Jotun to paint the Eiffel Tower

Citation

(2002), "Jotun to paint the Eiffel Tower", Pigment & Resin Technology, Vol. 31 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/prt.2002.12931caf.002

Jotun to paint the Eiffel Tower

Keywords: Jotun Paints (Europe), Paint, France

The Eiffel Tower, probably the most famous monument of the modern world, is to be repainted by Jotun France SA, the French member company of Jotun Paints (Europe) and of the worldwide Jotun Group (Plate 1).

Plate 1 Application of the Jotun Paints "Mammut" system to the Eiffel Tower will be carried out by a team specialising in work at high levels. The two products comprising the Jotun system "Mammut Primer" and "Mammut Topcoat" – can each be applied in a single coat, enabling the painting team to spend the least possible time on the structure.

The Eiffel Tower is repainted every seven years, and this latest contract was won by Jotun France in competition with many of the worlds largest paint manufacturers. According to Jotun the successful outcome followed a demanding three-year test programme which showed that the its "Mammut" high-build urethane-alkyd based protective system was the best on offer for the project.

The Jotun France team, which won the Eiffel Tower contract, comprised the head of the Decorative Division, Caroline Peel, together with her colleague, Jose Menaches, head of the Protective Division. Caroline Peel comments, "We feel honoured to have been given the responsibility for protecting this unique example of the structural engineer's art, and are confident that the 'Mammut' system will prove more than satisfactory in protecting the tower against the ravages of climate and pollution for at least seven years."

Specifically designed for the protection of structural steelwork, the Jotun system consists of 'Mammut Primer' and 'Mammut' Topcoat'. Both primer and topcoat are high- build single-pack products which are said to minimise application time and, hence, cost and inconvenience. Jotun also informs us that together, the two products also form a system that is certified not to spread surface flame.

The Paint will be supplied in three slightly different shades, which will be applied to different levels of the tower. For the visiting onlooker, this gives the impression of the whole tower being of uniform colour (Plate 2).

Plate 2 André Tanguy, general manager of Jotun France SA, applies the first brushfull of Jotun Paints 'Mammut' urethane-alkyd system to the Eiffel Tower.

In Jotun's opinion the success of a project of this scale – the Eiffel Tower will consume 70 tonnes of paint – will greatly enhance the Jotun Paints reputation for high quality products, prompt delivery and exceptional technical advice and support for customers throughout a contract.

Engineered by Gustave Eiffel and completed in 1889 for the "Exposition Universel", in Paris, the Eiffel Tower commemorated the centenary of the French Revolution. The tower is made up of 18,038 wrought iron parts fastened together with some 2.5 million rivets. The height of the tower is 312.27 metres, and the weight of the metal structure is 7300 tonnes.

Details available from: Jotun Paints (Europe) Ltd. Tel: +44 (0)20 7481 2741; Fax: +44 (0)20 7265 1836; E-mail: linda.diamond@jotun.co.uk. or Jotun France SA. Tel:+33.1.45.19.38.80; Fax +33.1.45.19.38.94