ROTAIR Powered IBIX’s Blasting and Coating System in the Restoration of the Ponte Arena Bridge

Utilising the MDVN 83 compressor, the IBIX-ROTAIR setup achieved coating removal rates more than twice as fast as a competitive system, delivering a high-performance, on-site solution.

Caraglio, Italy – December 2025 ROTAIR S.p.A., a leading company in the design, manufacture and distribution of advanced portable air compressors, multi-functional dumpers and hydraulic breakers for more than 60 years and a brand of ELGi Equipments Limited, partnered with IBIX Srl, a provider of portable surface blasting and coating technologies, on a major restoration project for the Ponte Arena Bridge in Mazara del Vallo, Sicily. The collaboration supported essential surface preparation and application of protective coatings on the heavily corroded metal structure, with the ROTAIR MDVN 83 compressor ensuring efficient on-site operations.

Founded in Italy, IBIX is a leading developer and manufacturer of technologies for surface blasting, preparation and specialised cleaning. The company provides advanced sandblasting and micro-air-abrasion systems for restoring architectural and historical structures, as well as for industrial coating removal. IBIX also offers cutting-edge surface protection through its flame-spray technology, delivering long-lasting thermoplastic coatings with anti-corrosive, waterproof and chemical-resistant properties.

One of IBIX’s recent projects focused on the restoration of the Ponte Arena Bridge in Mazara del Vallo, Sicily, where the metal structure had suffered severe corrosion after years of exposure to moisture, salt and atmospheric pollutants. Traditional multi-layer liquid coatings offered limited durability and required long curing times, so the challenge was to apply a robust, solvent-free coating directly on-site. Before the new coating could be applied, the old thick paint system had to be removed, requiring a powerful yet mobile air compressor to operate the IBIX 60 HI PRO blasting system.

For this project, IBIX selected the ROTAIR MDVN 83 portable compressor, a compact, high-performance unit capable of delivering stable, dry compressed air. This consistency was essential for both the sandblasting phase of the surface preparation and the subsequent flame-spray coating process, ensuring optimal application quality and reliable results throughout the workflow.

The restoration work began with surface preparation. IBIX 60 Hi PRO system was used to remove rust, old coatings and contaminants, creating the correct surface profile. Next, the surface was preheated with the IBIX Atlantis 4.0 flame-spray system before applying the PHC-A thermoplastic powder. This produced a uniform, durable and impermeable coating layer in a single 900–1000 µm pass, allowing the treated components to be returned to service once cooled.

“IBIX has been working with ROTAIR for more than twenty years, combining compressed air solutions with portable surface treatment and coating technologies. For this project, we have chosen ROTAIR compressors for their reliability, compact design and ability to deliver dry, consistent compressed air, which is essential for both blasting and coating. Their portability allowed us to carry out the entire process directly on the bridge, without any additional infrastructure. With ROTAIR compressors, fixed coating facilities were no longer required, we reduced the application time and were able to enhance the coating’s performance and durability.” - said Susanna Giovannini, CEO & Founder at IBIX.

In preliminary comparison tests, the combination of the IBIX 60 HI PRO and the ROTAIR MDVN 83 compressor outperformed a competitive, much larger setup, which included a 12,000-litre air compressor and a 200-litre blasting pot. The IBIX–ROTAIR system was more than twice as fast, removing a 2 mm multi-layer paint system at a rate of 6.6 m² per hour with a 9 mm nozzle while achieving an SA 3 blasting grade, compared with the other system’s 2.4 m² per hour through a 12 mm nozzle. This increased speed enabled surface preparation and coating to be completed in one continuous workflow. Immediate commissioning after coating was also possible thanks to the intrinsic properties of flame-sprayed thermoplastics, which require no curing time.

“This project demonstrates how the combined expertise can deliver durable, sustainable and field-ready solutions for infrastructure maintenance. Sustainability is a core principle for ROTAIR, and this project reflects that commitment. The integrated IBIX–ROTAIR system is entirely eco-friendly, with no solvents or harmful emissions, minimal material waste and low energy consumption. The unit’s long-lasting performance also reduces environmental impact by extending maintenance cycles.” - said Jacopo Incrisse, Marketing Manager at Rotair.

The MDVN series features compact, ergonomic and durable design, offers lowest acoustic pressure levels required by current legislation, and emissions that are fully compliant with the latest global environmental standards. Each unit is equipped with an integrated after-cooler and condensate filtration system, ensuring a reliable supply of cool, dry air for a wide variety of applications. Designed for maximum usability, the compressors offer easy maintenance access, a centralised control panel for straightforward monitoring, and an intelligent system that prevents starting load on the engine and enables low-pressure shut-down. The “No Key” one-button start, together with an anti-repetitiveness system that protects the starter motor, further enhances operational reliability.

About ROTAIR

ROTAIR S.p.A. a brand of ELGi Equipments Limited, designs, engineers and manufactures customer-centric portable air compressors, multi-functional minidumpers and hydraulic breakers. Since the company was founded in 1961, ROTAIR has become renowned for its heritage of pioneering solutions for the construction, public works and maintenance and agricultural sectors while ensuring conformity with international standards in terms of quality and processes. With a global presence in over 60 countries, ROTAIR stands out in the market by collaborating with distributors, dealers, and OEMs to design products and solutions that ensure reliable operation, low maintenance costs, and the preservation of their value over time. For further information on the organisation and its products, please visit www.rotairspa.com

About ELGi

ELGi Compressors is a global air compressor manufacturer with operations in nearly all European countries with a broad line of innovative and technologically superior compressed air systems. ELGi has consistently worked towards ensuring that its customers achieve their productivity goals while keeping the cost of ownership low. ELGi offers a complete range of compressed air solutions from oil-lubricated and oil-free rotary screw compressors, oil-lubricated and oil-free reciprocating compressors and centrifugal compressors, to dryers, filters and downstream accessories. The company’s portfolio of over 400 products has found wide applications across industries. For further information on the organisation and its products, please visit www.elgiaircompressors.eu