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Axalta Tackles Panama Canal Contract
A global supplier of liquid and powder coatings has announced its participation in a major restoration job.
Axalta Coating Systems has won a four-year contract to supply industrial coatings and architectural building paints to the restoration of the buildings and locks of the Panama Canal, according to a statement released Monday (Aug. 31).
During the scope of the restoration of the largest canal in the world, Axalta will deliver a variety of its products to meet the demands of the wide range of materials, exposures and structures involved in the project—from the buildings on site to the locks themselves.
Coatings in the Canal Zone
Axalta reported that two classes of its architectural paints lines will be used on interior and exterior building walls and trim within the Canal Zone.
Two of its industrial coating products will be used to protect floor surfaces.
When it comes to the locks, as well as other interior and exterior metal and galvanized surface, Axalta will deliver three coating products. According to the company, these brands are designed to reduce application time by their ability to be directly applied to metal and for use on long-lasting, heavy-duty substrates, such as marine surfaces that are constantly exposed to water.
“These products, applied to surfaces constantly exposed to water, abrasion and strong Panamanian winds, will ensure superior, long lasting protection against corrosion and material wear on the structures,” said Axalta’s Ruben Gallardo, Axalta’s Central America general manager.
Expansion and Restoration
The Panama Canal, which opened in 1914, is currently undergoing a $5.25 billion dollar expansion project intended to double its capacity. The project was about 93 percent complete as of July 31, according to the Canal de Panama website.
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The $5.25 billion Panama Canal Expansion project is slated for completion in April 2016. |
Begun in 2007, the expansion project was originally intended to wrap up in August 2014, but following a variety of setbacks, completion is now targeted for April 2016. The project is about $100 million over budget, according to a Journal of Commerce report in July.
”The Panama Canal is one of the most important engineering works in history, an iconic engineering achievement,” explained Alfredo Villalobos, Latin America Industrial Coatings director.
“The canal will now be restored with some of the most advanced industrial coating products in the world, applications that will extend the productive lifespan of the Canal Zone as a key asset in international trade.”
