Metro Group Maritime

Coating to Cut Costs

Innovative Energy Solutions, LLC (IES) announces energy efficient coating for the transportation industry.

In Phoenix, Arizona, a reefer unit bakes in the mid-day sun while its contents are untouched by the heat. Refrigerated reefers are not new to the industry, but this reefer is being refrigerated for 25% less fuel than in years before.

Located in Franklin, North Carolina, Innovative Energy Solutions, LLC offers a coating that refracts/dissipates a substantial amount of the suns rays which reduces the transfer of heat to the interior of the unit thus reducing the energy required to maintain the desired interior temperature. The more energy refracted, the less energy needed to cool the units.

As diesel and gas prices continue to climb, a need for a more energy efficient approach to cooling refrigerated reefers is apparent. Innovative Energy Solutions, LCC saw this as an opportunity, “We saw that the cost of energy in general had begun to steadily increase and that very soon the projected cost could have a significant effect/impact on our ability as a nation to be competitive in the world economy. We also became sensitive to the fact that national awareness of rising energy costs was increasing. Yet, we seemed very far from the idea of doing much about it. We thought we would all be better off if we did do something which would make a difference. We did”, announces IES Senior Vice President Rick Jones.

This thermal barrier transportation coating refracts an average of 85% of the sun’s energy. What’s in this coating that makes it so magical? Engineers working with IES found a way to suspend ceramic micro-bead technology in high grade paint. The ceramic micro-bead technology is similar to the tiles on the outside of space shuttles.

The technology not only refracts/dissipates the suns rays, but by virtue of the ceramic technology used, much of any heat that might accumulate is dissipated.“the net effect is not only a significantly cooler interior temperature but also a significantly reduced ‘urban heat island effect’- in other words, a cooler surrounding area” states Jones.

IES Managing Partner Tom Samuels believes that this is “The right product at the right time,” he adds, “We’re going through a transition in the economy…companies are looking for innovative solutions that can effectively reduce costs over time". Samuels is confident that this product is going to save real dollar amounts.

When the coating was tested up against reefer units with traditional paint, the energy saved is hard to deny. In a test done in Dallas, the 36ft coated trailer ran the compressor 3.9 hours less per week and used 6.5 less gallons of fuel than the trailer with traditional paint. Tests in Phoenix, Arizona revealed a 25% fuel efficiency gain and Las Vegas Nevada saw a 16% increase. In other words, a little ceramic-technology-filled-paint goes a long way.

In addition to being energy efficient, testing shows that the coating is exceedingly durable. In a controlled ASTM Salt Spray Test, a container exposed to salt fog failed in 56 hours while the container with the IES coating was exposed for three weeks unharmed. The coating is completely water proof and provides a barrier that prevents infiltration of moisture thus preventing rust and deterioration of the unit. This reduces maintenance and replacement costs which further reduces short term as well as long term costs.

There isn’t a "standard " price for this coating, but rather each client is quoted a price specific to the amount of work they need done. IES applies the coating themselves by spraying and rolling the coating onto the surface of the reefer. Although they do occasionally hire locals to apply the coating, they still provide a supervisor and an inspection process to guarantee it will work the way they claim.

The warranty that IES provides, also contributes to why they apply the coating themselves. Rick Jones of IES brags "We have the best warranty in the industry; some of our warranties extend up to 20 years depending on location and condition of unit being coated".

IES “Totally environmentally friendly” notes Rick Jones of IES. The coating is specially formulated to have zero Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). The product even qualifies for points from LEED, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, which is a third party green building certification program.

When IES isn’t cutting energy bills for the transportation company, they’re busy coating practically everything around them with their thermal products, “These products have evolved such that they can be applied to metal, wood, concrete stucco and a wide range of surfaces and significantly reduce heat transfer while offering a significant reduction in energy costs, not to mention the reduction in machinery maintenance costs and replacement cycle costs. A true win win.” Samuels has even applied the coating to his home.

Although IES is located in the United States, they have begun to expand internationally, specifically in warmer climates like the Middle East, North Africa, and South America. The more sun, the more the coating can have an effect on the amount of energy a company is using to keep reefer unites cool. Exterior walls of warehousing structures, offices and other structures that use costly energy are also excellent candidates for this product.

IES recently announced the release of BioShield. “A revolutionary and absolutely necessary product. We are truly excited about Bio-Shield. Bio-Shield is an interior coating which contains an FDA approved formulation that when properly applied provides an inhospitable environment for the growth of molds, mildews and other disease causing pathogens such as MRSA and Staph” states Jones. Created mainly to be used in hospitals, IES sees it having an impact aboard container ships as well, Jones continues, “We have also adapted this product for use in schools and universities for locker rooms and gyms as well as food facilities. The possibilities are endless.” IES hopes to see this product used in ships infirmaries, kitchens, and shower rooms to actually kill diseases such as Staph and pneumonia, not to mention significantly reduce mold, mildew, etc.