Steel Groups Name Duraplate Coating Product of the Year

The Sherwin-Williams Protective & Marine Coatings group won the 2008 Steel Tank Institute/Steel Plate Fabricator's Association Affiliate Product of the Year Award for its Duraplate® UHS Epoxy Coating with Opti-Check Optically Active Pigment Technology

The product was evaluated by affiliate members and found to maintain its film thickness along edges, helping to extend the service life of painted, submerged structures—a crucial factor considering corrosion generally begins on the edges of these structures. The award is given annually to recognize suppliers for an innovation considered the most helpful new product for use by fabricators.

The winning product is the only one of its type meeting the requirements of NSF Standard 61 for potable water tanks of at least 1,000 gallons. It is also chemical and hydrocarbon solution-resistant, making it well-suited for the shop-fabricated tanks.