Aberdeen-based Alba Gaskets (www.albagaskets.com), an oil and gas services company, has invested more than £100,000 in a new division to manufacture two products aimed at the global energy industry.

The company previously acted as a stockist and distributor for a number of international gasket manufacturers, but having seen a gap in the market for high-end anti-corrosion and fire-resistant gaskets, it decided to launch its own products.

Its first product — the IsoShield FS fire-safe isolation kit — will be manufactured at the company’s facility on the Souterhead Industrial Estate, while its second product — the Alba-Shield — will be produced under licence.

The investment in the new division will lead to the creation of six new jobs.

The IsoShield FS uses a combination of spring-energised Teflon seals and a Kammpro Phyllosillicate fire-safe back-up seal.

It combines Glass Reinforced Epoxy (GRE) with a steel core, offering the strength and integrity of a metal gasket while maintaining the isolation characteristics of traditional GRE designs and ensuring the highest levels of electrical isolation.

Meanwhile, the Alba-Shield — created in response to an industry-wide increase in flange-face corrosion and its effects — is fire-safe as standard and performs to a higher level than a conventional spiral-wound gasket.

Managing director Brad Smith said: “Following extensive testing and using our specialist knowledge combined with ‘state of the art’ technology, we have taken the best of the existing products and technologies currently available in the market to create our own gaskets.

"By manufacturing in-house, we have more control within the supply chain, while continuing to ensure that our clients’ assets perform effectively and efficiently.

“Our tight-sealing corrosion control range, which now comprises our own products as well as other leading offerings, demonstrates zero leakage in industry fire tests, preventing further hydrocarbon releases and therefore the spread of fire.

“All our solutions are designed to assure the integrity and performance of our clients’ assets, with a firm focus on HSE and optimising life-cycle asset performance.”