Umicore Coatings Services to accelerate high-value growth in gas detection

Umicore Coating Services, a leading supplier of high-performance precision optical filters, has reported heightened interest in its IR filter wheel products from safety and productivity solutions providers.

The UCS filter wheel is currently used across a range of gas detection products, all designed to offer optimum coverage, hazard mitigation, and life protection. Increased demand for gas detection equipment in the energy sector for applications such as emergency response, fracking, and leak detection, coupled with the need to protect workers from hazardous gases, is creating huge demand across a variety of sectors.

IR filters are globally used in a variety of applications to support the reduction of Green House Gases, with regulators around the globe deploying monitoring tools to call out oil and gas companies for methane leaks which are often underreported.

“The first step to solving a problem is recognising that one is present,” said Mark Naples, Managing Director of Umicore Coating Services. “It is impossible to put a maintenance plan in place if there is no awareness that maintenance is required.

“That, coupled with a lack of diagnosis of leaks in the power plant setting, particularly transformers and combustion turbines, continues to present a major headache. Fortunately, our precision IR optical filters are being put to good use by leading detection and analysis system manufacturers.

“We already supply to several leading companies in this space and have seen a notable increase in inquiries for IR coatings to complete optical filter wheel assemblies.”

The state-of-the-art Dundee-based operation, which operates an IR filter prototype design service, is well set to cater to the growing demand, having strengthened its R&D execution and invested in new equipment.

The global gas detection equipment market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 10.7% through 2028.