BARCELONA, Spain — On Nov. 29, 2018, coatings manufacturer Hempel officially opened its new Centre of Excellence in Barcelona, Spain. The center's focus will be on the research and development of passive fire protection coating products, a market in which Hempel aims to gain share during the next few years.

As a global leader in the coatings industry, Hempel is committed to increase its range of passive fire protection (PFP) coatings, and the entire Centre of Excellence is dedicated to this field. The center is strategically located just outside Barcelona, as Hempel has a long and successful history in the region. The activities and results carried out at the center will have a global reach.

Starting on Dec. 1, 29 employees will be working at Hempel's new Centre of Excellence. They will form a strong technical organization, which consists of highly skilled technicians, applicators, fire testers and scientists.