An antifouling product containing the bio-repellent ingredient Selektope® has been launched by Chugoku Marine Paints (CMP).

The increasing diversification in the range of Selektope®-containing products available to ship owners suitable for different vessel requirements demonstrates the versatility of the antifouling ingredient. It also demonstrates a growing commitment to the technology as demand from ship owners for antifouling coatings comprising Selektope® intensifies.

The product Sea Grandprix 880 hs plus is the third CMP has launched that contains Selektope®. It joins CMP’s products Seaflo neo CF Premium and Seaflo neo-s Premium that were launched in August 2016.

The new antifouling coating is based on hydrolysing technology and can be applied to deep sea-going vessels trading worldwide in service periods for up to 90 months. Uniquely, CMP guarantees extended static performance of up to 45 days, thanks to the barnacle-repellent boost enabled by Selektope® combating barnacle settlement on the ship’s hull by temporarily stimulating the barnacle larvae’s swimming behaviour.

The organic, non-metal compound is the only one of its kind in a marine antifouling application. It is characterised by high efficacy at extremely low concentrations (approx.0.1% w/w), ultra-low leaching and flexibility to boost copper-based paint formulations or replace copper completely. Due to the low concentration needed, Selektope® does not compromise the chemical structure, colour or other cooperative biocides of a marine coating.

  

I-Tech Managing Director Philip Chaabane

For the inventors of Selektope®, Gothenburg-based I-Tech AB, the increase in the number of products on the market that harness the power of Selektope® is an encouraging sign of the confidence held by paint manufacturers in the technology. This latest product launch is set to be the first of many from manufacturers.

“As demand for Selektope® soars, the number of antifouling products that contain our unique bio-repellent ingredients is expanding. This ensures that ship owners and operators have a selection of products to choose from, and confirms the flexibility and compatibility of our product with a range of different antifouling ingredients,” said Philip Chaabane, CEO of I-Tech AB.

Marine coating products containing Selektope® have been applied to over 150 vessels to date, including tankers, container ships and LNG carriers, in a series of newbuilding and over-coating projects. I-Tech reports orders for coatings including Selektope® in the first part of 2017 were double those achieved in 2016.

Source: CMP