Corrosion remains a persistent challenge across New Zealand’s built environment, particularly for HVAC and heat exchange assets exposed to coastal air, high humidity, and industrial pollutants. For commercial and industrial projects, unmanaged corrosion can reduce efficiency, increase maintenance costs, and shorten equipment life.
Mark Weir, managing director of Blygold Oceania, says these conditions are well understood in the local market.
“Coastal air, humidity and industrial environments all contribute to accelerated corrosion, particularly across coils and heat exchange surfaces. If that is left untreated, performance drops away and maintenance requirements increase,” says Weir.
Blygold New Zealand applies “global corrosion-engineering expertise to local conditions,” with coating systems designed specifically for HVAC and heat transfer equipment.
“The aim is to protect vulnerable materials while maintaining thermal performance. You don’t want to solve one issue and create another.”
Aluminium and copper alloy coils used in air-cooled condensers and evaporators are particularly susceptible to pitting and galvanic corrosion. These materials are efficient for heat transfer, but they are also exposed. In coastal environments, salinity accelerates the process, while inland sites can introduce condensation and chemical exposure.
Blygold’s certified coating systems form a thin, uniform barrier across finned and microchannel heat exchangers.
“Application is critical. You need full coverage without restricting airflow or affecting pressure drop. Done correctly, it protects the asset without interfering with how the system operates.”
He adds that corrosion protection is increasingly being considered at the commissioning stage rather than as a retrofit.
“If you treat equipment early, you can extend service life, reduce unplanned maintenance and defer major capital replacement. It becomes part of the overall asset strategy.”
As construction continues to prioritise resilience, energy efficiency and whole-of-life performance, corrosion engineering is becoming a practical consideration.
“It’s about protecting performance over time, not reacting once degradation has already set in.”
Sponsored content: For more information phone 09 948 1560, email xavier@blygold.nz or visit www.blygold.co.nz.