Training Updates

ICorr Training:

Future Training Courses at Northampton

Please be advised that our next MIC Training Courses will take place on the following dates at our ICorr Northampton headquarters: The Spring course will run as follows:

Our course Tutor – Tony Y. Rizk, PhD will be pleased to answer any queries you may have related to course syllabus and may be contacted via; ETGBchair@icorr.org

Corrodere Academy Launch New 
Powder Coating – Applicator Course

ICorr Training:

Powder coating is a type of coating that is applied as a dry, fine powder to produce high-quality and durable finishes. Unlike conventional liquid coatings and paints, which are typically applied via a brush or roller, powder coatings are applied as a free-flowing powder that streams smoothly and evenly.

This application can either be conducted through electrostatic spraying or a fluidised bed dipping process, followed by a necessary heat (or UV) curing process.

Since their early development in the 1940’s, powder coatings have come to take large swathes of the protective coatings industry by storm. Today, they enjoy a dominant position in a range of markets (including architectural, industrial and transport), and this dominance is only predicted to intensify. Indeed, whilst the current global powder coatings market stands at a significant $15.2 billion in 2024, this is projected to grow by a whopping $9 billion to reach $24.26 billion in a mere eight years’ time (Chemicals & Materials Industry – Fortune Business Insights).

The soaring popularity of powder coatings can be attributed to their many advantages over alternative protective coating materials. Firstly – and perhaps most importantly, given our ongoing climate crisis – powder coatings are significantly more sustainable than their traditional liquid counterparts. 
This is in large part due to their exceptionally low (or often 
non-existent) Volatile Organic Content (VOC), eliminating the health hazards and air pollution associated with solvent emissions. Additionally, the limited overspray powder produced in the application process can be recycled and reused, ensuring minimal waste.

Powder coatings are often more economical options than their liquid counterparts. Whilst initial set-up costs can be high, their transfer efficiency is streaks ahead of traditional liquid paint methods, reaching an impressive 95% when applied using the fluidised bed technique. Furthermore, the equipment used for powder coating requires relatively minimal maintenance, making it more convenient and cost-effective.

Remarkably, the huge environmental and economic benefits powder coatings incur do not lead to diminished performance. In fact, many powder coatings – when applied as a single layer and cured by heat – provide comparably exceptional durability, chemical resistance, toughness and flexibility. Taking all this into account, it appears evident that powder coatings constitute the future of the protective coatings industry.

It is in this context that Corrodere Academy is proud to announce its new Powder Coatings application course. Expertly crafted, engaging, and informative, the course is designed to ensure high-quality training is available within the industry – an availability that is essential as the powder coatings market continues to boom. Following the course’s launch, we sat down with Brendan Fitzsimons – Corrodere’s Technical Director and leading industry expert – to hear his thoughts.

1. What Motivated Corrodere to Design the Powder Coatings Course?

Our primary goal is to address the rapidly growing demand within the industry, driven in large part by increasing sustainability concerns. As the industry expands, more and more manufacturers are looking to bring powder coating capabilities in-house. However, the surge in demand has outpaced the availability of skilled professionals. Many companies have invested in powder coating units but find themselves without the trained staff necessary to operate them effectively. This is where we step in, providing the high-quality training needed to equip these companies with the expertise required.

2. Who is This Course Targeted At?

This course is primarily targeted at powder coating applicators and associated workers involved in the powder coating process. Our training is designed to be highly practical and hands-on, focusing on the real-world skills needed on the job rather than delving too deeply into technical or scientific theory. The theoretical components of the course are digestible, ensuring applicators gain the necessary knowledge without being overwhelmed by complex concepts.

The course will also be helpful for powder coating technical and sales staff from powder suppliers and equipment suppliers.

While the applicators are the primary recipients of this training, it’s essential for companies to recognise that powder coating is a team-driven process. From pre-cleaning to application, each step requires careful coordination and expertise. Therefore, it’s crucial for companies to invest in training across the entire team, ensuring that every stage of the process is executed with precision – a need our course is designed to fulfil.

3. Why Should Industry Professionals Take the Powder Coatings Course?

As the powder coatings market continues to boom, skilled application of powder coatings is an increasingly vital proficiency for anyone in the industry. Corrodere’s course ensures that students fully understand the many stages and intricacies of the powder coatings process, verifying their competence to carry out this high-skilled work effectively 
and safely.

For employers, offering the course to staff defends against potential costly coating failures by ensuring application is done correctly, first-time around. Investing in training is also a way to boost job satisfaction (and, by extension, job performance), ensuring employees know they are rightly perceived as an invaluable resource. Any registered Train the painter company that is engaged in powder coating application can – and should – deliver the course.

4. How Valued do You Foresee the Powder Coatings Course Being by the Industry at Large?

Ultimately, we foresee our powder coatings course becoming an industry norm. The benefits of the course are simply innumerable for applicators, companies and clients alike. Applicators benefit from verifiable expertise and enhanced confidence in their work; companies benefit from well-trained staff and an elevated reputation as a consequence of staff investment; clients benefit from knowing they are enlisting highly qualified trade personnel. Indeed, the failure of powder coatings can be costly – Corrodere’s course (the only one of its kind) ensures that rather than relying on reputation, companies and clients alike can trust their powder coating Applicators to have certifiable, accredited skills and expertise.

5. Who Endorses the Course?

We’re delighted to say that the British Coating Federation (BCF) has endorsed the programme. Their endorsement highlights the high-quality and necessity of the course, and we’re excited to be working with them.

The Powder Coating Application course is available globally through the Corrodere Academy’s Train the Painter programme. To find out more, please get in touch with the team at.

Contact:   Email: lucy@corrodere.com     Tel: +44 (0) 1252 732 236

ICorr Training: The Important 
Role of our ICorr Tutors

ICorr Training:

This month we are profiling Tony Rizk, developer and tutor of ICorr MIC training course.

Tony Rizk
•  Chair of ICorr of new ETGB (Engineering Training Governing Board).

• PhD corrosion science.
• Fellow member of The Institute of Corrosion (FICorr).
• Developer and tutor of ICorr MIC training course.
• Trainer certification programme, Phases 1 and 2.

Tel: +44 7425 888 108
Email: tony.1.rizk@gmail.com

Tony holds a PhD degree in Corrosion Science from the University of Manchester. Has over 30 years of international experience in both research and field investigations. After graduation career started with CAPCIS Ltd, followed by 11.5 years as a Science Specialist at Saudi Aramco Research and Development Centre, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. Served as the company main contact point for microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) and led a number of technical committees, focus teams, and failure analyses. Honorary Reader at the University of Manchester between 2018 and 2021. Active member of the Institute of Corrosion (ICorr) and developed the only known certified MIC training course by a recognised professional organisation. Currently chairing ICorr Engineering Training Governing Board (ETGB).

Advocates the use of less toxic and environment friendly chemicals and led a number of classified JIPs and cross company projects. Directed the multi-phase research project to assess the effect of the non-toxic anti-SRB bio-competitive exclusion treatment and authored the reference document “The Effect of Nitrate Anti-Souring Treatment on Corrosion of Mild Steel” that was published by the Energy Institute, London, November 2006, ISBN 978 0 85293 458 6.

Career responsibilities involved the development of young engineers and scientists and the mentoring of employees’ postgraduate students. Qualified trainer with extensive experience both in-house (Saudi Aramco) and at various technical events in Europe and the Middle East.

ICorr Training: About TÜV Rheinland, ICorr and ARL Training Partner

ICorr Training:

TÜV Rheinland, founded in 1872, is a global leader in technical services, providing safe and sustainable solutions for the interaction between humans, the environment, and technology. Since 1996, they have offered training and personnel certification in China, being Europe’s largest independent education institute.

TÜV Rheinland Industrial Services Greater China, comprising world-leading experts, delivers technical inspection, testing, and certification for the oil, gas, chemical, petrochemical, energy, power, construction, and process industries worldwide. Their comprehensive services ensure products and equipment meet market requirements, supporting local industries in developing safely and sustainably.

History with ICorr

In collaboration with Argyll Ruane, TÜV Rheinland has successfully introduced ICorr training to China, becoming the sole ICorr training provider in the country in 2018. On-site training can be conducted in coastal cities such as Shanghai, Tianjin, Qingdao, Zhuhai, Qidong, and Zhoushan, where numerous international offshore FSPO and LNG projects are active.

In 2024, ICorr, TÜV Rheinland (China) Ltd., and Argyll Ruane (Sheffield, UK) celebrated 7 years’ collaboration, and have achieved the 1000th Certificates in China. In the same year, Protective Coating Inspector Training Level II and Level III have been delivered by TÜV Rheinland, where all ICorr surface treatment courses are available for the candidates in China by now.

Here is the training schedule in 2025 for information:

2025 Training Schedule:

TUV China Tutor (Tiger) – Jianjun Hu Teaching to LINK

Contact Details

Room 301, 3F and Room 1203, 12F,

Building C, CATIC Plaza,

No. 15, Ronghua South Road,

Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area, 
Beijing, China

Tel: +86 10 8524 2141

Fax: +86 10 8524 2200

Email: Jing.Fang@tuv.com