The Acrolon 680 single-coat topcoat delivers speed, efficiency and durability to coating an array of industrial- and marine-related assets. (Image source: Sherwin-Williams)

Sherwin-Williams Protective & Marine has launched the Acrolon 680 single-coat topcoat for industrial and marine-related assets

The high-performance direct-to-metal (DTM) polyurethane coating reduces application time and material usage via its minimal surface preparation requirements, quick dry times and excellent one-coat coverage in an easy-to-apply formulation.

The high-solids polyurethane can be applied to marginally prepared surfaces, specifically SSPC-SP2 hand tool cleaned surfaces with tightly adherent rust. In addition, it can be applied direct to metal (DTM) in a single, high-build coat, eliminating the time required for installations of comparable multi-coat acrylic or alkyd systems. The coating can be applied by spray, brush or roller.

Acrolon 680 delivers outstanding chemical resistance and a tougher, more durable finish than traditional acrylics and alkyds. This volatile organic compound (VOC)-compliant coating features 65% volume solids and contains less than 340 g/L VOCs, making it a high-performance solution for a wide range of industrial applications. Suitable for use on tanks, piping, valves, structural steel, marine vessels and equipment exposed to harsh chemical processing environments, Acrolon 680 provides reliable protection and long-lasting performance.

This technology meets SSPC Paint 36 standards and provides a high-gloss finish and excellent colour retention to assets.

“Acrolon 680 provides simplified, yet robust, protection for surfaces not prepared with advanced methods, whether you’re producing new components, equipment or structures, or you’re cleaning up your existing assets,” said Paul Trautmann, marketing director, Infrastructure, Sherwin-Williams Protective & Marine. “It can be used anywhere steel needs a single-coat and long-term protection. Given its ease of application, Acrolon 680 is the premier choice for production efficiency.”

The initiative brings together a range of powerful, scalable, modular solutions designed for the Middle East’s manufacturing landscape. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Omnix International, a leader in digital transformation and innovative technology solutions, is expanding its its Digitization in Manufacturing initiative to address the growing demand for intelligent, immersive, and future-ready production ecosystems and help manufacturers move into the era of Industry 5.0

Omnix’s Digitization in Manufacturing initiative brings together a range of powerful, scalable, modular solutions designed for the Middle East’s manufacturing landscape, that can be tailored for manufacturers across sectors such as oil and gas, automotive, aerospace, electronics, and other manufacturing. Offferings range from smart factory enablement to enable predictive and autonomous operations, to immersive technologies to boost collaboration and workforce efficiency, digital twin platforms for real-time monitoring, optimisation and predictive maintnance, and AI-powered insights for proactive decision making. The platform offers the ability to converge immersive design, engineering-grade simulations, advanced automation, and real-time operational visibility into a single, scalable framework, with a focus on helping customers integrate the most appropriate technologies for their needs.

The move comes at a time when increasing global challenges such as supply chains, rising energy and operational costs and skilled labour shortages are accelerating the move to agile, data-driven environments.

Walid Gomaa, CEO of Omnix said, “As a long-standing provider of solutions to the manufacturing industry, we see that many companies are under pressure to work towards incorporating faster, smarter and more sustainable solutions. Our goal is to help them reimagine production through intelligent digitisation where the focus is not only on automating processes but moving away from a fragmented production ecosystem to one which is integrated, predictive and human centric.”

Rizwan Kareem, business unit manager - Industry Support Solutions at Omnix, added, “We see value being provided by offering solutions that can help bridge our customers physical and digital needs and help them raise their decision making capabilities, increase operational efficiency and strengthen their work-force productivity. It is our way of seeing manufacturers pave their path towards Industry 5.0. Our strength lies in unifying design, automation, AI and XR into a single platform that helps customers achieve their strategic goals.”

Integrated pilot environments are underway at key customer sites that are incorporating the new capabilities, across the UAE, KSA, Qatar, Kuwait and Oman.

The company aims to work alongside regulators, academia and technology partners to foster a regional ecosystem, enabling upskilling through immersive learning and being in a strong position to deliver full lifecycle digital services from consulting and solution architecture to deployment of change management.

Abdul Rahman Al Yahyaei, chief executive officer of IGC

The Integrated Gas Company (IGC) is drawing attention to the energy solutions it is developing to strengthen Oman’s gas value chain and support the country’s industrial and economic growth

Formed in late 2022, IGC is now the sole entity overseeing gas aggregation, allocation, and supply contracts across the Sultanate. The company manages more than 44 billion cubic metres of natural gas each year, distributing it across power generation, LNG exports, and industrial sectors.

Among its recent initiatives is the approval of a 193 km pipeline running from Fahud to Sohar with an extension to Ibri. The project is expected to expand the national gas network by 4.5% and improve supply to two key industrial zones.

Key solutions

IGC has also introduced a number of tools to manage demand and improve efficiency, including supply-demand forecasting systems and Oman’s first spot gas auction platform. These measures currently serve more than 130 end-users in sectors such as power, petrochemicals, metals, and manufacturing.

The company is additionally playing a role in Oman’s energy transition, supporting low-carbon projects such as the Vulcan green steel development in Duqm while ensuring reliable gas supply for the country’s industries.

Through infrastructure projects and digital platforms, IGC is positioning itself as a central player in balancing the country’s energy needs with its long-term economic and sustainability goals.

“Gas is more than an energy source—it’s the engine of Oman’s industrial growth,” said Abdul Rahman Al Yahyaei, chief executive officer of IGC. “At IGC, our role goes beyond supply. We are orchestrating a national strategy that ensures every molecule of gas fuels long-term value for our industries, our people, and our economy.”

When completed, the transaction will support the optimisation of Aramco’s assets. (image source: Adobe Stock)

Aramco has signed a US$11bn lease and leaseback deal involving its Jafurah gas processing facilities with a consortium of international investors, led by funds managed by Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), part of BlackRock

The Jafurah unconventional gas development is estimated to contain 229 trillion standard cubic feet of raw gas and 75 billion Stock Tank Barrels of condensate, with production set to commence this year. It is set to play a key role in Aramco’s plans to increase gas production capacity by 60% between 2021 and 2030, to meet rising demand.

As part of the transaction a newly-formed subsidiary, Jafurah Midstream Gas Company (JMGC), will lease development and usage rights for the Jafurah Field Gas Plant and the Riyas NGL Fractionation Facility, and lease them back to Aramco for a period of 20 years. JMGC will receive a tariff payable by Aramco in exchange for granting Aramco the exclusive right to receive, process and treat raw gas from Jafurah. When completed, the transaction will support the optimisation of Aramco’s assets and capture additional value from the development of the Jafurah gas field.

Aramco will hold a 51% majority stake in JMGC, with the remaining 49% held by investors led by GIP. Co-investors in the transaction include leading institutional investors from Asia and the Middle East.

Amin H. Nasser, Aramco president & CEO, said: “Jafurah is a cornerstone of our ambitious gas expansion programme, and the GIP-led consortium’s participation as investors in a key component of our unconventional gas operations demonstrates the attractive value proposition of the project. This foreign direct investment into the Kingdom also highlights the appeal of Aramco’s long-term strategy to the international investment community. We look forward to Jafurah playing a major role as a feedstock provider to the petrochemicals sector, and supplying energy required to power new growth sectors, such as AI data centres, in the Kingdom.”

Bayo Ogunlesi, chairman and CEO of GIP, said: “We are pleased to deepen our partnership with Aramco with our investment in Saudi Arabia’s natural gas infrastructure, a key pillar of global natural gas markets.”

This investment builds upon the strong existing relationship between Aramco and BlackRock. In 2022, BlackRock co-led a consortium of investors in a separate minority investment in Aramco Gas Pipelines Company.