David Savastano, Contributing Editor05.21.25
Developing coatings for protecting against corrosion and harsh environments is a complex task, and it is essential for tankers. For Advanced Polymer Coatings (APC), developing superior coatings that provide corrosion protection is its lifeblood.
Advanced Polymer Coatings was officially founded in 1997, but its origins go back several decades through the entrepreneurial drive of its late founder, Don Keehan, and his wife, Arlene. Its journey began in the late 1960s with a focus on composite pumps — specialized equipment designed to handle corrosive fluids in industrial applications. These pumps were engineered to withstand harsh chemicals and extreme environments, laying the foundation for the Keehans’ deep understanding of polymer technology and material performance.
“As their business matured, Don and Arlene transitioned their focus in the late 1980s to form Advanced Polymer Sciences, Inc., a company dedicated to producing high-temperature polymers for use in aerospace and military applications,” Onur Yildirim, global marine manager for APC, noted. “This work pushed the boundaries of polymer chemistry and advanced their expertise in developing coatings that could perform in the most demanding conditions.”
In 1995, leveraging this advanced materials knowledge, the Keehans coated their first chemical tanker with MarineLINE®, which would become APC’s flagship product. Recognizing the significant market need for high-performance coatings in the marine industry, the Keehans shifted their focus entirely in 1997 and incorporated Advanced Polymer Coatings, where coatings became the sole mission of the company.
From its headquarters in Avon, OH, APC has since grown into a global leader in protective coatings. While marine coatings remain a core business, APC has a presence in other markets, particularly the rail industry, food and beverage, chemical processing, tank container, and industrial sectors that require high-performance coatings that withstand aggressive cleaning regimens, thermal cycling, harsh environments, and available coatings that also meet FDA standards.
The compmay is growing rapidly. APC president David Keehan said the company is about 80% complete on an extensive eight-figure renovation of its Avon, OH factory, almost doubling its size to 42,000 square feet. APC is also expanding its R&D facilities with an expanded laboratory and testing facilities, a pilot plant, and a new spray booth for product testing.
“This investment in our factory is the biggest in our company’s 27-year history,” David Keehan said in announcing the expansion. “We are seizing the baton from my late father, Don, inspired by his vision to ‘Give up the good to go for the great.’ We aim to use our new facility to catapult our market share in the marine cargo tank, rail, tank container, and other industrial segments year over year.”
Built on a legacy of innovation, technical excellence, and entrepreneurial vision, APC remains committed to solving its customers’ toughest challenges with high-performance coating solutions.
Meeting the Needs of Customers
Advanced Polymer Coatings’ customers are looking for critical characteristics from their marine coatings, which fits Advanced Polymer Coatings to a tee.
“In the chemical tanker business, the cargo tank is the vessel’s revenue center—every decision about it directly impacts commercial performance,” Yildirim observed. “Choosing the right coating isn’t just a technical matter; it’s a strategic investment. A versatile, high-performance tank lining enables operators to carry a wider range of cargoes, clean more efficiently, and switch between products with minimal downtime. This flexibility translates into longer charter contracts, fewer days off-hire, and ultimately, a stronger competitive position in a demanding market.”
Yildirim noted that MarineLINE was developed specifically to meet these complex demands.
“MarineLINE offers industry-leading chemical resistance, enabling the safe transport of thousands of aggressive and sensitive chemicals — including acids, solvents, and caustics — without risk of contamination or degradation,” Yildirim said. “This translates directly into enhanced cargo flexibility, allowing vessels to carry a wider variety of cargoes back-to-back, improving profitability and reducing idle time.
“Another key benefit is MarineLINE’s cleanability,” he added. “The ultra-smooth surface of the lining helps speed up tank cleaning operations, reducing the water, chemicals, and labor needed between cargoes. This not only cuts operational costs but also supports faster turnaround times in port — a significant advantage in today’s competitive shipping environment.”
In addition, Advanced Polymer Coatings provides a full suite of technical services to ensure success throughout the entire coating lifecycle. From surface preparation and application oversight during drydockings to ongoing global support through trained inspectors, Yildirim noted that APC acts as a true partner to its customers.
“By combining product performance with proactive service, Advanced Polymer Coatings delivers a marine coating solution that helps its customers stay ahead — operationally, environmentally, and financially,” Yildirim pointed out.
Yildirim observed that APC stands out through its product performance, technical depth, and people-centric approach.
“As a privately held, independent company, APC is agile and focused on long-term relationships,” he added. “Customers don’t just receive a coating — they gain access to global technical service teams, tailored support, and digital tools that make operations smoother and smarter. Additionally, APC's coatings are engineered for extended service life and application efficiency, reducing long-term maintenance costs and improving asset reliability.”
Yildirim reported that APC continues to see strong demand in the marine sector through its MarineLINE cargo tank coating.
“As chemical tanker fleets grow and shipowners seek coatings that maximize cargo versatility and minimize operational disruption, MarineLINE’s performance and track record make it a preferred solution,” said Yildirim. “Growth has also been fueled by geographic expansion, with increased activity in Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, supported by new sales and technical service personnel in these regions. MarineLINE currently holds 12% of the world’s chemical tanker fleet.”
Advanced Polymer Coatings doesn’t rest on its laurels; the company is always developing new advanced products, including TriFLEX™, its newest innovation, commercialized midway through 2024.
“TriFLEX is the first exterior coating produced by Advanced Polymer Coatings,” said Jake Valadez, APC’s global industrial manager. “As a new direct-to-metal (DTM) coating, TriFLEX harnesses Nobel Prize-winning technology to outclass the competition with its groundbreaking benefits.
“This advanced coating system uniquely combines three high-performance resin technologies, each designed to deliver critical benefits for rail applications,” he observed. “Its superior chemical resistance ensures maximum protection against harsh substances, safeguarding railcars in challenging environments. The enhanced mechanical toughness of TriFLEX provides industry-leading flexibility and impact resistance, enabling the coating to withstand physical wear and tear over time. The coating’s exceptional UV stability and weather resistance ensure long-term durability under extreme sunlight, moisture, and temperature fluctuations.
“By integrating these advanced features into a single, versatile coating, TriFLEX offers a long-overdue solution for the rail industry,” Valadez concluded. “Its application extends to various types of rolling stock, including hoppers, tank cars, and other railcars, ensuring comprehensive coverage and protection. With unparalleled durability, performance, and enhanced return-to-service properties, TriFLEX sets a new standard for railcar coatings, delivering lasting value and reliability for railcar owners and operators.”
Advanced Polymer Coatings was officially founded in 1997, but its origins go back several decades through the entrepreneurial drive of its late founder, Don Keehan, and his wife, Arlene. Its journey began in the late 1960s with a focus on composite pumps — specialized equipment designed to handle corrosive fluids in industrial applications. These pumps were engineered to withstand harsh chemicals and extreme environments, laying the foundation for the Keehans’ deep understanding of polymer technology and material performance.
“As their business matured, Don and Arlene transitioned their focus in the late 1980s to form Advanced Polymer Sciences, Inc., a company dedicated to producing high-temperature polymers for use in aerospace and military applications,” Onur Yildirim, global marine manager for APC, noted. “This work pushed the boundaries of polymer chemistry and advanced their expertise in developing coatings that could perform in the most demanding conditions.”
In 1995, leveraging this advanced materials knowledge, the Keehans coated their first chemical tanker with MarineLINE®, which would become APC’s flagship product. Recognizing the significant market need for high-performance coatings in the marine industry, the Keehans shifted their focus entirely in 1997 and incorporated Advanced Polymer Coatings, where coatings became the sole mission of the company.
From its headquarters in Avon, OH, APC has since grown into a global leader in protective coatings. While marine coatings remain a core business, APC has a presence in other markets, particularly the rail industry, food and beverage, chemical processing, tank container, and industrial sectors that require high-performance coatings that withstand aggressive cleaning regimens, thermal cycling, harsh environments, and available coatings that also meet FDA standards.
The compmay is growing rapidly. APC president David Keehan said the company is about 80% complete on an extensive eight-figure renovation of its Avon, OH factory, almost doubling its size to 42,000 square feet. APC is also expanding its R&D facilities with an expanded laboratory and testing facilities, a pilot plant, and a new spray booth for product testing.
“This investment in our factory is the biggest in our company’s 27-year history,” David Keehan said in announcing the expansion. “We are seizing the baton from my late father, Don, inspired by his vision to ‘Give up the good to go for the great.’ We aim to use our new facility to catapult our market share in the marine cargo tank, rail, tank container, and other industrial segments year over year.”
Built on a legacy of innovation, technical excellence, and entrepreneurial vision, APC remains committed to solving its customers’ toughest challenges with high-performance coating solutions.
Meeting the Needs of Customers
Advanced Polymer Coatings’ customers are looking for critical characteristics from their marine coatings, which fits Advanced Polymer Coatings to a tee.
“In the chemical tanker business, the cargo tank is the vessel’s revenue center—every decision about it directly impacts commercial performance,” Yildirim observed. “Choosing the right coating isn’t just a technical matter; it’s a strategic investment. A versatile, high-performance tank lining enables operators to carry a wider range of cargoes, clean more efficiently, and switch between products with minimal downtime. This flexibility translates into longer charter contracts, fewer days off-hire, and ultimately, a stronger competitive position in a demanding market.”
Yildirim noted that MarineLINE was developed specifically to meet these complex demands.
“MarineLINE offers industry-leading chemical resistance, enabling the safe transport of thousands of aggressive and sensitive chemicals — including acids, solvents, and caustics — without risk of contamination or degradation,” Yildirim said. “This translates directly into enhanced cargo flexibility, allowing vessels to carry a wider variety of cargoes back-to-back, improving profitability and reducing idle time.
“Another key benefit is MarineLINE’s cleanability,” he added. “The ultra-smooth surface of the lining helps speed up tank cleaning operations, reducing the water, chemicals, and labor needed between cargoes. This not only cuts operational costs but also supports faster turnaround times in port — a significant advantage in today’s competitive shipping environment.”
In addition, Advanced Polymer Coatings provides a full suite of technical services to ensure success throughout the entire coating lifecycle. From surface preparation and application oversight during drydockings to ongoing global support through trained inspectors, Yildirim noted that APC acts as a true partner to its customers.
“By combining product performance with proactive service, Advanced Polymer Coatings delivers a marine coating solution that helps its customers stay ahead — operationally, environmentally, and financially,” Yildirim pointed out.
Yildirim observed that APC stands out through its product performance, technical depth, and people-centric approach.
“As a privately held, independent company, APC is agile and focused on long-term relationships,” he added. “Customers don’t just receive a coating — they gain access to global technical service teams, tailored support, and digital tools that make operations smoother and smarter. Additionally, APC's coatings are engineered for extended service life and application efficiency, reducing long-term maintenance costs and improving asset reliability.”
Yildirim reported that APC continues to see strong demand in the marine sector through its MarineLINE cargo tank coating.
“As chemical tanker fleets grow and shipowners seek coatings that maximize cargo versatility and minimize operational disruption, MarineLINE’s performance and track record make it a preferred solution,” said Yildirim. “Growth has also been fueled by geographic expansion, with increased activity in Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, supported by new sales and technical service personnel in these regions. MarineLINE currently holds 12% of the world’s chemical tanker fleet.”
Advanced Polymer Coatings doesn’t rest on its laurels; the company is always developing new advanced products, including TriFLEX™, its newest innovation, commercialized midway through 2024.
“TriFLEX is the first exterior coating produced by Advanced Polymer Coatings,” said Jake Valadez, APC’s global industrial manager. “As a new direct-to-metal (DTM) coating, TriFLEX harnesses Nobel Prize-winning technology to outclass the competition with its groundbreaking benefits.
“This advanced coating system uniquely combines three high-performance resin technologies, each designed to deliver critical benefits for rail applications,” he observed. “Its superior chemical resistance ensures maximum protection against harsh substances, safeguarding railcars in challenging environments. The enhanced mechanical toughness of TriFLEX provides industry-leading flexibility and impact resistance, enabling the coating to withstand physical wear and tear over time. The coating’s exceptional UV stability and weather resistance ensure long-term durability under extreme sunlight, moisture, and temperature fluctuations.
“By integrating these advanced features into a single, versatile coating, TriFLEX offers a long-overdue solution for the rail industry,” Valadez concluded. “Its application extends to various types of rolling stock, including hoppers, tank cars, and other railcars, ensuring comprehensive coverage and protection. With unparalleled durability, performance, and enhanced return-to-service properties, TriFLEX sets a new standard for railcar coatings, delivering lasting value and reliability for railcar owners and operators.”
