative, marine, protective and packaging market segments in the Middle East.

The Holland-based SigmaKalon Group is the second largest coatings manufacturer in Europe, which was acquired by American giant PPG Industries in January 2008, in what has been described as a momentous development in the paints and coatings market. The completion of this acquisition marked the beginning of a new and exciting era for both companies in building and enhancing their business and leadership across the globe.

“The acquisition has been beneficial for both companies. SigmaKalon and PPG complement each other’s strengths across technology and geography, markets and manufacturing. Before the acquisition, SigmaKalon was already a multimillion-dollar company with a lot of knowledge in its own field. However, being acquired by PPG has further strengthened our position in the Middle East region, by enhancing our existing technological abilities and enabling us to provide the highest quality of products and standards of service,” states Van Diemen.

By combining their efforts, the two groups have become forces to be reckoned with, changing the paints and coatings market landscape and forcing other giants of the industry to make some immediate adjustments in order to remain competitive.