Lankem Ceylon, Axalta Coating Systems strengthen partnership in high-performance industrial coatings

Axalta Coating Systems Business Director – Refinish and Industrial, South Asia and Value Line ASEAN Lokender Pal Singh (left) with Lankem Ceylon Managing Director Suren Goonewardene at the announcement of the expanded partnership to introduce advanced industrial coating technologies to Sri Lanka

Lankem Ceylon PLC, the authorised partner of Axalta Coating Systems in Sri Lanka, has announced the expansion of its collaboration with Axalta to strengthen access to high-performance industrial coating technologies in the country. The development follows the successful introduction of Axalta’s globally recognised automotive coating products to the Sri Lankan market.

Under the expanded partnership, Lankem will expand the availability of advanced industrial liquid, marine, and powder coating solutions tailored to meet the protection needs of key sectors including infrastructure, energy, agriculture, heavy equipment, rail, and steel structures.

The initiative aims to address the growing demand for durable coating systems that enhance operational life while reducing maintenance frequency and associated costs.

Axalta Coating Systems brings more than 150 years of coatings expertise and serves over 100,000 customers across 130 countries. Its high-performance coatings are engineered to prevent corrosion, enhance durability, and improve productivity across a wide range of industrial and infrastructure applications.

A key feature of these coating systems is their ability to be applied directly onto clean, firmly adherent rust. Through stabilising corrosion rather than merely covering it, the coatings reduce the need for extensive blast cleaning and surface preparation. This capability minimises downtime and allows critical infrastructure and industrial facilities to remain operational during maintenance activities.

Sri Lanka’s climatic conditions, characterised by high humidity, coastal exposure, and demanding industrial environments, accelerate corrosion and present ongoing challenges for infrastructure owners and operators. Axalta’s industrial coating technologies have been developed to perform in such aggressive environments and are used globally to protect steel structures, equipment, and assets where conventional coating systems may not deliver sustained performance.

Lankem Ceylon PLC Managing Director Suren Goonewardene said: “For infrastructure owners, value is defined by long-term performance. As Axalta’s authorised partner in Sri Lanka, Lankem is focused on delivering globally proven coating technologies that extend coating life, reduce maintenance frequency, and support more sustainable and cost-effective infrastructure development.”

Axalta Coating Systems Business Director – Refinish and Industrial, South Asia and Value Line ASEAN Lokender Pal Singh said: “Corrosion represents a major cost and reliability issue for infrastructure and industry in Sri Lanka. Through our partnership with Lankem, Axalta’s high-performance coatings are now available locally, offering durable protection solutions that perform even where access is limited, and traditional surface preparation methods are impractical.”

The expanded portfolio aligns with growing demand for industrial solutions that support longer asset life cycles and more efficient maintenance planning. The partnership aims to strengthen corrosion management strategies across key sectors of the Sri Lankan economy.