Pexa and BASF start up the Relest wind turbine blade Training School

The Maintenance and Repair of wind turbine blades in service is a key element in achieving maximum performance over the 20+ years life of the equipment.

The aerodynamic properties of a new blade need to be retained for it to work as intended and BASF have introduced their Relest® coating system to do just that.

Rather than rely on the materials alone, this is a completely defined process from initial assessment through to preparation and application with inspection that delivers the best possible outcome in respect of long term performance. All surface preparation equipment and disposables are specified and the BASF materials are packaged to make them practical when working at height.

The final element was provided when the first Contractor attended the Training school in Oldenburg, Germany and completed every single stage of the process. Ropetask Ltd from Wednesbury in the West Midlands sent a number of technicians including their MD Haydn Gamble on the course so that they could gain a full appreciation of the entire process.

Haydn has a long and distinguished track record in rope access and is level 3 IRATA qualified , he said “ We have been looking for a course that combines detailed instruction with a system that is independently approved rather than just a general repair course. The BASF Relest system is just that and has Germanischer Lloyd (GL) certification and a UK based Distributor in Pexa Ltd who have been leading the way forward. We have now completed our training and found it to be highly professional”.

Jim Rowbotham MD at Pexa is pleased with their progress in this important energy market “Wind power is set to become a significant contributor to the energy needs of the UK and a key element is reducing costs so that it competes with more traditional alternatives. It will do so by achieving a 40% reduction in total life costs and keeping the blades in good condition even when battered by rain and hail at 100 meters per second is a major factor in this. “

The UK wind energy market is set to expand quickly creating significant new employment as major new investment in manufacturing plants and maintenance operations expand to meet the increased demand.

Pexa has a solid history in the Aerospace industry and specialises in helping to provide a full service package to their customers.

Pexa launches the Axson Coatings bulk storage tank lining coatings in the UK

Pexa, the specialist supplier of surface finishing materials to the energy and other high tech markets is very pleased to announce that it has been selected by Axson Coatings (formerly BS-Coatings) as its UK distributor for the Eurokote® range of coatings for the lining of bulk storage containers of fuels and petrochemical products. 

This new capability fits perfectly with Pexa’s strategy of offering specialist materials for key field of application in the energy sector. Pexa can now supply speciality coatings for wind turbines, all metal and concrete structures in exposed conditions and large scale storage tank linings. 

Axson Coatings was established in 1945 and is a world leader in anti corrosion coatings for storage tanks and pipelines. The company’s Eurokote® product range is widely approved by major refinery and petrochemical operators around the World. 

For more information on Axon Coatings, please click here.

Pexa announced as Sofiplast’s UK Agent

Never one to rest on their laurels, Pexa starts the New Year with a new product range announcement. French coatings removal specialist, Sofiplast Group has appointed Pexa as its UK agent to market and manage their range of ecological paint stripping equipment.

Using dry wheatstarch in a low pressure stream, the Sofiplast system removes paint from any substrate quickly and efficiently; but its key advantage is its safety. No harmful chemicals are used, meaning safety for substrates, operatives and the environment. In addition, because the Sofiplast system operates at a very low pressure, users can expect a reduction in energy costs and noise levels.

Wheatstarch stripping is approved for use by Boeing, Beech and Bombardier along with numerous aerospace facilities across Europe.

MD of Pexa Jim Rowbotham commented “2012 is going to be a very busy and productive year; kicking it off with this important new partnership with Sofiplast is a sign of what the industry can expect from us. We choose to represent products only after close scrutiny and the Sofiplast system was no exception. Its ecological credentials and efficiency makes it a highly attractive proposition for our customers.” Pexa is offering trial stripping of components, either on their customers’ own sites or at the Sofiplast facilities.

For more information, click here.