The collaboration enabled the efficient execution of surface preparation and the application of protective coatings on a metal structure severely affected by corrosion, thanks to the use of the portable ROTAIR MDVN 83 compressor.
ROTAIR SpA, a company with over 60 years of experience in the design, manufacture and distribution of portable air compressors, multifunctional dumpers and hydraulic breakers, and a brand of ELGi Equipments Limited, took part together with IBIX Srl in a major restoration project on the Ponte Arena in Mazara del Vallo, Sicily.
Founded in Italy, IBIX is an international reference point in the development and manufacture of technologies for blasting, surface preparation and specialised cleaning. Its advanced air blasting and micro-abrasion systems are widely used in architectural and heritage restoration, as well as in the removal of industrial coatings. The company also offers innovative surface protection solutions through flame spray technology, applying long-lasting thermoplastic coatings with anti-corrosive, waterproof and chemical-resistant properties.
One of IBIX’s most recent projects focused on the restoration of the Ponte Arena, whose steel structure had suffered significant deterioration after years of exposure to moisture, salt and atmospheric pollutants. Traditional multi-layer liquid paint systems offered limited durability and required long curing times, making it necessary to apply a robust, solvent-free coating directly on site. Before the new system could be applied, the existing thick coating had to be completely removed, requiring a powerful yet easily transportable air compressor to operate the IBIX 60 HI PRO blasting system.
To meet this challenge, IBIX selected the portable ROTAIR MDVN 83 compressor, a compact high-performance unit capable of delivering a stable supply of dry compressed air. This consistency proved essential both during the surface preparation phase through blasting and during the subsequent flame spray coating process, ensuring uniform application quality and reliable results throughout the entire workflow.
Operations began with surface preparation using the IBIX 60 HI PRO system to remove rust, old coatings and contaminants, achieving the correct surface profile. The surface was then preheated using the IBIX Atlantis 4.0 flame spray system before applying the PHC-A thermoplastic powder. The result was a uniform, durable and waterproof coating, applied in a single pass with a thickness of between 900 and 1,000 µm, allowing the treated components to be put back into service immediately after cooling.
“IBIX has been working with ROTAIR for more than twenty years, combining compressed air solutions with portable surface treatment and coating technologies. For this project, we selected ROTAIR compressors for their reliability, compact design and ability to supply dry, consistent air, which is essential for both blasting and coating. Their portability allowed us to carry out the entire process directly on the bridge, without any additional infrastructure. With ROTAIR compressors, fixed coating facilities are no longer required, application times are reduced, and coating performance and durability are improved,” has stated Susanna Giovannini, CEO and Founder of IBIX.
Preliminary comparative tests showed that the combination of the IBIX 60 HI PRO system and the ROTAIR MDVN 83 compressor significantly outperformed a much larger competing setup, consisting of a 12,000-litre air compressor and a 200-litre blasting pot. The IBIX–ROTAIR system was more than twice as fast, removing a 2 mm multi-layer paint system at a rate of 6.6 m² per hour using a 9 mm nozzle and achieving an SA 3 blasting grade, compared with 2.4 m² per hour achieved by the alternative system using a 12 mm nozzle. This increased speed made it possible to complete surface preparation and coating in a continuous workflow, with the additional advantage of immediate commissioning thanks to the inherent properties of flame-sprayed thermoplastic coatings, which do not require curing time.
“This project demonstrates how combined expertise can deliver durable, sustainable and field-ready solutions for infrastructure maintenance. Sustainability is a core principle for ROTAIR, and this application fully reflects that commitment. The integrated IBIX–ROTAIR system is completely environmentally friendly, with no solvents or harmful emissions, minimal material waste and low energy consumption. In addition, the long service life of the coating helps to reduce environmental impact by extending maintenance cycles,” has added Jacopo Incrisse, Marketing Manager at ROTAIR.
The MDVN series features a compact, ergonomic and robust design, low sound pressure levels in compliance with current regulations, and emissions that fully meet the latest international environmental standards. Each unit is equipped with an integrated aftercooler and condensate filtration system, ensuring a reliable supply of cool, dry air for a wide range of applications. Designed for maximum ease of use and maintenance, the compressors offer a centralised control panel, easy access to components and intelligent systems that prevent engine start-up load and enable low-pressure shutdown. The one-button “No Key” start system, combined with an anti-repeat function that protects the starter motor, further enhances operational reliability.