Since 1998, Interpon’s innovative powder coating systems have helped HAGS protect their products from corrosion, abrasion, and harsh environmental conditions worldwide.
The longstanding partnership between HAGS, a leading manufacturer of high-quality children’s playground equipment, and AkzoNobel’s Interpon powder coatings team has recently marked its 25th anniversary — a testament to a quarter of a century built on trust and outstanding performance.
HAGS first approached AkzoNobel Powder Coatings back in 1998, seeking to transition from solvent-based paints to a more sustainable coating solution that aligned with its environmental goals. Despite this shift, there was no room for compromise on the quality and durability needed to protect against corrosion, scratches and abrasion — making Interpon powder coatings the clear choice.
“What is vital to our customers is that the products have a long life-span and reflect well on the people who procured them. What is crucial to us, therefore, is working with a partner like Interpon whose products protect and enhance our equipment and ensure they keep performing in a variety of different global climates and environmental conditions,” has explained Andy Yates, Technical Director at HAGS.
AkzoNobel has supported HAGS by introducing innovative coating technologies, including the Interpon Redox two-layer system — comprising a zinc-rich Interpon Redox PZ epoxy primer and topcoat. More recently, HAGS has offered its outdoor fitness range the enhanced protection of the Redox Triplex three-layer system, designed for challenging coastal environments with corrosivity category C5, where salt air accelerates corrosion.
“Our market requirements are changing all the time, and it’s vital that we respond to our customers’ needs, including the challenge of the pandemic. What is constant, however, is our passion for sustainability, and equipment that is protected against corrosion so that it lasts longer is, by definition, more sustainable,” has stated Mark Grace, Marketing Director of HAGS.
In response to growing demand for hygienic solutions, HAGS recently introduced an optional Interpon AM topcoat with antimicrobial technology, capable of reducing microbial growth such as bacteria and mould by up to 99.9%. This coating has proven particularly popular for outdoor fitness equipment used in public spaces, which often see heavy use.
“It gives our customers peace of mind that our installed products will last for many years with minimal maintenance required to the powder coated finish, as well as being based on a sound environmentally friendly solution. And because Interpon is a globally available powder coating system, we have been able to develop a standardised finishing system across all our European factories. It’s why we work in partnership with Interpon, because we can be sure that the powder coatings we use match the high standards that we consistently maintain,” has concluded Mark Grace.