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NACE News Global Study on Corrosion Costs and Preventive Strategies By Gretchen Jacobson N ACE International has announced the commencement of its new global study on costs related to corrosion, an initiative to determine the fnancial and societal impact of corrosion on industry sectors including infrastructure, manufacturing, utilities, transportation, and government. Te two-year study, led by NACE with participation from industry partners worldwide, is now underway and is being managed by longtime corrosion industry advocate and NACE Past President Elaine Bowman. Te study will integrate research based on international, regional, and academic participation and will focus on economic data to provide statistics and models that asset owners can use to implement asset preservation, management, and/or replacement. "Corrosion is an inevitable but controllable process that can result in destructive, even catastrophic incidents when not properly prevented and managed," said Bowman. "Costs associated with corrosion control include direct expenses like repair and replacement of assets, or the environmental and physical impact of corrosion-related failures. Tis study will explore direct and indirect costs of corrosion to several industry sectors around the world and identify ways to save as much as 30 percent of those costs." A 2001 study funded by the U.S. Congress with oversight by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and support from NACE provided broad research on direct and indirect costs for U.S. industry sectors.1 Te results of the study indicated that the annual estimated direct cost of corrosion in the United States was $276 billion. Te study led Congress to develop a Corrosion Policy and Oversight (CPO) ofce within the Department of Defense (DoD); the CPO has demonstrated up to a 40:1 return on investment for corrosion control programs implemented by the DoD. Te study also resulted in Congressional support for the launch of the world's frst undergraduate degree in corrosion at the University of Akron in Ohio. "Tis is an essential study for industry stakeholders and governments worldwide," said NACE Executive Director Bob Chalker. "It will be the most comprehensive study to look at costs associated with the impact of NACE Past President Elaine Bowman is leading the new global cost of corrosion study. corrosion, and the resulting data will contribute to future project plans, regulations, education, and more." NACE will provide updates on the progress of the study periodically in NACE publications, press releases, and at www.nace.org. CP Reference 1 G.H. Koch, M.P.H. Brongers, N.G. Thompson, V. P. Virmani, J.H. Payer, "Corrosion Costs and Preventive Strategies in the United States," Publication no. FHWA-RD-01-156 (Washington, DC: FHWA, 2001). A free publication summarizing the results of the 2001 cost of corrosion study is available from the publications area of the NACE website: www.nace.org. "Corrosion is an inevitable but controllable process that can result in destructive, even catastrophic incidents when not properly prevented and managed," said Bowman. 22 JANUARY 2014 COATINGSPROMAG.COM