Monopol Colors at the i3C Conference: Innovations for Sustainable Corrosion Protection
Monopol Colors presented pioneering solutions for sustainable corrosion protection at the i3C Conference in Jamshedpur (India). Focusing on long-lasting coating systems according to ISO 12944, Lionel Schlessinger demonstrated how fluoropolymer technologies can secure both functional and aesthetic durability for decades. The collaboration with IIT Kanpur on environmentally friendly corrosion inhibitors underscores the commitment to innovative and sustainable approaches.
On February 6 and 7, 2025, Monopol Colors was invited by Tata Steel to the 2nd International Conference on Corrosion and Coatings (i3C) in Jamshedpur, India. Founded in 1912, Jamshedpur was named after the industrialist Jamshedji Tata, who established Asia’s first steel mill in the city and founded the Tata Group.
Corrosion is a ubiquitous problem that costs between 3% and 5% of GDP depending on the country. It affects not only the economy but also the environment and society. Therefore, it is crucial to improve corrosion protection for both substrates and coatings. During the two-day event, leading institutes and companies presented innovative studies and solutions to address these challenges. Furthermore, Lionel Schlessinger had the honor of chairing the session on sustainable advancements in corrosion protection.
He also delivered a lecture on color and gloss stability for sustainable corrosion protection according to ISO 12944 through the use of fluoropolymer coatings. In his presentation, he explained how FEVE coatings enhance the resilience of corrosion-protective coating systems. With the introduction of ISO 12944-2018, a new protection category – “very high,” with a service life of more than 25 years – was established. This service life refers exclusively to corrosion resistance and does not take into account either the aesthetic appearance of the coating or a possible weakening of the system due to porosity caused by chalking. Particularly in structures such as bridges, where a complete overhaul is planned no earlier than after 30 to 40 years, final coatings often cannot meet both the functional and aesthetic requirements over such an extended period. Through practical examples and cost analyses, he demonstrated that modern fluoropolymer coatings can achieve a “very high” service life both functionally and aesthetically.
Another fascinating approach was presented by Prof. Mondal and his team from the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur. They conducted extensive studies on the use of abundant agricultural waste as green corrosion inhibitors. Cattle manure, chickpea waste, and leather waste were tested in various aqueous corrosive environments at different pH levels, resulting in surprisingly high corrosion inhibition rates. Monopol Colors will collaborate with Prof. Mondal to further explore innovative approaches in this promising field.
