Coatings World - November 2014

by Shem Oirere Africa Correspondent

Demand for water storage tanks in African to alleviate high level water shortages has created a growing market for protective coatings that ensure high performance and lasting durability of the stowing equipment.

Campaigns to have reliable and constant water supply sources are driving up water storage tank sales which has translated into surging coatings demand as consumers seek to counter the impact of violent weather, temperature swings and constant immersion on the tanks that could be made of concrete, steel or plastic.

These water storage tanks are susceptible to corrosion, which can be averted through quality coating systems. The coatings should be resistant to chemical attacks, have lowest absorption rates and high retention characteristics to enable users cut down on maintenance costs and extend the lifecycle of the water tanks.

According to Dallas Flinch, the director of
Industrial and Marine Coatings at The Sherwin-
Williams Company, “by design, all potable wa-
ter storage tanks are inherently susceptible to
“The primary function of a coating is to
create a barrier to prevent chemical compounds
and moisture from contacting the substrate.
While an electrolyte is not always present in
this area, preventing water ingress is essential
for protection. In addition, the coating must
have good adhesion, and chemical and abra-
sion resistant properties, as well as the ability
to withstand ultraviolet radiation.”
Flinch said for the interior tank applica-
tions, the approach to corrosion control is
different from the exterior one. “The strong
electrolyte formed by the stored water cre-
ates a vehicle for ion transfer and current
flow within the micro structure of the steel.
However, coatings can be used to interrupt
this process and prevent corrosion damage.”
Equipped with investments and the knowl-
edge on water tanks technology, governments,
private companies and non-governmental or-
ganizations in the continent have found water
storage tanks the best alternative to maintain
water supply in the water-stressed African
countries hence laying the foundation for the
expansion of the continent’s water tank coat-
ings market.

The demand for water tanks is understandable. Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest number of water-stressed countries than any other continent in the world today, with more than 340 million people lacking access to a reliable source of water. It is estimated that between 75 million and 250 million people in Africa live in water stress areas posing a threat of displacement of up to 24 million to 700 million people as their condition turns to be unliveable for lack of water.

The United Nations Environmental
Programme (UNEP) said in a few years from
now “almost all sub-Saharan countries will be
below the level at which water supply is enough
for all. Even worse, most of them will be in a
state of water-stress or scarcity.”
The looming water scarcity and desire
by individuals, industrial establishments
and institutions to mitigate current water
shortages and looming scarcity has not only
opened up a huge market for quality wa-
ter storage tanks but also enhanced certain
technologies that could be utilized by the
stowage solutions.

Campaings to have reliable and constant water supply sources are driving up water storage tank slaes, which has tanslated into surging coatings demand.