The Hidden Cost of Poor Insulation in Industrial Facilities

The Hidden Cost of Poor Insulation in Industrial Facilities

In the competitive landscape of Singapore’s oil and gas sector, facility operators are constantly seeking ways to reduce costs while improving safety and performance. One commonly overlooked factor? Insulation.

At Loonglobal Engineering, we often encounter sites where outdated, poorly applied, or neglected insulation systems are silently costing clients thousands of dollars monthly — not to mention exposing workers and equipment to preventable risk.

1. Common Failures We See

• Moisture ingress leading to Corrosion Under Insulation (CUI)

• Missing jacketing exposing thermal insulation to UV and rain

• Insulation collapse causing heat losses and safety issues

Poor insulation means:

• Your steam or hot oil lines need more energy to maintain temperatures

• Maintenance crews risk burns from exposed surfaces

• Downtime increases due to preventable failures

2. Long-Term Financial Impact

Let’s break it down. A single uninsulated 6" steam pipe operating at 180°C can cost over SGD $6,000 annually in wasted energy. Now multiply that across dozens of lines and tanks in your plant.

Loonglobal’s team helps clients proactively:

• Inspect and audit their current insulation condition

• Replace failed insulation sections with improved material selection

• Re-wrap and re-jacket exposed systems to ensure durability

The longer poor insulation stays in place, the greater the financial and safety liability.

3. The Loonglobal Solution

Our project teams include experienced insulation supervisors, prefab support at our Sunview facility, and scaffold/painting integration. We tackle shutdowns, live system insulation, and maintenance packages with:

• Material compatibility checks

• Proper sealing and termination techniques

• Clear QA/QC documentation with photos

We’ve helped clients in Jurong Island, Tuas and Banyan Drive recover insulation systems that had deteriorated silently over the years.

4. Avoiding CUI: A Special Focus

Corrosion Under Insulation is a major risk in humid Singapore environments. Loonglobal addresses this through:

• High-performance vapor barriers and weatherproof jacketing

• Correct overlap direction to prevent ingress

• Closed-cell or hydrophobic insulation materials like Foamglas® or Armaflex®

Why Choose Loonglobal Engineering?

• Real field experience fixing what others overlooked

• Fast prefab delivery to minimize shutdown time

• Zero compromise on safety and quality

Don’t wait for a leak or heat loss to trigger action. Proactively protect your plant with Loonglobal Engineering’s insulation recovery services.