HOUSTON, Texas, Sept. 13 /PRNewswire-AsiaNet/InfoQuest International Paint, an Akzo Nobel company, and one of the world's leading providers of high-performance coatings and fireproofing materials, introduces interchar(R) technology, an advanced fireproofing material that delivers unprecedented fire protection and anti-corrosion benefits required to keep America's high-rise buildings and public structures safer. ( Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050912/DAM005ALOGO-a http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050912/DAM005A-b http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050912/DAM005A-c ) "The tragic effects of terrorism have forced the new-construction industry to re-evaluate traditional methods of fire protection in commercial infrastructures," said Craig Scott, International Paint's Director of Fire and Insulation, Americas. "That includes everything from building codes, to structural design issues and the less durable fireproofing materials currently specified for commercial steel structures." Interchar is derived from the company's proven Chartek(R) technology, developed more than 30 years ago to meet the needs of NASA's Apollo program, as well as global oil companies for their offshore oil rigs. These industries depend on Chartek to protect steel from volatile hydrocarbon-induced fires, explosions and jet fires that can reach temperatures of more than 2000 degrees Fahrenheit. Chartek's aesthetic limitations, however, have prevented the fireproofing from being used effectively in commercial construction applications. In developing the next generation of technology to create a new thin-film intumescent epoxy material, Interchar can now deliver the aesthetic versatility architects seek for exposed steel designs, while also providing the anti-corrosion and extreme-heat fire protection never before available to the building industry. Interchar's formulation produces faster cure times, superior adhesion to steel surfaces and an ultra-strong, durable barrier to the steel beam underneath. In addition, the technology's inherent flexibility allows it to be fabrication shop-applied in as little as two coats, virtually eliminating the complex and labor intensive process of applying fireproofing materials at the construction site. Together, these attributes can provide up to four hours of fire protection, helping prevent steel infrastructures from collapsing prematurely and giving building occupants more time to evacuate safely. "This is a technology that has come of age," said Scott. "The human and economic costs of fire damage can be significantly reduced, if not eliminated, by the use of a fireproofing system that can address any emergency fire event. Interchar is a prime example of the technology being recommended by the NIST this week, at the Federal Building and Fire Safety Investigation of the World Trade Center Disaster Conference." International Paint is a leading global provider of high performance coatings products for over 25 years, offering an extensive range of high performance coatings for the oil, gas, chemical processing, power, paper and pulp, rail, steel structure, mining and marine industries. With operations in over 54 countries, manufacturing in 18 factories and over 300 stock locations, International Paint is the first choice for quality products, manufactured, delivered and serviced to the same standard across the globe. International Paint is a part of Akzo Nobel, a market driven, technology-based company specializing in coatings, chemicals and pharmaceuticals. Media Contacts: http://www.international-pc.com/pc/pressroom MultiVu link: http://www.prnewswire.com/broadcast/22577/press.shtml SOURCE: International Paint CONTACT: http://www.internationalpaint-pc.com/pc/pressroom Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050912/DAM005ALOGO-a http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050912/DAM005A-b http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050912/DAM005A-c AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org PRN Photo Desk: [email protected] Web site: http://www.internationalpaint.com http://www.international-pc.com/pc/pressroom Video: http://www.prnewswire.com/broadcast/22577/press.shtml --Distributed by AsiaNet (www.asianetnews.net)--