Portsmouth based specialist powder coating applicator Tomburn has been awarded the prestigious QUALICOAT Seaside Accreditation. This milestone reinforces the company’s reputation for delivering industry-leading finishes and offers Tomburn customers even greater assurance of performance in the most demanding environments.

What is QUALICOAT Seaside Accreditation?

QUALICOAT’s Seaside class is an enhanced form of the standard QUALICOAT licence. It was introduced to address the specific challenges of coastal and highly corrosive environments – where salt, humidity and wind accelerate wear on architectural coatings.

The accreditation requires:

• A deeper pre-treatment stage, removing at least 2 g/m² of aluminium during the etching process (double the standard requirement).
• Submission of coated samples that must pass rigorous filiform corrosion tests in an independent laboratory.
• Ongoing process controls that guarantee consistency and reliability.

The result is a tougher, more resilient coating system that significantly reduces the risk of filiform corrosion – the thread-like blisters that can creep beneath the surface finish.

How Accreditation is achieved

Gaining Seaside status is not automatic, even for existing QUALICOAT licence holders. To achieve it, Tomburn had to prove that their processes consistently deliver the deeper level of aluminium removal required by the specification. This involved detailed process controls and monitoring across production to show repeatable results. Independent verification is also a key part of the accreditation, with coated samples needing to be submitted to the IFO laboratory, where they undergo demanding corrosion tests to confirm their durability. Only when both the process and the performance samples meet the stringent requirements can an applicator be awarded the Seaside Accreditation and use its mark as proof of compliance.

Why Seaside Accreditation matters

For Tomburn and our customers, the business benefits are clear:

• Superior protection in coastal locations – Coatings resist aggressive environmental conditions, extending the lifespan of aluminium facades, windows and doors near the sea.
• Confidence for specifiers – Architects and developers can specify Tomburn coatings knowing they meet the toughest corrosion standards.
• A competitive advantage – The Seaside logo sets Tomburn apart, positioning them as a trusted partner for premium projects.
• Future-proofing – As QUALICOAT continues to evolve, Seaside-class standards are increasingly being written into specifications. Tomburn is already ahead of the curve.
• Sustainability benefits – Longer-lasting finishes mean fewer replacements, aligning with environmental goals and reducing maintenance costs for building owners.

Another milestone in Tomburn’s commitment to quality

The award of Seaside Accreditation is another step in Tomburn’s journey of continuous improvement. It builds on the longstanding relationship within the QUALICOAT community – most recently highlighted by Chris Mansfield’s leadership as Chair of QUALICOAT and the advocacy at FIT Show 2025.

By achieving Seaside status, Tomburn demonstrates not just technical excellence but a clear commitment to giving customers coatings they can trust to perform – wherever they’re installed.