According to a global study by NACE International (now AMPP – Association for Materials Protection and Performance), corrosion has an economic impact of approximately USD 2.5 trillion per year, which represents about 3.4% of the global GDP. (Source: NACE, The International Measures of Prevention, Application, and Economics of Corrosion Technologies – IMPACT Study, 2016)

This silent threat directly affects critical sectors such as:

• Oil & Gas
• Mining
• Energy
• Water & Wastewater
• Petrochemical and Chemical Industry
• Civil Infrastructure

⚠️ Real-Life Catastrophic Events Caused by Corrosion:

🚧 Piper Alpha – 1988 (North Sea)
One of the worst disasters in the offshore industry. Corrosion-related valve failures were part of the causes behind the massive explosion that killed 167 people and generated losses exceeding USD 3.4 billion. ([Source: UK Health and Safety Executive – Piper Alpha Disaster Report])

🌉 Silver Bridge Collapse – 1967 (USA)
A catastrophic failure caused by stress corrosion cracking in a critical suspension chain led to the complete collapse of the bridge, killing 46 people. ([Source: Federal Highway Administration – FHWA, USA])

🏭 BP Texas City Refinery Explosion – 2005 (USA)
Corrosion-related equipment failures contributed to the explosion at the BP refinery in Texas City, resulting in 15 deaths, 180 injuries, and over USD 1.5 billion in damages. ([Source: U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board – CSB Texas City Report])

💰 The Numbers Speak for Themselves:

• Around 40% of equipment failures in industrial facilities are directly or indirectly caused by corrosion. ([Source: ASM International – Corrosion: Understanding the Basics])
• The NACE/AMPP indicates that effective corrosion management can reduce total costs by up to 35%.
• In Brazil alone, corrosion-related losses exceed BRL 100 billion (USD 20 billion) annually, affecting industries and critical infrastructure. ([Source: ABRACO – Brazilian Association of Corrosion, International Corrosion Congress, 2019])

🔍 Corrosion Also Affects Everyday Life:

• Pipeline failures in water and sewage systems.
• Collapse of transmission towers and communication masts.
• Gas pipeline explosions in urban areas.
• Structural collapses of bridges, viaducts, and public infrastructure.

🚨 Conclusion:

Corrosion is silent but deadly — endangering both safety and business continuity. Failing to prevent corrosion leads to financial losses, operational downtime, environmental disasters, and, most critically, the loss of human lives.

Corrosion control is not just an engineering responsibility — it’s a critical strategy for sustainability, safety, operational excellence, and financial health.

👉 Invest in protection. Safeguard your assets. Preserve lives. Keep your business running.