Heat-Flex® CUI-Mitigation Coatings Earn 2025 MP Corrosion Innovation of the Year Award

CLEVELAND (April 8, 2025) – Materials Performance (MP) magazine honored Sherwin-Williams Protective & Marine with a 2025 MP Corrosion Innovation of the Year Award for its Heat-Flex® CUI-mitigation coatings during the 2025 Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP) Annual Conference + Expo. Recognized by a panel of industry experts, the annual award spotlights cutting-edge technologies that significantly advance corrosion control and asset protection on a global scale.

MP chose 10 total winners from 60 submissions, a testament to Heat-Flex CUI-mitigation coatings – including flagship Heat-Flex® ACE (Advanced CUI Epoxy), an ultra-high-solids, solvent-free epoxy novolac with a broad dry film thickness range – which were singled out for their ability to slow or prevent damaging corrosion under insulation (CUI), extend service life and reduce operational downtime.

“CUI remains one of the most serious threats to productivity and safety in asset-intensive industries,” says Neil Wilds, Global Product Director of CUI and Testing, Sherwin-Williams Protective & Marine. “By delivering robust, long-term corrosion protection that lowers maintenance requirements, our Heat-Flex CUI-mitigation coatings help owners and operators save significant costs while enhancing reliability. We’re proud that Materials Performance has recognized the value and impact of these solutions.”

The Heat-Flex CUI-mitigation portfolio also includes Heat-Flex® 750, a high-solids alkylated amide epoxy loaded with micaceous iron oxide for mechanical durability; Heat-Flex® 1200 Plus, engineered for harsh environments up to 1200°F (650°C); and Heat-Flex® 650, an epoxy phenolic designed for applications up to 401°F (205°C) with enhanced crack resistance and UV stability.

AMPP Annual Conference + Expo Activities

Sherwin-Williams accepted the MP Corrosion Innovation of the Year Award on Monday, April 7, at a special ceremony at the 2025 AMPP Annual Conference + Expo in Nashville, Tennessee. Immediately following, the Company helped kick off the Exhibit Hall Grand Opening with the ribbon cutting ceremony.

Sherwin-Williams will maintain a prominent presence at the expo, hosting interactive demonstrations, sharing its latest product offerings and presenting technical sessions exploring solutions for critical corrosion challenges, including:

• Exhibit Booth: The Company will showcase its next-generation Global Core Portfolio, featuring Zinc Clad® 2500, Macropoxy® 2600, Macropoxy® 4600 and Acrolon® 7700, all adhering to stringent global standards. Attendees can explore the future of energy coatings with Heat-Flex® Advanced Energy Barrier (AEB) and the award-winning Heat-Flex CUI-mitigation coatings. In addition, the Company will highlight innovative infrastructure coatings such as Sher-Bar™ TEC and Sherplate™ 600.
  
  
• Industry Expert Presentations: Sherwin-Williams subject matter experts will share the following:
  • April 7
    • “Advances in the Application of Thermally Insulative Coatings” – Erik Dammen-Brower, Research Development Chemist, and Wilds
    • “Investigating Mechanical Properties of TICs Across a Range of Temperatures” – Jeremy Daum, R&D Senior Scientist
  • April 8, AMPPitheater Presentations
    • “Revolutionizing Industrial Insulation: The Launch of Heat-Flex Advanced Energy Barrier (AEB)” – Kristin Leonard, North America Marketing Director of Energy and Immediate Past Chair of AMPP, and Wilds
    • “Enhancing Project Success with a Next-Generation Global Portfolio: Global Availability, Local Value” – Sean Grady, Senior Global Product Director, and Wilds
  • April 9
    • “Failure to Flawless: Accelerating Quality with Electrochemistry” – Mallorie Boron, R&D Chemist, and Ryder James, R&D Chemist Associate
    • “Know Your Enemy: A True Reflection on Testing in Renewable Feedstocks” – Michael Harrison, Global Product Director for Linings
    • “Protecting your Asset: The Cooperation Between Cathodic Protection Systems and Pipeline Coatings” – Gino Sincovich, Global Market Segment Manager for Water & Utility Infrastructure
    • “Ensuring Lining Performance in a Developing Energy Market” – Harrison and Paula Donadio, Senior Research Development Chemist
    • “Water 2050 Sustainability: The Race to Net Zero Emissions Evaluating and Selecting Water Tank, Piping and Treatment Facility Coatings to Reduce Carbon Now” – Steve Roetter, Market Segment Manager for Water Infrastructure

• Department of Transportation Peer Forum Sponsorship (April 9): The Company is a breakfast sponsor and host for a Department of Transportation peer discussion.
  
  
• Equity in Math Education Research Grants (EMERG) Scholarship Support: As part of its commitment to supporting the future workforce, Sherwin-Williams sponsors scholarships through AMPP’s EMERG program, with awards presented at the EMERGing Leaders Bash on April 8.

“In addition to demonstrating our advanced CUI solutions, this year’s AMPP Annual Conference + Expo is the perfect venue to highlight our Global Core portfolio,” said Grady. “By standardizing formulations worldwide, we help specifiers and asset owners achieve consistent results – no matter where a project is located.”

About Sherwin-Williams Protective & Marine

Sherwin-Williams Protective & Marine delivers world-class industry subject matter expertise, unparalleled technical and specification service, and unmatched regional commercial team support to our customers around the globe. Our broad portfolio of high-performance coatings and systems – including protective liquid and powder, fire protection and resinous flooring – excel at combating corrosion and help customers achieve smarter, time-tested asset protection. We serve a wide array of markets across our rapidly growing international distribution footprint, including Bridge & Highway, Energy, High Value Infrastructure, Manufacturing & Processing, Marine, Rail, Power and Water & Wastewater.