BASF introduces rotor blade refinishing system in the United Kingdom
- Cooperation with British distributor Pexa
- RELEST® Wind RepKit boosts wind turbine efficiency
Muenster.For wind turbines, a long service life is a crucial factor for their efficiency. BASF has developed a refinishing system for rotor blades and is marketing it in the United Kingdom via the supplier Pexa. The RELEST® Wind RepKit improves the production and maintenance of the wind turbines in the growing British market.
“The construction of wind turbines will rapidly increase in the next ten years in the United Kingdom,” explained Jim Rowbotham, Managing Director of Pexa. “With BASF’s RELEST Wind RepKit, we are putting a product on the market that substantially extends the service life, which in turn contributes to efficiency.”
BASF introduced the RELEST Wind RepKit in Germany and other countries in 2012. The wear and tear on a rotor blade and on the paint applied to it is extreme. For instance, at a height of about 90 meters, raindrops turn into tiny bullets. At top speeds of over 300 kilometers per hour, the blade tips may bend by more than one meter under the incredible forces. These high demands can cause damage during the wind turbine’s life cycle that impairs its performance. With the RELEST Wind RepKit, this damage can be repaired, boosting the turbine’s efficiency. The system was designed for stationary use on the ground or on the turbine itself. Damage sustained during production can also be repaired immediately. All of the required paints and accessories are included in the easy-to-use system. A Wind RepKit training course conveys the theory and practice of rotor blade refinishing.
“A wind turbine whose rotor blades are not moving is not profitable. With the system, we are helping the turbines attain a service life of up to 20 years,” explained Uwe Pinzer, in charge of sales for wind coatings at BASF. “With Pexa, we have now found an ideal partner that uses its network of distributors and existing structures to serve the growing British market with our innovation.” Pexa, located in West Yorkshire, specializes in marketing surface technologies and other high-tech products.
BASF offers a complete portfolio of coating technologies for wind turbines, from the turbine base to the edge of the rotor blade. The products stand out for their excellent weathering and corrosion resistance, superior elongation and tensile strength, as well as their highly efficient applicability.
About the Coatings Division
In the Coatings Division, BASF develops, produces and markets a high-quality range of innovative automotive OEM coatings, automotive refinishes and industrial coatings as well as decorative paints. BASF has significant market positions in the Coatings sector in Europe, North America, South America and the Asia Pacific region. In 2012 the Coatings Division of the BASF Group achieved global sales of nearly 3,0 € Euros. The internet address is www.basf-coatings.com. You can download a copy of BASF customer magazine Coatings Partner from www.coatingspartner.com
About BASF
BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products and crop protection products to oil and gas. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. Through science and innovation, we enable our customers in nearly every industry to meet the current and future needs of society. Our products and solutions contribute to conserving resources, ensuring nutrition and improving quality of life. We have summed up this contribution in our corporate purpose: We create chemistry for a sustainable future. BASF had sales of €72.1 billion in 2012 and more than 110,000 employees as of the end of the year. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (AN). Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.
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