The annual cost of corrosion is over 3% of the world’s GDP, representing $2.2 trillion in U.S. dollars, according to the World Corrosion Organization. Economic sectors from oil and gas, infrastructure, utilities, and transportation to production, manufacturing, and government are at risk of corrosion globally. The large amounts of carbon steel exposed to atmospheric conditions or harsh processes can be particularly susceptible.
At risk are a variety of industrial facilities with structures constructed of carbon steel, from oil and natural gas tank farms, pipelines and processing equipment to wastewater treatment plants. The challenge with carbon steel is that as soon as it is made it begins to corrode.