Hempel A/S has launched Hempaline Defend 430, the latest addition to the Hempaline Defend family and a next-generation tank lining created to help energy operators boost efficiency, minimise downtime, and extend maintenance intervals. The solvent-free epoxy phenolic lining streamlines application, lowers energy use during installation, and supports more sustainable operations by reducing VOC emissions and workplace hazards.
By combining single-coat efficiency with rapid curing and long-term durability, Hempaline Defend 430 enables asset owners to keep tanks in service longer whilst lowering lifecycle costs. Matthew Fletcher, Segment Development Manager for Linings at Hempel A/S, explained that following a trial application with a major tank builder, the company received clear feedback that a shorter inspection time compared to existing linings will significantly improve output in their workshop.
Fletcher added that with Hempaline Defend 430, asset owners benefit from a solvent-free lining applicable in a single coat, capable of rapid return to service, and approved even for the most sensitive cargos. With temperature resistance up to 90°C and strong hydrocarbon resistance, Defend 430 offers a versatile one-product solution for storage tanks.
The product features several key technical characteristics: it is a solvent-free epoxy phenolic lining for energy storage tanks with single-coat application at 400 micrometres (16 mils), enabling rapid return to service within three days at 20°C. The lining withstands crude oil up to 93°C (200°F) and carries approvals for potable water (WRAS) and jet fuel (EI1541). An inspection interval extension of up to five years is achievable when compliant with API 652 and 653 standards with optional glass fibre mat reinforcement. The system is compatible with Hempaline Prepare 130 primer for immersion conditions up to 90°C.
The Hempaline Defend range comprises high-performance lining solutions engineered for demanding conditions in energy and process industries. Designed to withstand corrosion, high temperatures, abrasion, and exposure to a wide spectrum of chemicals and solvents, these linings provide reliable long-term protection. By reducing maintenance needs and extending service life, Hempaline Defend helps operators maximise uptime and lower total lifecycle costs.
Tank linings perform critical protective functions in energy storage applications, preventing corrosion of steel substrates whilst maintaining product quality by preventing contamination. Storage tanks handle diverse products, including crude oil, refined petroleum products, aviation fuels, chemicals, and water, each presenting specific compatibility and performance requirements for protective coatings.
The solvent-free formulation addresses environmental and occupational health considerations by eliminating volatile organic compound emissions during application and curing. This reduces air quality impacts, improves working conditions for application personnel, and eliminates fire hazards associated with solvent-containing coatings in confined tank interiors.
Single-coat application at 400 micrometres represents efficiency gains compared to multi-coat systems requiring multiple application cycles, intermediate inspection stages, and extended curing periods between coats. Reducing application time translates directly to shorter tank out-of-service periods, minimising revenue losses from storage capacity unavailability.
The three-day return-to-service timeline at 20°C enables rapid tank commissioning following new construction or maintenance recoating. Traditional tank linings may require weeks for full cure and degassing before product introduction, particularly for sensitive cargos, including aviation fuels requiring stringent contamination control.
Temperature resistance to 90°C addresses thermal conditions in heated storage tanks and tropical operating environments where product temperatures may exceed ambient conditions significantly. The crude oil resistance rating to 93°C encompasses typical crude oil storage temperatures, including heated storage maintaining viscosity for heavy crudes.
Approvals for potable water and jet fuel applications demonstrate the coating’s versatility across diverse storage requirements. WRAS (Water Regulations Advisory Scheme) approval confirms suitability for drinking water contact, whilst EI1541 approval from the Energy Institute establishes compatibility with aviation turbine fuels requiring stringent quality maintenance.
The potential for five-year inspection interval extension when meeting API 652 and 653 requirements reduces inspection frequency and associated costs whilst maintaining compliance with petroleum industry standards for atmospheric and low-pressure storage tank inspection. Optional glass fibre mat reinforcement provides additional mechanical protection against impact and abrasion in demanding service conditions.
Compatibility with Hempaline Prepare 130 primer enables complete system specification from Hempel, ensuring compatibility across preparatory and protective coating layers whilst simplifying procurement and quality assurance processes.
Hempel’s launch of Hempaline Defend 430 addresses industry requirements for high-performance tank linings delivering reduced application time, rapid commissioning, extended service life, and broad cargo compatibility, supporting energy operators’ objectives for operational efficiency and asset lifecycle optimisation.
For more information visit www.hempel.com
