Plascoat Systems of the UK says its PPA 571 coating has been used to protect over 300 km of fencing poles that stretch across the desert in Dubai, UAE.

The coating has been used on two lengths of 2-m-high fencing stretching 160 km across the desert, which were erected to provide protection for buried gas pipes against damage from vehicles and other passing traffic.
Plascoat's PPA 571 has been widely used in the Middle East, due to its ability to withstand the harsh environment in the region.
''Coatings have to withstand, extreme fluctuations between heat and cold as well as weather, the high humidity and desert sandstorms,'' says Patrick Benson, technical and marketing director of Plascoat Systems. ''Experience has shown that polyester, galvanised and PVC coatings do not survive for long in these conditions and require frequent replacement.''
''One of the earliest fences to be coated with PPA571 was constructed nine years ago in Dubai and till date the fence has shown no evidence of corrosion whatsoever. The PVC coating nearby has already badly deteriorated.
''In the US, one fencing manufacturer has recently converted to functionalised polyolefin coatings such as PPA571 due to the long-term performance benefits. They have found that the salt spray corrosion and the abrasion rate is half that of standard coatings and the fading rate is 1/20x.
''PPA571 now sets the industry standard for corrosion protection and as long-term field test have proven, manufacturers are increasingly choosing PPA571 to gain the edge over traditional coating methods. The durability and life span of PPA571 has been demonstrated time and time again. This combined with the fact that no surface primers are required means that PPA571 is the most cost-effective solution for this application.'
PPA571 is also one of the most environmentally-friendly coatings available on the market today boasting no TGICs (triglycidyl isocyanurates), no phthalates, no halogens, no heavy metals, no VOCs (volatile organic compounds), no isocyanates, and very low toxicity. ''With an extensive array of colours to choose from as well, it is no surprise then that PPA571 is becoming the industry standard when it comes to thermoplastic coating,'' Benson adds.