CRTS Global LLC, a portfolio company of Houston-based private equity firm Voyager Interests, has announced its acquisition of RAE Energy’s coatings business (RAE Coatings), a strategic move that significantly strengthens CRTS' position as a dominant force in the global pipeline coatings market. This acquisition uniquely positions CRTS as the sole provider offering comprehensive internal and external pipeline field joint coating solutions specifically tailored for the offshore sector.

CRTS has long been recognized as the global leader in internal robotic field joint coating services for a diverse range of pipeline applications, including onshore and offshore natural gas, crude oil, potable water, salt water, hydrogen, and carbon capture. The company boasts an impressive track record, having successfully completed coating services on over three million field joints with a global deployment of more than five hundred coating machines.

The acquisition of RAE Coatings, a technological frontrunner in the application of protective external coatings for offshore pipelines, expands CRTS' capabilities. RAE Coatings brings to the table proprietary solutions that have been successfully implemented for customers across virtually every key offshore market worldwide, including Brazil, Guyana, the Gulf of Mexico, West Africa, the North Sea, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East.

This synergistic combination allows CRTS to now offer a complete and integrated suite of services for pipeline and spool base clients globally. The expanded service portfolio includes specialized external coating solutions such as IMPP (Internal Mechanically Applied Polypropylene), EMPU (Elastomeric Modified Polyurethane), IMPU (Internal Mechanically Applied Polyurethane), PUF (Polyurethane Foam), flame spray PP/PE (Polypropylene/Polyethylene), the patented rapid 3LPP/3LPE WehoCoat (three-layer polypropylene/polyethylene), and various specialized custom coatings.

Bryan Kirchmer, President at CRTS, expressed his enthusiasm about the acquisition, stating, “We are thrilled to welcome RAE Coatings and its talented employees into the CRTS organization. RAE Coatings’ extensive global presence, cutting-edge proprietary technologies, and experienced, specialized workforce will be invaluable in enabling us to provide a more complete and efficient corrosion resistance solution to support our customers’ projects worldwide. For over 40 years, CRTS has been at the forefront of field joint coating technology, pioneering untethered remote-operated robotic coating machines for internal pipeline applications. This acquisition significantly enhances our ability to serve our customers with a broader range of services across a wider geographical footprint.”

RAE Energy has confirmed the completion of the sale of its coatings business to strategically focus its resources on expanding its nondestructive testing capabilities through its Prime Inspections and UT Quality divisions.