Hempel opens new Centre of Excellence in Barcelona

World-leading coatings manufacturer Hempel says it held on 29 November 2018 a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new Centre of Excellence in Barcelona. The centre’s focus will be on the research and de-velopment of coating products within the field of passive fire protection in which Hempel is determined to gain market share during the next few years.

State-of-the-art research and development conducted by experts using the latest technology – this is what Hempel is now opening the doors to as the Centre of Excellence is inaugurated.

As a global leader in the coatings industry, Hempel is committed to increase its range of passive fire protection (PFP) coatings, and the entire Centre of Excellence is dedicated to this field.

The new Centre of Excellence is strategically located just outside Barcelona in Spain, as Hempel has a long and successful history in the region. However, the activities and results carried out here will have a global reach.

“We are determined to develop the coatings industry within the PFP field on a global scale,” says Group Vice President and COO Lars Petersson. “PFP coatings are an important part of our growth strategy. But it is equally important to us to help protect the inside of our customers’ assets and provide safety to the people working or staying there. And applying the right coating is crucial here.”

A strong organisation with a dedicated team

From 1 December, 29 employees will be working at Hempel’s new Centre of Excellence. They will form a strong technical organisation, which consists of highly skilled technicians, applicators, fire testers, and scientists.

R&D Director in Barcelona Santiago Arias says:

“The organisation at the new Centre of Excellence will continue the work in developing PFP products and testing solutions. Hempel already offers a range of PFP products, but the team is dedicated to moving forward and I can promise that our product portfolio will soon be expanded with solutions that our customers can trust to protect their buildings and industrial installations.”

For the past seven years, Hempel has grown within the field of PFP coatings, and with the new R&D Centre of Excellence in Barcelona, this journey continues.

Facts about the R&D Centre of Excellence

Hempel has invested € 6 million in this new Centre of Excellence
3,000 m2 laboratory, testing areas and offices
When fully operational the PFP Centre of Excellence will employ more than 30 highly qualified employees, many of them experts within their field
- Technicians, fire testers and applicators
- Scientists (including PhDs)
- Chartered engineers