What started with a problem inside ductile iron sewer pipe has grown into one of Induron Protective Coatings’ most important technologies. Today, ceramic epoxy is at the heart of a growing portfolio of Induron coatings designed to protect water and wastewater infrastructure. But that technology traces back to one product: Protecto 401™ Ceramic Epoxy.
For more than four decades, Protecto 401 has provided proven corrosion and abrasion resistance for ductile iron sanitary sewer pipe and fittings. More importantly, its success helped Induron discover just how far ceramic epoxy technology could go.
It Started With a Difficult Wastewater Problem
In the late 1970s, changing sewer infrastructure created a new challenge.As sewer systems became more enclosed, conditions inside the pipe became increasingly corrosive. Induron began looking for a better way to protect ductile iron sewer pipe from this aggressive environment.
In 1979, Induron began a two-year research and development process focused on a unique approach: incorporating hollow ceramic particles into an epoxy lining. The result was Protecto 401.
The first Protecto 401-lined ductile iron sewer pipe was placed into service in 1981. Since then, thousands of miles of ductile iron sewer pipe have been lined with the product. What began as a solution for one of the most demanding corrosion environments in the water and wastewater industry became the foundation for something much bigger.
Why Ceramic Epoxy?
Protecto 401 demonstrated the potential of combining epoxy chemistry with ceramic technology to create a dense, highly protective barrier.
Ceramic epoxy technology offers several advantages for infrastructure protection, including high film build, reduced permeability and strong barrier protection. Induron has continued to develop and refine those characteristics for different substrates, service environments and application requirements.
The result isn’t simply a single coating technology for a single application. It’s a platform that Induron continues to build upon.
From One Proven Product to a Technology Platform
The success of Protecto 401 prompted Induron to take the same fundamental ceramic epoxy technology into other areas of asset protection. Today, Induron’s ceramic epoxy portfolio includes solutions designed for applications ranging from ductile iron sewer pipe to steel and concrete assets.
- Protecto 401™ remains the benchmark for ductile iron sanitary sewer pipe and fittings, with decades of field experience behind it.
- Ceramasafe 90 brings ceramic epoxy technology to steel, non-ferrous metals and concrete exposed to aggressive wastewater, hydrogen sulfide and other corrosive environments.
- Ceramaprime brings ceramic epoxy technology to steel and concrete potable water tanks, ensuring strong adhesion and corrosion resistance.
- TL70 Ceramic Epoxy brings the proven ceramic epoxy technology to your tank lining project. TL70 is the perfect option for asset owners who are looking for protection beyond that of a traditional thin-film epoxy lining, but who want to avoid the expense associated with 100% solids plural component application
- Perma-Clean 100™ and Perma-Clean 100 SL bring high-build ceramic epoxy protection to potable water applications, including water storage tanks. Perma-Clean 100 SL was developed to provide high-film-build ceramic epoxy protection while offering greater flexibility in application equipment.
Different products. Different applications. The same philosophy: use proven coating technology to solve real infrastructure challenges.
Protecto 401 Is More Than a Product. It’s Where the Story Began.
There’s a reason Protecto 401 has remained such an important part of Induron’s story.It wasn’t developed in a laboratory simply because ceramic epoxy sounded innovative. It was developed to solve a specific, serious problem—and then proven in the field. More than 40 years later, that same spirit of problem-solving continues to drive Induron’s ceramic epoxy technology.
We continue to listen to contractors, engineers and asset owners to make asset protection more effective, practical and durable. Protecto 401 was the beginning. Ceramic epoxy technology continues the legacy.
Learn About the Technology Behind the Induron’s Protective Coatings at WEFTEC 2026
This September, Induron will bring this story to WEFTEC 2026 in New Orleans.
WEFTEC takes place September 26–30 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, with the exhibition running September 28–30. The event brings together water and wastewater professionals from across the industry to explore technologies, solutions and innovations shaping the future of water.
Stop by and talk with the Induron team at Booth #2234 about the technology behind Protecto 401 and the entire line of ceramic epoxy coatings.