Some of the world’s largest shipping companies have their tanks lined with Interline 9001. Now it has been launched as a liner for ISO tank containers.
When talking to AkzoNobel Linings Product Manager Matthew Fletcher about the decision to launch Interline 9001 as an internal lining for ISO tank containers, the first question that comes to mind is this: what took you so long?
Interline 9001 is already well established around the world as a lining for ships’ tanks. After ten years in development, Interline 9001 was launched into the marine market and patent was granted for ‘superior chemical resistance and cycling capabilities’. Over 500 ship tanks a year are protected with Interline 9001 across the globe.
Fletcher explains: “The tank container market takes safety and protecting the environment very seriously. Interline 9001 from our International® range is a proven performer in the marine industry and we are confident in the product’s performance – but we wanted to take the time to prove both its quality and the benefits it provides also for the tank container market.”
Fletcher claims Interline 9001 will add security of supply and also give a wider choice to customers, as it is joining a market with a limited number of linings suppliers. “AkzoNobel has gained a share of the market with Interline 9001 for the chemical cargo tanks of ships,” he says. “But applying the same product to tank containers is stepping into a different arena altogether.
“ISO tanks tend to carry more aggressive chemicals than those of ships’ tanks and also operate at higher temperatures, which can increase how aggressive the chemicals are. ISO tanks travel halfway around the world and the operators need to be sure they are securely holding their cargoes. Taking a cargo such as sulphuric acid, the consequences of a leak could be catastrophic to the environment.”
Naturally, chemical manufacturers and shippers do not take risks with the transport of potentially dangerous chemicals, so to get this into the market AkzoNobel needed to have very strong technical data that proves the quality and reliability of the product, says Fletcher.
During 2017, AkzoNobel set up trials working with ISO lining applicator HÜNI + CO in Germany and this was an important step forward. “HÜNI + CO is a respected applicator in the ISO tank market – they liked the way Interline 9001 applied and they are happy to work with it. That is important for us.”
Fletcher points out that when it comes to lining selection in ISO tanks, the decision is not always made by the same people; the chemical company may recommend a lining or leave the selection to the tank owner, operator or the applicator.
“Most companies will only trust proven applicators to apply the internal lining to their ISO tanks. As a leading global paints and coatings company, AkzoNobel prides itself on working with safety, integrity and sustainability as its core principles. Major chemical companies are looking to partner with established companies with sustainability-led goals and ethics, which complement their same business principles. AkzoNobel ticks all of those boxes. We can offer a sustainable partnership which has synergistic values to the product owners and shippers.”
As a global company, AkzoNobel manufactures Interline 9001 in the UK, China and Korea, and it is also setting up production in the US. As with the ships’ tanks product, Interline 9001 for tank containers will be a ‘class zero’ product. This means that the product is subject to the same stringent quality controls and will perform exactly the same wherever it is made in the world. “We have the capacity and factories around the world and scaling up is no problem to ensure we can meet the demands of the global tank container market,” says Fletcher
He adds: “Being a truly global supplier, AkzoNobel has sales and technical service representatives (TSRs) located in areas where it’s important to our customers. Our local TSRs support the application of Interline 9001, providing fast reaction times with local language support and understanding of the project requirements. “Should any issue arise with Interline 9001 whilst the ISO tank is in service, AkzoNobel’s global network of TSRs will be able to inspect the ISO tank, regardless of location, and assist with any warranty queries.”
What are the key advantages of Interline 9001? Fletcher says: “The product is based on patented bimodal technology, which produces a lining highly resistant to a wide range of aggressive chemicals. The lining itself is the result of ten years of development and has been successfully used in the marine industry since 2011. It is applied using standard equipment at ambient temperatures, by conventional air spray or airless spray. It requires only a single post cure heating cycle after application, instead of multiple heating between layers, achieving optimum properties while saving time for the applicator.”
Product Manager Matthew Fletcher
Using Interline 9001 also allows flexibility in supply chains, he says. “It is very low absorption. In ship tanks, that gives the owner a very wide choice of subsequent cargoes to maximise profitability. When applied as a tank container lining, Interline 9001 is very smooth and easy to clean and would offer the same flexibility in follow-on cargoes.
And it comes with guarantees. To ensure correct specification and suitability for use of Interline 9001 in ISO tanks, all cargoes must be signed off by the AkzoNobel technical department first. This reduces the risk of Interline 9001 being used with a cargo it is not suited for, ensuring high levels of quality and safety for the customer.
“Safety is our number one priority,” Fletcher emphasises. “We are making sure that all applicators receive the AkzoNobel Interline 9001 product training and agree to work within the AkzoNobel guidelines. This ensures the safety of the applicators and highest quality levels of application, which in turn ensures performance in service. We also have dedicated technical teams offering expert customer support and quick response to chemical resistance enquiries.”
Once there is technical confirmation of resistance to the chemical cargo being proposed, AkzoNobel will offer a warranty for the performance of Interline 9001.
“The introduction of Interline 9001 creates a more competitive ISO tanks lining market,” says Fletcher. “AkzoNobel entering the ISO tank market with the high quality Interline 9001 will increase security of supply of linings for the market whilst giving customers the option to work with a truly sustainable partner who works to the same values of integrity, diversity and sustainability as the global chemical companies do.
“The overwhelming message is high quality – this is our best lining for a very specific end use, and we have done extensive testing.”
As to the future, innovation is the key priority for AkzoNobel. “We want to be the most innovative company in the paint and coatings market and we have numerous R&D projects in the background.
“For tank containers, we will continue to work to increase chemical resistance and technical performance in the tank. We will also focus on ease of application, to make it even easier to apply and to reduce any danger or risk associated with application or service. We have recommended practices and work closely with applicators – ensuring those practices are followed is part of our sustainability and safety commitment.
“The tank container world is a strong community and, as I said, safety and the environment are key, so it can take a time to convince people to change to another product. But AkzoNobel’s credibility and global technical support, along with Interline 9001’s wide chemical resistance and availability, are convincing arguments for change.”
Quelle: Tankcontainer Magazin, Ausgabe März 2018
