International Paint, part of AkzoNobel, the world’s largest global paints and coatings company, has announced at a press conference in London, a sea-change in hull performance with the launch of two new coatings solutions.Designed to address the industry issues of predictability in antifouling performance not seen since the days of tributyltin and the difficult issue of slime fouling on ships hulls, the two new technologies are set to improve vessel operating performance, increase efficiency and help control fuel costs and emissions.
• Intercept®8000 LPP, is a brand new biocidal linear polishing polymer antifouling featuring patented ‘LUBYON®’ technology that delivers predictable long term performance for in-service periods up to 90 months, and;
• Intersleek®1100SR, is the industry’s first biocide free fouling control coating featuring unique patented slime release technology that combats micro fouling on ships hulls, maintaining performance throughout the docking cycle
Based on advanced patented LUBYON® polymer technology, Intercept®8000 LPP, provides customers with consistent and predictable linear polishing. This will enable ship owners and operators to plan and budget effectively throughout the dry-dock cycle of the vessel.
The unique LUBYON® polymer technology gives the coating a ‘superhydrophilic’ surface. When the coating is immersed, the seawater has a lubricating effect, resulting in less friction. This reduces drag and increases vessel efficiency giving average fuel consumption and associated emissions savings of 5% annually compared to typical controlled depletion polymer antifoulings. The coating surface also swells on contact with seawater, helping to smooth out imperfections and potentially further reducing drag.
LUBYON® technology reacts with seawater via a constant surface active zone releasing only the optimum amount of biocide over the scheme life to control fouling settlement. Critically, this biocide release rate is largely unaffected by seawater temperature meaning Intercept®8000 LPP has total trading flexibility and can operate across global routes and through all seasons.
Source: International Paint