In just two years, Sigma Qatar has become a trusted player in its field. Established in 2001 as a joint venture between Sigma Paints Saudi Arabia Ltd and a local partner, Sigma Paints commenced operations with office facilities in Doha and a distribution centre in Salwa Industrial area.

Although initially set-up to supply decorative paints, Sigma's protective coatings soon proved to be stronger than anticipated with growing demand from the oil and gas industries.

 Today Sigma Qatar's sales and market share of protective coatings have grown year-on-year as a result of increased investment in Qatar's oil and gas industry combined with strong customer relationships.

Sigma Paints Qatar is part of the SigmaKalon group, one of the world's leading paint companies with manufacturing facilities in over 46 countries worldwide.
"Over many years Sigma has built a reputation not merely for selling state-of-the-art coatings but as a partner working with operators to solve their corrosion problems.  Today Sigma Paints are specified for and used on a large number of pipelines, offshore platforms, cranes and oil terminals, where high quality coatings are required," a company spokesman says.

The spokesman stresses that ongoing technical development in the offshore sector is of great importance for the development of products and competence at Sigma. Emphasis is placed on close co-operation with the user to provide solutions and develop, where necessary, new products to meet specific industrial needs, particularly in the oil and gas sectors.

"Saltwater, high temperature, mechanical stress and strain, continuous and powerful wave action - all of these are conditions offshore coatings must withstand. Therefore before being generally available, Sigma subject their products to intensive field testing to ensure they meet the specific working conditions and performance for which they are formulated," he says.

"Anywhere in the world Sigma have highly skilled technical supervisors, who can work closely with the operators, client and contractors to specify products and advise the customer on combating corrosion issues. This consolidates our commitment to the oil and gas sectors in providing quality products and solutions that work with professional customer back-up."

The increasing environmental awareness and concern throughout the world has also had an affect on the choice of coatings for offshore construction and service, the spokesman says.
"Product quality along with health and safety factors is considered together with aspects of total maintenance economy when specifying coatings. Coatings with high-volume solids, which are less harmful to health and the environment - are the preferred choice."
To meet stringent environmental protection regulations, Sigma has made considerable investment in both development and production of a selection of environment-friendly coatings, which can withstand offshore conditions. For example:

These coatings offer high solids and solvent-free characteristics, ensuring operator and environment-friendly applications.
"In brief we have solutions to meet the coating requirements of modern industries and our products are delivered around the world, from modern factories and service facilities located in over 70 different countries worldwide. Four production sites in the Middle East region along with service centres in all the major cities are ready to satisfy our customer needs," the Sigma spokesman assures.

Sigma's Qatar office provides advice on coatings and services for Qatar parties. The office also offers to carry out site surveys. Following assessment of the operating conditions, it promises to arrange a suitable specification to meet the client's requirements.