Sigma Paints Qatar’s drive to promote eco-friendly products in Qatar is paying rich dividends and helping it strengthen its foothold in the local market, where the paint major has already gained a reputation for its quality products and services.

The company says the Qatar paint market has been very receptive to its efforts to encourage the use of environment-friendly products, with the response being positive from architects, consultants, owners and paint contractors who recognise the benefits that can be achieved with these high quality products, according to Malcolm Page, general manager of Sigma Paints Qatar.

“All of Sigma’s leading technology paints and volatile organic compounds (VOC)-complaint products are of the highest standard,” he says. “Clients are recognising the benefits of paying a small premium upfront for painting with a premium-quality Sigma product, leading to tangible savings in reducing future maintenance painting requirements.

“As an additional benefit, lower paint consumption over the years reduces the environmental impact further as raw material, packaging, energy and transport requirements are reduced in producing and selling less paint,” he adds.

One such eco-friendly product is Sigmacryl Ecoplus, which is gaining traction. The product has been specified (generically) for the prestigious Qatar National Museum project by world-renowned architect Jean Nouvel and is gaining popularity with villa owners and hotels.

“Qatar Museum Authority (QMA) has expressed interest (in the product) due to the sensitive nature of exhibits in the museums and is certain it can be beneficial in terms of maintenance,” Page adds.

Another prime example is a striking landmark hotel in Doha that has used Sigmacryl Ecoplus in guest bedrooms. “During the first trial at the hotel, painting was complete at 5 pm and the hotel had guests in the room by 7 pm – no VOCs, no toxins and no smell,” he emphasises.

The product helped Sigma Paints secure the runner-up award in the Green Product or Service category in Qatar Today Green Awards (QTGA) 2010.

Another “green” product that has been a great success in Qatar is Sigma Guardian Nano. The first project to use the product in the market is the award-winning Primelands development Al Rayyan Village, where it has been used for its 340 villas. Sigma Guardian Nano has also been appreciated by several of Qatar’s municipalities, which have used it for external repainting of their offices. Other interested parties which have benefited from this technology are Alaqaria, where it has been trialled to help alleviate problems caused by damp and efflorescence on the internal walls of villas, says Page.

Sigma Paints Qatar has been supplying paint to the Qatar market since the mid-1970s when special paint was flown in for the original Khalifa Stadium. Since its inception in 2001 as a locally-owned company, Sigma Paints Qatar has grown enormously and is one of the strongest suppliers in the decorative and protective coatings market, says Page.

“Sigma Paints are specified in many situations due the excellent reputation built over the years for its knowledgeable and helpful staff, high-quality products and excellent training and technical service,” he points out.

The architectural (decorative) sector is the company’s largest market both by volume and by value. “With our ever-growing range of new and innovative products – many market leading – this will continue to be the case. New special effects and high-end finishes are being introduced to the hotel and private villa market to allow owners to make a statement and to differentiate themselves,” he says.

Meanwhile, with the recent opening of the Erhama Bin Jaber Al Jalahma Shipyard, Sigma Paints expects to see growing demand for its marine coatings in the shipping industry.

Over the past couple of years, Sigma Paints Qatar has contributed to several other well-known projects in Qatar including Hamad Medical City, Sidra medical facility, Wakra Hospital, numerous schools and kindergartens, Barwa Wakra Village, Barwa City, Barwa housing projects, Katara Hospitality (Qatar National Hotels), Qatar Petroleum (QP), Qatar Fertiliser Company (Qafco), Qatargas, RasGas, Gulf Cement, Qatar National Convention Centre (Sidra trees), Doha exhibition centre and thousands of villas, to name a few.

The company’s latest projects in the Qatar market include Al Waab City, which was restarted after a three-year delay; The Pearl-Qatar (numerous towers); Lusail; the Ministry of Interior; Barzan Camp for the Emiri Guard; QP; and RasGas offshore.

Sigma Paints Qatar is owned jointly by Sheikh Hamad bin Faisal Al Thani and Sigma Paints Saudi Arabia. The company is part of the almost 300-year-old Sigma organisation founded in Holland which, following its acquisition by PPG, is a member of the second largest coatings company in the world.