News - Marine & Offshore

The Sandwich Plate System (SPS) is an advanced and patented structural technology widely used for repairs and reinforcements on ships and offshore assets.

Developed by SPS Technology, this solution creates a robust, flexible, and durable structure. SPS is renowned for its efficiency, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness, making it an innovative alternative to conventional metal structure repairs.

What is the Sandwich Plate System (SPS)?

The Sandwich Plate System is a structural composite solution that combines two metal plates joined by an elastomer core developed by BASF. This core acts as an energy-absorbing layer, providing greater resistance to impact, vibration, and wear.

Unlike traditional methods, which require the complete replacement of large corroded or damaged areas, SPS allows for the reuse of the existing structure as one side of the composite, reducing the need for new materials and repair time.

What is SPS used for?

The Sandwich Plate System was developed for a variety of applications requiring quick, efficient, and cost-effective reinforcement or repair of metal structures, including on vessels and offshore platforms.

The main applications of SPS for the Marine and Offshore sectors include:

• Repairs of decks and hulls: SPS is widely used to repair corroded or damaged areas without the need to replace large sections of the structure.
• Structural reinforcement: Increases the strength of platforms, decks, and other structures to support greater loads and impacts.
• Noise and vibration reduction: The elastomeric core absorbs noise and vibrations, enhancing comfort in marine and offshore environments.
• Explosion and fire protection: The system offers greater resistance to explosions and fire spread, ensuring greater safety for assets.

How is SPS applied?

The application of SPS involves placing metal plates with the elastomer core between them, forming a robust and durable composite.

The process is approved by all major classification societies, ensuring a safe and permanent repair.

One of SPS’s major advantages is its ability to be installed while the platform is in operation, eliminating the need for dry docking, which significantly reduces downtime and operational costs.

Advantages of the Sandwich Plate System (SPS)

The Sandwich Plate System offers a range of benefits that make it an ideal solution for repairs and reinforcements on ships and offshore platforms:

• Time savings: SPS can be up to 75% faster than conventional repair methods, allowing assets to return to operation quickly.
• Cost reduction: Up to 11 times more economical than traditional crop and replace, SPS reduces the need for new materials and minimizes labor costs.
• Sustainability: SPS uses up to 60% less new steel, generates 55% fewer CO² emissions, and eliminates the need for welding in up to 70% of cases, contributing to environmental preservation.
• Safety: The system eliminates risks associated with hot work (such as cutting and welding) and can be applied without interrupting vessel or platform operations.
• Durability: The technology provides greater resistance to fatigue and impacts, significantly extending the structure’s lifespan.
• Technical compliance: Every repair using SPS is carried out based on a detailed engineering study, submitted to marine classifications to ensure the process meets the highest standards. Furthermore, each repair is approved by the corresponding classification society, ensuring reliability and service quality.

Environmental benefits

One of the greatest advantages of the Sandwich Plate System is its positive impact on the environment. As SPS enables the reuse of corroded metal plates, the amount of new steel required for repairs is drastically reduced.

Additionally, by eliminating the need for processes such as cutting and welding in many cases, SPS minimizes pollutant gas emissions and energy consumption.

In terms of sustainability, SPS contributes to a circular economy by allowing structures to be reused and reinforced with a significantly lower carbon footprint.

With SPS, it is possible to:

• Reduce CO2 emissions by up to 55% compared to conventional repair methods;
• Avoid the use of welding and oxy-acetylene cutting in up to 90% of cases, eliminating fire and pollution risks;
• Extend asset lifespan, reducing the need for new construction and conserving natural resources.

Why choose the Sandwich Plate System (SPS)?

If you are looking for an economical, sustainable, and safe solution for structural repairs, the Sandwich Plate System is the ideal choice.

With its ability to reinforce structures, reduce costs, and minimize environmental impacts, SPS stands out as an innovative and efficient technology for the Marine and Offshore industries.

Metalock Brasil: Authorized representative of SPS Technology in Latin America

Currently, Metalock Brasil is the only authorized representative of SPS Technology in Latin America, making it the only company qualified to apply the Sandwich Plate System on ships and offshore platforms in the region.

To learn more about this innovative solution and how it can benefit your assets, visit Metalock Brasil’s website.