Total Corrosion Protection for Critical Infrastructure
UNICO's comprehensive anti-corrosive coating range is engineered for the most demanding industrial environments — from oil & gas pipelines and offshore platforms to bridges, transmission towers, power stations, and heavy manufacturing facilities. Our multi-layer system approach covers every corrosion category, from light industrial to extreme offshore marine exposure.
Formulated with high-performance resins — epoxy, polyurethane, alkyd, zinc-rich, and silicone — our systems provide barrier, inhibitive, and cathodic protection mechanisms, ensuring structures outlast their design life even in harsh marine and industrial atmospheres.
- Zinc-Rich Primers
- Epoxy MIO
- Polyurethane Topcoats
- Coal Tar Epoxy
- Solvent-Free Epoxy
- Silicone Alkyd
- Inorganic Zinc
- Two-Pack Systems
Understanding Corrosion & Protection
A closer look at how corrosion attacks steel, how UNICO's coating systems stop it, and the science behind our flagship NICO Zinc Rich range. Tap any topic to read the full technical detail.
Paint and coating selection is a complete corrosion management system which protects a structure's materials against corrosion for its specified operating life. An effective corrosion management system requires careful inspection and selection of an ideal coating that meets all class and client specifications.
Coating systems may integrate several layers of different coating types — however, compatibility between the coats (layers) must always be ensured. The coating process involves the application of non-metallic coatings, metallic coatings, or a combination of both on the steel surface. Metallic coatings are generally composed of non-ferrous metals — commonly zinc, aluminum, and their alloys — which are far more resistant to corrosion than carbon steel.
Corrosion, in its simplest definition, is the process of a metal returning to the material's neutral thermodynamic state. For most materials this means the formation of oxides or sulfides — the very compounds they originated from before being refined into useful engineering materials.
Most commonly used metals are unstable in the atmosphere. Produced by reducing ores artificially, they tend to revert to their original state, or to similar metallic compounds, when exposed to the atmosphere. These changes are electrochemical reactions that follow the laws of thermodynamics — the corrosion rate is affected by ion concentration, and this explains why some reactions are reversible or controllable while others are not.
Corrosion in aqueous solutions is the most common of all corrosion processes. Water, seawater, and various industrial process streams provide an aqueous medium — as does moisture in the atmosphere and water in the soil. Water is seldom present in pure form; various salts and gases remain dissolved in it, and their dissociation renders the water somewhat conducting, so it acts as an electrolyte.
The transfer of electrons takes place on the surface of the metal. Locations where electrons are given up are called anodes; sites where electrons are absorbed are called cathodes. A difference in electrical potential exists between these two areas, and a complete electrical circuit develops. Negatively charged electrons flow from anode to cathode, while positively charged hydrogen ions in the solution move toward the cathode to complete the circuit — the faster the dissolution of the metal, the higher the rate of corrosion.
An ideal coating protects steel structures against corrosion through both galvanic action and a physical barrier. Metallic coatings additionally protect steel sacrificially at damaged areas or small pores within the coating.
Quality control of a coating application includes the following steps:
- Surface preparation
- Coating material selection and its application procedures
- Environmental conditions during working procedures
- Supervision and certification of the procedures implemented during coating application
Our Anti-Corrosive Coating Systems
A complete range of coal tar epoxy, zinc-rich, red lead, and aluminum coating systems for steel structures, tanks, and marine applications.
NICO Zinc Rich Coating
Featured SystemOur flagship galvanic protection primer — 96% pure zinc powder providing sacrificial cold-galvanizing protection for steel structures. Tap to view full technical details.
Coal Tar Epoxy
A high-build two-pack coal tar epoxy coating — hard wearing and abrasion resistant, with excellent resistance to immersion in salt and fresh water as well as crude oil. Applied at dry film thicknesses between 120–400 microns in one coat, for ship bottoms, cargo and ballast tanks, jetties, submerged or splash zone structures, and buried or exposed pipelines. May also be used on suitably prepared concrete substrates.
Epoxy Top Coat Paints
High performance coatings for long-term corrosion protection of valuable ferrous and non-ferrous surfaces — ideal for civil works, construction, and lining systems for water, chemical, and fuel storage tanks. Excellent resistance against mild acids, alkalis, and oil-based solvents; suitable for aluminum, galvanizing, steelwork, concrete, GRP, and phenolic sheets. Available in a range of gloss levels and RAL colors.
Epoxy High Build Zinc Phosphate Primer
NE ZPA heavy duty primer ideal for applications requiring an extraordinarily high level of anticorrosive & chemical resistant properties — designed for storage tanks, marine applications, cement, refinery, textile, sugar, paper mills, food & beverage, power plants, and oil fields. Normally over-coated with an epoxy or polyurethane finish.
NICO Hi Build ROZN Primer for Super Structures
NE 101026 ROA heavy duty primer ideal for applications requiring an extraordinarily high level of anticorrosive & chemical resistant properties — designed for storage tanks, marine applications, cement, refinery, textile, sugar, paper mills, food & beverage, power plants, and oil fields. Normally over-coated with an epoxy or polyurethane finish.
Synthetic Red Lead Primer Genuine
A high grade rust preventive primer mainly formulated for protecting steel structures. Quick drying, and gives good protection for longer periods even without subsequent coats.
NICO Zinc Chromate Primer
A high grade readily mixed anticorrosive primer for all steel surfaces exposed to atmosphere or submerged in water — boats, ship hulls, bridges, cranes, gas canisters, engines and tankers. Can also be applied on galvanised iron and aluminum.
NICO Zinc Phosphate Primer
A high grade readily mixed anticorrosive primer for all steel surfaces exposed to atmosphere or submerged in water — boats, ship hulls, bridges, cranes, gas canisters, engines and tankers. Can also be applied on galvanised iron and aluminum.
NICO Aluminum Paint
Gives a bright lustrous appearance, ideal for use on machinery, metal, and wood surfaces where a good heat resistant aluminum finish is required.
Corrosion Protection Categories
UNICO provides complete coating systems for every corrosivity category — from controlled interior environments to the harshest offshore marine conditions.
Very Low
Dry atmosphere with negligible pollution. Offices, schools, shops, hotels. Standard alkyd or acrylic systems.
Low
Unheated buildings, sports halls, storage. Low humidity with infrequent condensation. Alkyd primer + topcoat systems.
Medium
Production facilities, food processing, coastal areas with low salinity. Zinc primer + epoxy + polyurethane systems.
High
Chemical plants, swimming pools, shipyards, coastal areas. High-build epoxy + inorganic zinc + PU topcoat systems.
Very High – Marine
Offshore oil platforms, ships, port structures. Extreme salt, moisture, and UV. Coal tar epoxy, solvent-free epoxy & zinc systems.
Why UNICO Anti-Corrosive Systems?
Proven performance across Pakistan's infrastructure, energy, and heavy industry sectors — backed by decades of formulation expertise.
Long-Term Protection
Multi-layer system design delivers 10–25+ years of reliable corrosion protection, dramatically reducing maintenance costs over asset life.
Internationally Tested
All systems formulated, tested, and validated against internationally recognized coating standards. Full documentation for specification compliance and project approval.
Multi-Layer Systems
Complete system approach — primer, intermediate coat, and topcoat — engineered to work synergistically for maximum barrier and inhibitive performance.
Marine Grade Available
Specialized C5-M systems for offshore platforms, port structures, and coastal assets. Formulated to withstand continuous salt spray and tidal immersion.
Cost-Effective
Locally manufactured to international standards. Competitive system pricing with full technical support eliminates the premium of imported alternatives.
Custom RAL Colors
Full RAL and custom color matching available on all topcoat systems. Functional protection delivered in the exact color your project requires.
System Performance Data
Expected service life for UNICO anti-corrosive coating systems across corrosivity categories.
| System Type | Corrosion Category | Expected Life |
|---|---|---|
| Zinc Primer + Epoxy + PU | C3–C4 | 15+ Years |
| Inorganic Zinc + Epoxy MIO | C4–C5 | 20+ Years |
| Coal Tar Epoxy System | C5-M | 25+ Years |
| Zinc Rich Primer + Alkyd | C2–C3 | 10+ Years |
| Solvent-Free Epoxy | C4–C5-M | 20+ Years |
| Two-Pack PU System | C3–C4 | 12+ Years |
Protect Your Infrastructure with UNICO
Our corrosion protection specialists provide complete system recommendations for your specific environment and budget — from initial survey to full application support.
