Sherwin-Williams recognized for its industrial thermal insulative coatings system
Last update on Jan 2, 2026
Building on the success of its award-winning Heat-Flex® CUI-mitigation coatings, Sherwin-Williams Protective & Marine earned two notable energy industry awards for its innovative, next-generation industrial thermal insulative system Heat-Flex® Advanced Energy Barrier (AEB). This revolutionary thermal insulative system not only offers excellent thermal efficiency but also eliminates the costly and dangerous phenomenon of corrosion under insulation (CUI). The honors for Heat-Flex® AEB include a 2025 Gulf Energy Information Excellence Award for Best Coating/Corrosion Advancement Technology and a 2025 Vaaler Award from Chemical Processing.
Eliminating potential for CUI to form
Gulf Energy announced its award winners during an October 16, 2025, gala in Houston, Texas. Chemical Processing announced its winners on November 10, 2025. The Sherwin-Williams Heat-Flex® CUI-mitigation coatings previously earned a 2023 Vaaler Award and a 2025 MP Corrosion Innovation of the Year Award from Materials Performance.
“We engineered Heat-Flex® AEB to replace the bulky mineral-based insulation that’s traditionally used on storage tanks, process vessels, valves, fittings and piping to retain process heat. This replacement thereby removes the corrosion zone between traditional insulation and the substrate, eliminating the potential for CUI to form by default. Winning two big industry awards for the technology is a testament to the system’s ability to reduce costs associated with corrosion, improve carbon footprints and enhance efficiencies for operators in the energy industry,” said Neil Wilds, global product director, CUI/Testing, Sherwin-Williams Protective & Marine.
The Gulf Energy Information Excellence Awards recognize the energy industry’s leading innovations and thought leaders. This year’s program featured a record number of more than 500 nominations for solutions and talent that shape the global oil and gas industry. These innovations help operators “find, produce, transport and process hydrocarbons more safely, economically, efficiently and sustainably,” per Gulf Energy.
The Vaaler Awards recognize products and services that dramatically improve the operations and economics of chemical processing plants. The awards honor the legacy of John C. Vaaler (1899-1963), who served as chairman of Chemical Processing’s Editorial Board from 1961 until his death and as editor-in-chief beginning in 1946. The biennial program evaluates entries based on three critical criteria: the significance of contribution to chemical plant operations, novelty or uniqueness of the innovation, and breadth of application across the industry.
By eliminating insulation and the threat of CUI, Heat-Flex® AEB offers a solution that is less resource intensive than traditional insulating production systems. In addition, because Heat-Flex® AEB rivals the thermal retention capabilities of those traditional mineral-based insulation systems, it offers a more sustainable approach to insulating assets, providing a highly efficient solution for maintaining optimal operating temperatures. It also maintains consistent thermal efficiency, even in extreme environments.
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Minimizes moisture absorption with closed-cell film structure
Heat-Flex® AEB works by building a thick film of highly insulative material onto assets required to maintain operating temperatures up to 350°F (177°C), with excursions to 400°F (204°C). The thermal insulative system retains process heat inside the applied assets, allowing them to continue operating even in extreme environments. It also reduces burn risk for employees working in close proximity to hot assets.
The thermal insulative system rivals the in-service thermal performance of traditional mineral-based insulation systems due to their tendency to absorb and trap moisture that infiltrates their exterior cladding. This moisture dramatically reduces the insulating capacity of the insulation - with losses of up to 85% of its R-value when 10% water by volume is present in the mineral wool - and contributes to the acceleration of CUI. Heat-Flex® AEB doesn’t face the same issues, as its closed-cell film structure minimizes moisture absorption. Therefore, it maintains thermal consistency and will remain at that same level of insulating capacity throughout its service life.
“The Vaaler Awards celebrate the spirit of innovation that drives our industry forward. Companies like Sherwin-Williams exemplify the commitment to excellence and continuous improvement that John Vaaler championed throughout his career. Their Heat-Flex® AEB thermal insulative system represents the kind of breakthrough thinking that not only solves today’s operational challenges but also sets new standards for safety, efficiency and sustainability in chemical processing. We’re proud to recognize innovations that make a tangible difference in plant operations and the broader industry,” said Traci Purdum, editor-in-chief of Chemical Processing.