New Technology From LINE-X Protective Coatings and Albemarle Corporation Wins Innovation Award

HUNTSVILLE, AL--Oct. 6, 2011: A new color stable aliphatic coating technology developed by LINE-X Protective Coatings and the Albemarle Corporation received the 2011 Innovation Award from the Center for the Polyurethanes Industry (CPI). The award highlights the role that innovation plays in the polyurethane industry by recognizing companies and individuals whose vision and perseverance bring new products, technologies and initiatives to the marketplace. LINE-X and Albemarle were one of three finalists at the Polyurethanes 2011 Technical Conference in Nashville, Tenn.

This new technology was recently used as a protective barrier on Dominator 1, a vehicle featured on the 2011 season of Discovery Channel's Storm Chasers. The coating utilizes LINE-X XS-650, a high performance spray elastomer with zero volatile organic compounds and superior UV protection. The formulation of LINE-X XS-650 is the product of 18 months of testing and is expected to be released for commercial application. "The continued success of LINE-X is due in large part to our groundbreaking research and development team," said Kevin Heronimus, LINE-X CEO. "LINE-X continues to be a pioneer in the spray-on protective coatings industry." LINE-X XS-650 incorporates Albemarle's ETHACURE 90, an aliphatic curative that greatly improves the processing capability of polyurea spray elastomer coating systems.

"We recognized the need for a coating with superior physical properties as well as UV stability in a thick film application," said Terry Pe, Director of Product Development. "The storm chaser vehicle was the perfect test subject for the extreme conditions, harsh environmental and physical effects that we want this product to handle."  

The Dominator 1, which is owned by TornadoVideos.net (TVN), demonstrated considerable resistance to storm damage during the 2011 storm season. "The protective coating was critical to the safety of the crew of Dominator 1 during a particularly dangerous storm season," said Reed Timmer TVN Lead Storm Chaser, Meteorologist. "The coating performed exceptionally well in the field, protecting the vehicle from damage even in storms with softball-sized hail."

The LINE-X XS-650 product will be on display at the Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association (SEMA) trade show, November 1-4 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV in booth #33124. The Storm Chaser team will also be on hand to talk about the Dominator 1, sign autographs and share storm stories. SEMA is the largest annual showcase of aftermarket automotive products in the country. LINE-X will highlight their latest innovations as well as unique and custom applications.

Discovery Channel's hit show Storm Chasers is a documentary series that follows the adventures of extreme meteorologists on the hunt to catch rare footage and data from the world's most violent tornados.  The 2011 season of Storm Chasers premiered on Sunday, September 25th and airs Sunday evenings at 10:00 pm e/p.

About LINE-X Protective Coatings

LINE-X Protective Coatings (www.LINE-X.com) is the nation's leading developer and provider of high performance protective coatings offering scientifically formulated polymers that permanently bond to a wide range of surfaces for unmatched durability. LINE-X products are utilized in automotive, commercial, light industrial, heavy industrial, agricultural, military, marine and custom applications. Headquartered in Huntsville, Alabama, with more than 500 locations in 46 countries, it is the goal of LINE-X to consistently produce the highest quality and most reliable materials available.