Final Coat
Eiffel Tower contract sees Jotun Paint
rise to new heights
Ahigh performance protective coating from paint
manufacturer Jotun has been specified for one of
the world’s most iconic structures, the Eiffel
Tower. The 120 year old Paris structure is being repainted using approximately 70 tons of Jotun’s Mammut urethane alkyd-based protective coating as part of an on-going refurbishment scheme.
Jotun Mammut was originally specified by the Societe
d’Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel (SNTE) following a three-year
test program against different systems from others suppliers
the last time the Eiffel Tower was repainted in 2002.
A restructuring and renovation program has been on-going
since 1981 and, over the last 28 years, the structure has been
thoroughly examined, reinforced in places and lightened by the
1,340 tons that had been added in the preceding years.
Greek-based industrial painting contractors STELMA
will be deploying a specialist team capable of working at
extreme heights using roped belays and with limited
access to repair where necessary and repaint the 220,000
square meter surface area by Autumn 2010.
Specifically designed to provide longer protection of
structural and steel and iron work, the Jotun system consists of Mammut RQ topcoat and primer. Both are high
build, single-pack products which are quick to apply by
brush and roller, saving time and costs. The system is
also certified to prevent the spread of surface flame.
A specially prepared formula is being supplied in three
shades for the Eiffel Tower work to provide the impression of the whole structure being single uniformed color.
“We are honored that once again our coatings have
been chosen for protecting this unique example of the
structural engineer’s art,” said Jean-Francois Ferrer, general manager, Jotun France SAS. “We’re confident that
Mammut will prove more than satisfactory in protecting
the tower against the ravages of climate and pollution for
many years to come.” CW
The Eiffel Tower is one of the most famous and recognizable structures in the world. Designed by Gustave Eiffel and
completed in 1889 for the ‘Exposition Unversel’ in Paris, the Tower commemorated the centenary of the French
Revolution. It is constructed using more than 18,000 wrought iron parts fastened together with over 2.5 million rivets. It
stands over 312 meters high and at the time of construction was the tallest structure in the world, weighing 7,300 tons.
