Page 20 - 201902 SCA February 2019 Volume 56 Number 1

Conference NEWS

Latest advancements in corrosion mitigation

revealed at Corrosion & Prevention 2018

By the Australasian Corrosion Association
The largest corrosion conference and exhibition in the Southern Hemisphere, Corrosion
& Prevention 2018 was recently held in Adelaide. More than 500 delegates attended the
conference from a broad range of industries including protective coatings, water, defence,
building and construction, mining, oil & gas, cathodic protection, power and more. Attendees
from Australia and all over the world attended the lectures, seminars and workshops.
Corrosion continues to have a major economic The PF Thompson Lecture, was delivered by
impact on industry and the wider community: it Professor Brian Kinsella, Deputy Director Applied
is estimated that governments and organisations Corrosion Research and Testing, Curtin Corrosion
spend approximately three percent of GDP – the Engineering Industry Centre at Curtin University. The
equivalent of billions of dollars each year – mitigating presentation detailed how to address several critical
and repairing corrosion damage. issues on the mechanism of CO 2 corrosion and its
inhibition. The PF Thompson Lecture commemorates
the work of corrosion science pioneer, PF Thompson,
and has been delivered every year at the ACA’s annual
conference since 1951.
Corrosion and Protection 2018 provided the ultimate
venue for corrosion stakeholders to meet and
discuss a wide range of topics. The diverse technical
streams showcased the latest developments in
corrosion prevention, management and mitigation.
The event also featured a trade exhibition with more
than 60 exhibitors showcasing the latest products
The trade exhibition featured more than 60 exhibitors showcasing the latest
products and services. and services. The range of exhibitors included
materials suppliers, equipment vendors, specialist
The first plenary was presented by Miles Buckhurst,
Global Concept Director, Jotun and was titled ‘The contractors and consultants. The exhibition provided
a valuable opportunity for corrosion professionals,
Circular Economy from Paint Manufacturer’s Point of interested parties and the general public to meet
View’. The circular economy is a philosophy to help with the exhibitors. There was also a learning centre
reduce the impact on the environment whilst still for exhibitors to showcase a product and give those
managing to carry on our full and demanding lives interested the chance to ask questions and be hands
with little compromise. Miles explained that in the on over the lunch break period.
modern world, we have got used to considering the
environment around us and most people would wish As part of the conference, there was an Applicator
to do all we can to protect it. The circular economy is a Trade Day that was presented by the ACA and
way of thinking and behaving that will ultimately allow BlastOne International. Attendees were able to visit
industry and us all to continue our lives and businesses the BlastOne site and experience demonstrating
in a positive way, reducing and eventually eliminating mist and vapour blasting equipment, traditional
our impact on the environment we live in. It is not blasting equipment, spray equipment, dust collector
simply saying ‘stop’ but even providing jobs, profit and and vacuload and interceptor training.
a long term future in all aspects of business including
oil, gas and chemical sectors and well beyond. “There was a great response to the free trade
exhibition with over 140 people attending. The
The focus of the conference was the safe and Learning Centre, Applicators Forum and BlastOne
effective management of the continuing challenge site visit, were all well attended and provided the
posed by corrosion. It has been estimated that opportunity for participants to experience the
industries and governments spend billions of dollars products first-hand and ask questions about their
every year on corrosion mitigation and repair, making own specific application challenges,” explained
it vital that the latest technologies and practices are Tracey Winn, Marketing and Communications
applied to managing this insidious threat. Manager at the ACA.

About the Australasian Corrosion Association
The ACA is a not-for-profit, membership of training courses, seminars, conferences,
association, that disseminates information on publications and other activities. n
corrosion and its prevention through the provision www.corrosion.com.au

18 Journal of Surface Coatings Australia • February 2019