While cherishing a mutually beneficial partnership with Alico that has strengthened over the years, the pre-treatment chemicals division of Germany-based Henkel lauds the role Alico has played in transforming the skylines of Dubai and the other emirates of the UAE.

“Alico has been at the forefront in bringing innovative technological changes in aluminium works in the region, and as providers of high-quality chemical pretreatment systems, we have shared a successful partnership with them,” says Paul Scott, business manager for Henkel, Middle East.
“Our association with Alico goes back to the early 80s and it is gratifying that during this long association, Alico has never encountered any paint failures on its architectural aluminum works,” says Scott.
“It is not what paint system you put on the metal, but how well the metal has been chemically pre-treated, which will determine how long the paint will protect the metal substrate,” he says. “This subject is now receiving global importance as billions of dollars are annually spent to combat paint failures caused by harsh atmospheric and environmental effects. This problem cannot altogether be eliminated, but surely we can minimize it.”
Manoj Kumar, industry manager for Henkel, Middle East, explains the importance of pre-treatment in simplistic terms: “Pre-treatment is as important to paint as is foundation to a building. Every metal substrate that needs to be coated needs sound and proper surface preparation.
“As the world’s undisputed market leader in metal pre-treatment business, we have significant experience and resources to ensure that this is facilitated. We supply most of the automotive manufacturers in the world with the pre-treatment needed to give the extended paint warrantees we all enjoy today,” he adds.
From phosphating chemicals for steel or galvanised steel products to chrome conversion coating and chrome-free products for treating of aluminium and its alloys, chemical giant Henkel is at the forefront in protecting valuable assets all over the world, Kumar points out.
“Although the cost associated with a good pre-treatment is insignificant compared to the cost of paint, there is a tendency to use cheap alternatives with disastrous consequences,” he adds.
Henkel is at the forefront of developing innovative and environmentally-safe systems such as chrome-free pre-treatment systems that today are applied all over the world to aluminium beverage cans, automotive car bodies, coils and architectural aluminium. Last year, Henkel - in partnership with Gulf Extrusions - a market leader in the aluminium extrusion industry in the Middle East, introduced its state-of-the-art Spectrocolor 2000 colouring process for anodised aluminium.
“Until now it was impossible to produce anodised architectural aluminium in colours other than silver or shades of bronze and black.
“Using the leading edge technology of Spectrocolor 2000, Gulf Extrusions can now produce anodised aluminium in the full spectrum of colours with different shades of blue, green and red  along with the classical bronze, black and silver.
The advantage is that the anodic coatings, which form an integral part of the aluminium surface, are extremely resistant to UV (ultraviolet) radiation and have superior corrosion, weather and abration resistance. The alluring metallic lustre of aluminium which is enhanced by anodizing is retained in the colouring process”. Kumar says.
To attain cost leadership, Henkel, with its partner Ashwa, has set up its own manufacturing plant in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, to cater to the fast-growing Middle East market.