A newly certified protective coating system from German manufacturer Steelpaint GmbH is attracting attention across the UK rail industry following successful approval by Network Rail.
Steelpaint’s Stelcatec, a three-layer moisture-cured polyurethane coating
distributed by Recoat UK, is now officially listed under Network Rail’s specification XM92/M24. The product offers rail contractors a faster, simpler, and more flexible method of corrosion protection and steel maintenance.
Approved in January 2025, Stelcatec is designed for on-site application, providing full protection of steelwork without the complexity and logistical challenges associated with multi-component coatings or other corrosion prevention systems.
During a demonstration held in March at Specialist Painting Group’s facility in Peterborough, Stelcatec was applied to three manually cleaned ‘gingered’ steel samples prepared to the St3 standard, under realistic conditions of 13°C. The full three-coat system was completed within four hours using standard rollers, and subsequent pull-off adhesion testing confirmed the coating’s performance on minimally prepared surfaces.
“This isn’t just about meeting the specification. It’s about optimising steel protection, simplifying the application process, and reducing costs. Applicators were surprised at how easily they could complete a job in one shift rather than three,” has stated Andreas Engert, Technical Director at Steelpaint.
The event was attended by representatives from Network Rail, alongside leading painting contractors and consultants. Their presence validated the product’s technical capabilities and demonstrated industry demand for alternatives to traditional multi-pack systems, which often require site-specific mixing, strict environmental controls, and long drying times.
“Rail infrastructure development and maintenance needs to be more agile. Stelcatec offers Network Rail a product that can be applied by small teams in real-world conditions, causing minimal disruption to rail services,” has added Frank Müller, Director of Steelpaint.
Unlike traditional epoxy coatings, Stelcatec requires no complicated mixing or hazardous hardeners. As a single-component moisture-curing polyurethane, it is applied straight from the can, cures quickly even in humid conditions, and adheres strongly to manually prepared steel—ideal where blast cleaning isn’t feasible.
The demonstration aimed to showcase the product’s capabilities to applicators and specifiers. All coatings were applied using standard rollers, with no special equipment, ventilation, or weather-related delays. Recoat intervals were measured in hours rather than days, minimising application times.
Since the demonstration, several contractors have expressed interest in trialling Stelcatec on Network Rail infrastructure. Recoat UK is now providing support and training for those adopting the system into their maintenance programmes. Initial focus is on small to mid-sized bridges and platform assets, with larger-scale applications expected once the product is proven in service. Recoat has already secured a contract to apply Stelcatec to the bridge at Roding Valley station, maintained by Transport for London.