The chemistry and science of polymers captivated SHIMICOAT Director, Frank Samani, at an early age. Today, he’s a leading global authority on epoxy resin and related products. From his days gaining his PhD at Murdoch University, through work as a research chemist and onto leadership roles, he continues to push chemical boundaries and champions positive environmental-friendly practices.
SHIMICOAT has become a name that’s synonymous with the highest level of epoxy products – and it’s all thanks to the innovation and abilities of the man working behind the scenes.
Q: From your early academic days to now, how has your fascination with chemical polymers and epoxy resin evolved and influenced your career path?
Chemistry has fascinated me for as long as I can remember. My childhood curiosity grew throughout my schooling, with polymer and surface coating becoming a particular passion as I hit adulthood and began to further navigate the world of commerce. I established the SHIMICOAT brand as a trade name for epoxy and coating products that were originally designed for industrial, marine and military use. However, it was soon apparent that the products were equally in demand for residential use, both by tradies and DIYers. The rest, as they say, is history…
Q. Could you share insights on how your work in the research and development (R&D) of chemical formulations has contributed to advancements in the epoxy resin industry?
R&D is my specialty – along with how to commercialise these concepts. Utilising the latest technologies and scientific breakthroughs has allowed SHIMICOAT to successfully develop and market more than 2,000 products over the last decade. Every single one of these is designed to target specific applications, creating the best surface coating solution for virtually every industry need.
Q. Can you discuss a breakthrough moment or project in your career that particularly stands out, especially in relation to epoxy surface coatings?
I was frustrated about the restrictions of epoxy coatings and wanted to create a better solution. It took some doing but resulted in the creation of a new solution – one that set a whole new benchmark for durability, adhesion and resilience. In addition, the new formula also created a product that was far more user-friendly.
This opened the world of epoxy to DIYers, as well as professional installers. It also meant that the floor coating could be used across a much wider landscape – industry, commercial spaces, domestic, etc… Not only does every SHIMICOAT product in today’s range showcase this improved versatility, but it revolutionised the complete industry of epoxy coatings. This played a huge role in positioning us as a market leader, not only of cutting-edge products but also in the continuing development of new technology.
Q. What challenges did you face in developing environmentally friendly practices in the chemical production industry,? How did you overcome them?
One of my first ambitions was to create products that were environmentally sound and safe to use. Xylene – a product that many other companies use as diluent and that has a whole host of negative exposure side effects – was one that I was keen to remove from SHIMICOAT products.
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), such as this, aren’t only a danger to the users, they’re also harmful to the environment. It was tough to develop a substitute of the same performance calibre, But extensive R&D has led to an effective alternative – an alcohol-based diluent with zero VOCs and equal, if not better, results.
I also wanted to remove waste and the need for its disposal during the production process. Again, this took many years of research and innovation but has resulted in a range that utilises every single drop of resin. This means that all SHIMICOAT products have zero chemical discharge – no wastage and no harmful products that need to be disposed of.
Q. What future developments or trends do you foresee in the epoxy resin and chemical polymers industry. How is SHIMICOAT positioned to be at the forefront of these changes?
I think we’re going to see a demand for increased simplicity. SHIMICOAT is already working on elements, such as ready mixed product and faster curing, to make epoxy and polyaspartic floor coatings even more user-friendly.
Q. What inspired you to establish SHIMICOAT and how does it reflect your vision for the epoxy resin industry?
Shimi means chemistry in Persian – and chemistry is the base that drives my passion for the continual development of floor coating technology. I saw the need for reliable, innovative flooring solutions that could be used in both commercial and domestic applications. The name SHIMICOAT hit the spot, as it combined the technical and practical elements that are at the heart of the company.
My vision is the continual improvement – both of the products we create and our commitment to environmentally safe practices. And, of course, applying that same commitment to our customers.
Q. In your expert opinion, what are the key factors that set SHIMICOAT’s epoxy resin products apart from others in the market?
Quality and longevity – our surface coatings are far superior to many others on the market. This is thanks to continual research and development into our product formulations, meticulous quality control, extensive range and tailored flooring solutions. But we don’t stop there. We take these fundamental elements and further increase our market stance through environmental commitments, customer training, support and engagement, plus the wide range of applications that the SHIMICOAT brand is known for.
Q. Can you discuss a recent innovation or SHIMICOAT product that you find particularly exciting or ground-breaking?
I’m delighted with the introduction of our tinted polyaspartic floor covering. Not only does this offer customers addition aesthetic choices, but it also combines incredible longevity in areas that have to withstand extreme conditions and extensive use and abuse.
Q. How do you see the role of technology evolving in the epoxy resin industry? How is SHIMICOAT adapting to these changes?
Epoxy technology is continually evolving – and I believe that SHIMICOAT doesn’t just adapt to these changes – we drive them. The company is at the cutting-edge of new knowledge and capabilities. This can be seen in our continuing advancement and development of formulations and materials – as well as our shift to integrating digital solutions within the whole platform.
I see the landscape continuing to evolve and improve how easy epoxy is to use, the rollout of more ready-mixed solutions, more customisation options and – crucially – ever-better sustainability and lowered environmental impact.
What are some common misconceptions about epoxy resin that you frequently encounter? How do you address them?
Possibly the most common ones surround chemicals and toxicity – specifically odours, vapours, VOCs etc. We’ve spent over a decade overcoming these issues and are proud that none of our products contain any harmful chemicals. Once a SHIMICOAT coating has cured, you’re left with an impervious finish surface that’s inert and 100% safe to be in contact with.
We also dedicate a high level of resources into debunking other common misconceptions, such as that it’s difficult to install, has a limited use range, that it yellows over time, isn’t suitable for outdoors or that it only comes in a few colours. Very importantly, we work hard to get the message out that all epoxy products are not made equal. Depending on the formula, an epoxy coating will have different longevity, a different finish and will be either simple or difficult to install. We provide a heap of online and physical literature to help customers choose the right formulation for their project.
Q. As a global authority in the field, what do you think are the biggest challenges facing the epoxy resin industry today?
It has to be education and training. That’s why we offer training courses, workshops and other learning resources to suit both novice and experienced installers.
Q. How does SHIMICOAT approach environmental sustainability in its product formulations and manufacturing processes?
Sustainability is at the forefront of our manufacturing processes. Both our facilities and product formulas are constantly reassessed to ensure the health and safety of our users. This is done in combination with addressing environmental concerns and providing the ultimate flooring system performance.
For instance, we constantly invest substantial time and funding into improving our product formulations – I’m proud that SHIMICOAT advancements, such as cutting-edge water-based formulations, have revolutionised the industry. Reducing the reliance on air and environment-polluting products has been a game-changer – and, I hope, will improve industry standards as a whole.
We’re also committed to utilising renewable energy sources and embracing green practices. Recycling and reuse have been a priority for many years and we constantly strive to further reduce our carbon footprint. When it comes to the raw materials of products, we don’t just chose those with the lowest environmental impact but are also sourced responsibly.
I’m passionate about reducing or eliminating waste entirely. If waste can’t be avoided, then this is disposed of in the most ecologically manner possible and adheres to stringent regulations. Plus, it doesn’t matter how good we as a company at improving our environmental impact, we also have a responsibility to educate our customers on environmentally friendly practices and use of our products. We constantly update our customer guides and training to reflect this.
Q. What advice would you give to young chemists or entrepreneurs aspiring to enter the epoxy resin industry?
I would say that quality, health, safety and environment (QHSE) should be your priority. Following this, focus on product quality, longevity and performance. Lastly, look at how you can commercialise (AKA, profit) from bringing such products to market.
Study chemistry, chemical engineering and polymer chemistry. Never stop learning – this is key to future success and innovation. Read, network, take courses, get hands-on, understand market challenges and stay afront of current and potential developments. Look at current challenges and envisage what might solve them – let your mind imagine the art of the possible and then fall back to your scientific knowledge to work out a way to make this possible.
And above all, never give up… the chemists of the future have an exciting and opportunistic time ahead of them. As technology unfolds and pushes back more and more boundaries, the brightest talents that are being nurtured today will be the ones who push the industry forward – especially in the areas of sustainability and environmental responsibility.
Q. Looking forward, what are your long-term goals for SHIMICOAT? How do you plan to achieve them in the evolving landscape of chemical polymers?
I consider epoxy and related products to be the future of surface solution industries – not just within the commercial and industrial space, but residential as well. By investing in R&D and the company’s unique and innovate approach, we’ll continue to focus on creating products that are the best in the business. Through reliability, excellence and subject matter expertise, I can ensure that SHIMICOAT continues to over-deliver and become the number one name for epoxy in Australia and further afield.
Q. Lastly, what is your favourite thing about being the founder and owner of SHIMICOAT?
I’d have to say that it’s being hands on with every element of the business. I work closely with customers – installers, DIYers and end users. I go on site visits and see the challenges first hand. This allows me to innovate and develop the right solutions for any specific surface problems. I spend as little time in the office as possible – preferring to indulge my passion to see floors for myself. Through this I can feed my imagination and get the ideas I need on how to improve the SHIMICOAT range and be even more innovative.
