Sherwin-Williams Forms Security Coating Systems Business Unit
Cleveland, OH — The Sherwin-Williams Company has established a new business unit, Security Coating Systems, to develop and distribute novel coating technologies that provide detection, mitigation and protection to individuals and critical infrastructure from threats arising from accidental or intentional explosions. To enhance the development of this business, Sherwin-Williams Security Coating Systems business unit has entered into an equity ownership position and an exclusive worldwide distribution agreement with Life Shield Engineered Systems, LLC of Salisbury, MD.
Life Shield Engineered Systems, LLC develops and manufacturers patent pending Life Shield™ blast effect mitigating panel systems for buildings and vehicles. Certain aspects of Life Shield's technologies have been designated as Qualified Anti-Terrorism Technology and have been granted a Designation under the Support Anti-terrorism by Fostering Effective Technologies Act of 2002 (SAFETY Act) and the regulations adopted pursuant to the SAFETY Act. The Life Shield™ panel system technology is a result of a cooperative development effort by a consortium of companies led by The Sherwin-Williams Company and Life Shield Engineered Systems, LLC., which includes, among others, Teijin Twaron USA, Inc. and TechFab LLC.
Life Shield Engineered Systems, LLC and The Sherwin-Williams Company have conducted numerous blast tests with several United States government organizations and private testing firms to develop and verify the performance of the Life Shield™ panel systems. These tests have demonstrated the effectiveness of the Life Shield™ panel systems to mitigate the effects of a blast when installed on the inside of the exterior wall of a new or existing building. The Life Shield™ panel system meets or exceeds blast specifications required by the Department of State and the U.S. Government Service Administration (GSA) for government buildings
Additional tests have been conducted using Life Shield™ technology to mitigate the effects of roadside blasts from improvised explosive devices (IEDs) to protect vehicle occupants. The key advantage of this "hardening" approach is its light weight and ease of installation versus traditional metallic armament solutions, eliminating costs and weight problems while speeding installation.
Sherwin-Williams plans to commercialize these and other force protection related coatings products in worldwide applications where risk assessment has determined additional protection from accidental or intentional explosive threats is warranted. The Life Shield™ panel systems can be used in structures such as government and commercial public access buildings and high-risk industrial applications.
U.S. Rep. Wayne T. Gilchrest (R-MD) said of the Life Shield™ panel system technology, "This innovative technology offers great promise for securing any facility vulnerable to a terrorist attack. In this post-9/11 world, new technologies such as these will prove invaluable in our efforts to protect the lives of American citizens both at home and abroad and I applaud the consortium of leaders involved in the development of this product for their efforts."
For more information, http://sherwin-williams.com/protective
SOURCE: Sherwin-Williams