Exova’s Chris Fowler to lead NACE IMPACT study

Dr Chris Fowler, Global Corrosion Director of global testing group Exova, has been appointed by NACE International as European Co-ordinator and UK Executor of its multi-national IMPACT study into corrosion costs and preventative strategies.

The global cost of corrosion currently represents an average three percent of GDP in most developed countries. The IMPACT (International Measures of Prevention, Application, and Economics of Corrosion Technologies) study will be the most comprehensive ever carried out on the resulting direct and indirect costs. Utilising data from around the world, it will encompass the four major sectors of utilities, transportation, energy and infrastructure and industrial.

Dr Fowler’s role will be to encourage participation and gather data for analysis from throughout the UK and Europe. He will also lead a team that will correlate and assess UK-specific information. He says: “This is an important study that will verify and update the last US study in 2002 by involving the world’s largest economies and focusing on both the fiscal impact and the actions required to mitigate the risk posed by corrosion.

“The financial impact of global corrosion is estimated at US$ 2 trillion with reworking in the field representing anything from 10 to 100 times the original cost. The long-term answer has to lie with prevention rather than repair and replacements of assets. IMPACT’s outcome will provide data to inform forward plans, regulations and education that will enable companies to make decisions now on investment that will ultimately make a real difference in the future.”

Elaine Bowman, past president of NACE and IMPACT project manager, said: “Chris is one of the world’s foremost authorities on corrosion and we are delighted to have him on board as our advocate to lead the study in Europe. His experience, both as president of the NACE Institute and as Exova’s global corrosion head, will be invaluable in engaging with industry stakeholders and encouraging widespread involvement.”

Edited from source by Elizabeth Corner

Read the article online at: https://www.worldpipelines.com/business-news/20112014/exovas-chris-fowler-to-lead-nace-impact-study/