(Pictured left to right): Laurens Oldenzeel, Head of Projects, Qlayers and Jim Collier, Operations Director, Denholm Industrial Services with a Qlayers mobile coatings robot.
Denholm Industrial Services secures partnership with Qlayers to deploy robotic coatings technology to major UK projects
Denholm Industrial Services, part of the Denholm Group, has formed a partnership with Qlayers to deploy its mobile coatings robots to projects in sectors including marine and tank storage.
Working in challenging environments, Denholm Industrial Services provides critical engineering support that enables the build and maintenance of power, infrastructure, and naval and commercial marine assets.
In partnership with Netherlands-based Qlayers, a leader in pioneering industrial coating application technologies, Denholm Industrial Services is investing in innovative solutions that deliver efficiencies to clients, enhance operative safety, improve project productivity and protect the environment.
Qlayers has developed advanced robotic systems for coating large industrial assets, including storage tanks and marine vessels. The company's unique technology, a patented spray shielding system, significantly mitigates overspray, reducing Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and microplastics emissions.
The technology also enhances efficiency and accelerates project timelines with the capability to apply multiple layers much faster than manual application. Further savings are achieved through the robots’ automated coating method, which notably reduces overspray, resulting in paint savings of up to 50 percent.
In addition, its precision application method ensures consistent coating thickness, and the ability to deliver precise feathering between rows. The robots also improve site safety, significantly mitigating fall risks by reducing operative working hours at heights by 85 percent.
As part of the partnership, Denholm Industrial Services has secured exclusive rights to deploy Qlayers’ technologies in the UK marine sector and is already deployed across the UK. The agreement will also enable Denholm Industrial Services to build its presence in the tank storage market.
Operative training took place following Denholm Industrial Services’ recent acquisition of a majority shareholding in Universal Coatings. The acquisition has created a new company, Denholm Universal, and advanced training for operatives delivering the first UK marine project utilising Qlayers’ robotic coating technology took place at its 11,500 sq metre blast and coating facility on Teesside.
Steve Hill, Managing Director, Denholm Industrial Services, said: “This partnership with Qlayers is an essential component of our strategy to evolve the business’ capabilities through technology-led solutions, while increasing the diverse skills and competencies of our experienced operatives.
“Qlayers’ technology is truly groundbreaking for our industry and will deliver efficiency and productivity gains, alongside environmental enhancements, which are vitally important.
“This is another demonstration, following our recent acquisition to create Denholm Universal, of our intentions to provide greater and more comprehensive support for UK sectors such as marine and tank storage. As well as now operating one of the largest coatings facilities in Britain, located on Teesside, we are also able to utilise innovative robotics coatings technology in the field.”
Josefien Groot, CEO, Qlayers, said: “We are proud to have partnered with Denholm Industrial Services. The company shares our vision to revolutionise our industry through the creation and application of innovative robotic technologies.
“Our robots represent a significant step forward in industrial coating technology and will add value to the contracts secured by Denholm Industrial Services. Having delivered a comprehensive advanced training programme for its operatives, we are confident that we will see a strong pipeline of applications for our technologies through Denholm Industrial Services.”
