Paints company AkzoNobel will coat Kuwait’s Al Zour and Clean Fuel Refinery projects as part of the country’s 2030 strategy to strengthen its energy infrastructure and local manufacturing sectors.
The diverse range of protective coatings systems provided by the paints company will ensure both the refinery projects have the “highest degree of durability, corrosion resistance and, in turn, long-term operational efficiency", AkzoNobel said.
More than three million litres of AkzoNobel’s products, designed to protect structures in hot, humid, and harsh environments, will be applied on valves, steel structures, and pipes of both refineries.
Supporting the Kuwaiti government’s ambition to transform the country through New Vision 2030, the $14bn (KWD4.2bn) Al Zour refinery will produce low sulphur fuel oil that will replace the high-sulphur fuel oil used in local power plants.
Owned by Kuwait Integrated Petroleum Industries Company (KIPIC), the refinery will “leverage the latest technology to comply with stringent regulations to protect the environment”, AkzoNobel added in a statement.
It will process 615,000 barrels per day (bpd) of light Kuwait crude oil, or 535,000bpd of heavy-mix Kuwait crude oil.
More than 50% of this refinery will be covered in AkzoNobel’s products.
The paints company will also cover more than 60% Kuwait’s $12bn (KWD3.6bn) Clean Fuels project in protection coating, with the integrated complex set to deliver clean fuel and boost exports in addition to meeting local requirements.
The news comes ten months after the global paints brand, whose portfolio includes Dulux, International, Interpon, and Sikkens, announced the opening of its first regional application training centre Dubai.
