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Now is the time for unified, performance-based corrosion protection standards in offshore wind, says Sherwin-Williams

Sherwin-Williams, a world leader in paints and coatings, is calling for collective action to develop a tailored, international corrosion protection standard for offshore wind installations. Without it, the company says, innovation will continue to be stifled by outdated guidelines and inconsistent practices.

Emerging efforts to develop a dedicated offshore wind corrosion protection standard, such as ISO/AWI 25249, offer a vital opportunity to secure the long-term reliability, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability of the sector. It is an opportunity that cannot, and should not, be missed.

How current standards fall short

From immersion in saltwater, strong currents, wave impacts, and oxygen-rich splash zones, offshore wind structures endure harsh and unforgiving conditions. But with no globally recognised standard guiding corrosion protection, wind turbine foundations are too often left vulnerable to premature degradation.

Historically, the industry has borrowed corrosion protection practices from the oil and gas sector. Yet these practices are ill-suited to the task. While oil & gas EP platforms are regularly maintained, offshore wind facilities are unmanned, exposed to far more dynamic marine conditions, and expected to operate with minimal maintenance for 30 years or more.

Early attempts to apply standards such as ISO 12944-9 (previously ISO 20340), and NORSOK M-501 provided a helpful starting point. But they were only ever designed for 15-year durability. As such, we are seeing coatings fail early, especially in high-risk areas such as the splash zone, resulting in the need for expensive, complex repairs.

Germany’s VGBE-S-021-03 standard (now on its 4th edition, issued 2023), introduced more performance-based testing, tailored to offshore wind. However, its adoption has been largely regional, and some testing protocols are not compatible with modern, solvent-free coating systems.

Meanwhile, newer tools like ISO 24656:2022 that focus on cathodic protection design and classify coatings based on perceived field performance, were never intended as specification standards. As a result, misinterpretations have led some developers to favour outdated compositions over innovative technologies that could offer better long-term performance.

The Path Forward: Innovation through standardisation

The industry needs a smarter, unified framework: a performance-based, international standard specifically designed for offshore wind. Such a standard should:

  • Set clear durability benchmarks of 25 to 35+ years, to align with the realities of offshore wind operations;
  • Remove prescriptive compositional requirements in favour of real-world performance testing;
  • Incorporate practical testing protocols that reflect fabrication, application, and inspection conditions, rather than just laboratory simulations;
  • Promote sustainability, favouring low-carbon, solvent-free coatings that reduce reliance on cathodic protection and high-alloy steel;
  • Support global harmonisation, simplifying procurement, improving quality assurance, and reducing cost and time delays for fabricators.

ISO/AWI 25249 gives the industry an opportunity to unite around these principles.

Joao Azevedo, Energy Segment Director – EMEAI, Sherwin-Williams Protective and Marine Coatings, said: “The success of offshore wind as a long-term, low-carbon energy source depends on reliable, sustainable, and cost-effective corrosion protection. Without standardised guidelines tailored to offshore wind’s specific challenges, the sector risks undermining investor confidence, compromising safety, and inflating operational costs.

“We call on developers, fabricators, coating manufacturers, standards organisations, and policymakers to come together to drive the creation of a global corrosion protection standard that puts performance, practicality, and sustainability at its core. The future of offshore wind isn’t just about what we build. It is about how we protect it”, he continued.

For more information: http://protective.sherwin-williams.com/uk 

About Sherwin-Williams Protective & Marine

Sherwin-Williams Protective & Marine delivers world-class industry subject matter expertise, unparalleled technical and specification service, and unmatched regional commercial team support to our customers around the globe. Our broad portfolio of high-performance coatings and systems – including protective liquid and powder, fire protection and resinous flooring – excel at combating corrosion and help customers achieve smarter, time-tested asset protection. We serve a wide array of markets across our rapidly growing international distribution footprint, including Bridge & Highway, Energy, High Value Infrastructure, Manufacturing & Processing, Marine, Rail, Power and Water & Wastewater.

Press Contact

Emma Hulse

Morris Tate

emma@morristate.co.uk

+44 7801 869 938

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