Two new products join AkzoNobel Intersmooth anti-fouling line

Image: AkzoNobel

AkzoNobel International Marine Coatings has introduced two new Intersmooth anti-fouling hull coatings featuring self-polishing silyl methacrylate technology.

Intersmooth 7200Si SPC

Described as a next generation self-polishing silyl methacrylate anti-fouling. Intersmooth 7200Si SPC is product is based upon proven resin technology coupled with a highly effective biocide package which has been optimized to deliver excellent cost-effective performance.

The product also benefits from higher solids when compared to the current industry benchmark – reducing waste and VOC emissions while improving application efficiency. Intersmooth 7200Si SPC comes with a guaranteed speed loss threshold of 2.5%.

AkzoNobel says that the formulation features an optimized biocide package which not only delivers a clean hull but helps operators contribute further to reach their environmental goals by reducing CO2 emissions in service. As a result, it contributes to a reduction in operation and maintenance costs to improve fleet profitability.

The silyl methacrylate technology of Intersmooth 7200Si SPC has been formulated to deliver a more consistent polishing rate that enables custom designed schemes for vessels based on their predicted routes, to ensure they perform at their best – resulting in less interruption or delays in service – delivering maintenance and cost savings to operators.

It is also designed to provide less sensitivity to time and temperature in its service period and a reduced risk of surface cracking versus silyl acrylate-based products.

“At AkzoNobel, we are committed to helping the marine industry reach its carbon neutral ambition — through continually developing products and services which contribute towards and boost financial returns in a sustainable way,” says Christopher Birkert, Global Marine Segment Manager.

“The Intersmooth range has been trusted by our customers since 1974 and has had over 47,500 applications globally since its launch,” Birkert continues. “By building on this solid technology, Intersmooth 7200Si SPC offers the best fuel savings for its class with its self-polishing technology delivering a low-friction underwater hull surface that contributes to an average speed loss of no more than 2.5% during 60 months in service. This delivers significant cost savings in application and operation over the scheme lifetime which can extend to 90 months.

“The latest advance in anti-fouling performance with our market-leading silyl methacrylate polymer technology demonstrates our commitment to delivering sustainably focussed products and services that provide a step change opportunity for operators both economically and environmentally.”

Intersmooth 7476Si SPC

The other new anti-fouling introduce by AkzoNobel, Intersmooth 7476Si SPC, is also a next generation self-polishing silyl methacrylate product.

Formulated to deliver consistent, reliable and industry leading antifouling performance over the dry-docking cycle, it has been expressly designed to deliver a more consistent polishing rate that enables custom-designed schemes for vessels based on their predicted routes, to ensure they perform at their best — resulting in less interruption or delays in service — delivering maintenance and cost savings to operators. It also provides less sensitivity to time and temperature in its service period and a reduced risk of surface cracking.

“The high-performance, self-polishing, anti-fouling hull properties of Intersmooth 7476Si SPC can help operators meet these goals while delivering significant cost savings over their lifetime, which can be up to 90 months,” says Birkert, who notes that the product can be used at both newbuilding and repair and provides a guaranteed clean hull over 45 static days, with a speed loss threshold capped at 1.4%.

“As a result,” he says, “it contributes to a reduction in operational and maintenance costs to improve fleet profitability.”