More bad new for barnacles. I-Tech AB, the bio-technology company responsible for the bio-active marine anti-fouling active agent Selektope, has appointed Dr. Markus Hoffmann to the role of Technical Director. He joins
FEBRUARY 21, 2018 — As global water temperatures increase, global “biofouling hotspots” in subtropical/tropical areas are intensifying, exposing newbuildings at some of the world’s major shipyards to greater risk of hard fouling
DECEMBER 4, 2016 — Jotun is using DNV GL’s Veracity platform to optimize the delivery of its marine coatings in port. Veracity creates a system where users can safely share data and
AUGUST 15, 2016 —The first branded marine coatings to feature the breakthrough antifouling ingredient Selektope have been launched by coatings major Chugoku Marine Paints, Ltd. (CMP). Developed by I-Tech AB, a Swedish
APRIL 7, 2016 — Coatings specialist Jotun reports that it has analyzed the first ever five year drydocking of a vessel treated with its Hull Performance Solutions (HPS) system. The data indicated
MARCH 11, 2016 — AkzoNobel says its marine coatings business has added cruise vessels to Intertrac Vision, its “big data” tool designed to provide accurate and transparent predictions on the fuel and
FEBRUARY 24, 2016 — AkzoNobel reports that the first carbon credits, worth a total of more than $500,000, have been issued to the owners of 16 ships that have converted from a
FEBRUARY 9, 2016 —I-Tech, a Swedish bio-tech company founded by a group of researchers from Chalmers University of Technology and the University of Gothenburg, reports an “extraordinary” upsurge in demand for its
For shipyards and at installation, the system provides potential efficiency gains of as much as 20 percent compared to traditional three-layer coating systems. For shipowners, it provides the widest chemical resistance and the longest carriage time on the market of more than 3,400 cargoes, delivering maximum flexibility to the product tanker trades.
Building on more than 40 years of practical experience, PPG designed the new Phenguard Pro system as a premium tank coating solution for use on IMO II and III chemical/product tankers typically in the 30,000–60,000 dwt range.
Sijmen Visser, PPG global marketing manager, marine, says the new system is “truly a game changer for the product tanker market, offering shared benefits to both the shipyard and owner/operator by combining over 20 percent efficiency gains on application at newbuild and/or maintenance with trusted and proven performance for the owner. Based on our 40-plus-years track record on more than 1,500 vessels with this product technology, PPG has again delivered a top-quality product that also represents best value to all stakeholders in the IMO II/III product tanker segment.”
The Phenguard Pro system uses Phenguard phenolic epoxy product technology by PPG, a benchmark in the chemical-tanker market for more than 40 years.
PPG identified market demand in the IMO II/III product/chemical tanker segment for a two-layer phenolic epoxy system offering maximum cargo flexibility with improved efficiency at installation. The result is the Phenguard Pro system, engineered and launched for both newbuilding and refurbishment projects.
Mr. Visser says that the Phenguard Pro system achieves in two layers of 125 microns what other tank linings can only achieve in three. The coating system can be applied in temperatures as low as 5 C (41 F), he says, making it a year-round solution that helps reduce costs related to heating for winter application.
The Phenguard Pro system provides a smooth finish that is easy to clean, thus saving time and labor for cargo switching and tank cleaning. Mr. Visser says that shipowners will also benefit from well-documented guidance and procedures for cargoes requiring prewash, thus extending the coating life.
Hempel gained the patent for the micro-fiber antifouling technology in 1994, in its Nautic Tin-free 8190C product. Today, the technology is incorporated in all Hempel’s fouling prevention products. It involves introducing an internal skeleton of fibers into the paint to enhance its mechanical strength – in the same way that steel rods can be inserted into concrete to reinforce a structure.
The company is the only coatings manufacturer to use micro-fibers in its paints.
“Our micro-fiber coatings give the advantage of a stronger product that does not crack or peel,” says Group Product Manager Andreas Glud, explaining the value of this technology. “Antifouling products deliver outstanding protection but due to their chemical make-up, their mechanical strength is often weak. That is, the higher grade of antifouling products, the higher risk of cracking. To combat this, we developed our silicate-based micro-fiber technology, which helps reduce dry dock costs.”
The technology is now also being used in other Hempel products such as epoxy cargo tank paints and other anticorrosive coatings.
“Through leading edge R&D activities, we strive to deliver products with outstanding properties,” says Group Marine Marketing Director, Christian Ottosen. “In this case, we were aware that all antifoulings suffer from strength issues and so we invested in the technology to enhance our paints. We are pleased to announce that we have now sold 100 million liters of micro-fibre based coatings. This clearly demonstrates that we are able to meet the demands of the market and help stakeholders in the marine industry overcome their challenges.”
