As part of the AMPP Annual Conference + Expo 2026, one of the industry’s most important events, Hempel presents its vision for the future of industrial coatings. David Hunter, Segment Development for CUI, High Heat and Thermal Insulation Coatings at Hempel A/S, explains how the industry is evolving toward solutions focused on coating durability as the main value driver.
In this context, the Danish company strengthens its positioning as a key player in asset protection in sectors such as energy and infrastructure, where reliability and material service life are decisive.
Hempel stands out for its unique ownership model, being backed by a foundation. This approach allows the company to reinvest in the development of advanced materials and solutions that improve product performance. According to corporate information, its coatings are used worldwide to protect critical infrastructure, from bridges to power plants, helping reduce maintenance costs and improve operational efficiency.
Likewise, the company focuses its value proposition on extending asset service life. This strategy not only addresses technical needs, but also a growing market demand for solutions that reduce interventions and optimize total life-cycle cost.
The concept of coating durability has shifted from a competitive advantage to an essential requirement. As David Hunter explains, the industry is aligning around a common goal: maximizing the service life of protection systems.
In this regard, Hempel is developing solutions capable of exceeding 25 years in service. This evolution directly responds to the demands of energy and industrial customers, where operational shutdowns and maintenance represent high costs.
In addition, durability is no longer assessed only in the lab; real operating conditions have taken on a central role in performance validation. A coating’s ability to maintain its properties in aggressive environments is now the main quality indicator.
One of the most important aspects in coating selection is empirical evidence. Hunter highlights the importance of track records—real cases that demonstrate product behavior in specific environments.
This approach enables customers to make decisions based on tangible data, beyond simulations. As a result, benchmarking in real applications is becoming an important tool for predicting long-term performance.
In this way, coating durability becomes a verifiable metric, supported by measurable and comparable results within the industry.
On the other hand, one of the major technical challenges lies in finding the balance between ease of application and high performance. As coatings evolve toward more advanced formulations, their application requirements also change.
According to Hunter, some products require more sophisticated equipment or specific conditions to ensure proper performance. This introduces a critical variable into the equation: proper application is just as important as product quality.
Given this scenario, Hempel is investing in applicator training as an integral part of its value proposition. Ensuring that professionals understand and correctly execute the processes is essential to achieve the expected durability.
The industry is also moving toward solutions that improve working conditions for those who apply coatings. Application safety is emerging as a crucial factor in the development of new products.
In this regard, Hempel is working on the formulation of materials that reduce exposure to harmful substances, while maintaining high performance standards. This balance is essential to ensure that technical advances are viable in real-world environments.
Likewise, ongoing investment in new materials enables the company to stay aligned with industry trends and respond to emerging challenges.
Looking ahead, coating durability will remain the central focus in developing solutions for energy and infrastructure. The combination of materials innovation, field validation, and technical training will make the difference among suppliers.
In this scenario, companies like Hempel are committed to a comprehensive approach that spans from product design to final application. This vision makes it possible to deliver solutions that meet real market needs.
Ultimately, the industry’s evolution points toward coatings capable of delivering longer service life, less maintenance, and better performance under demanding conditions.
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Source: Inspenet.
