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.
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 a cross global routes and through all seasons.
International Paint has also launched Intersleek® 1100SR, the shipping industry’s first biocide free, fluoropolymer technology that tackles the market’s age – old ‘slime challenge’. Slime, a complex, varied and dynamic organism which begins to colonise surfaces as soon as they enter the water, has been proven to have an adverse effect on the efficiency of all vessel types. According to a recent formula produced by Michael P. Schultz, Professor, Department of Naval Architecture & Ocean Engineering, US Naval Academy, at today’s bunker prices, the effects of slime potentially costs the shipping industry 44 million extra tonnes of bunker fuel, $28.6 billion in additional fuel costs and an extra 134 million tonnes of CO 2 emissions every year. Designed for all commercial vessels, even when slow or ultra slow steaming, new Intersleek ® 1100SR slime release technology delivers outstanding macro and micro fouling control with good static resistance even in warm waters.
[mappress] Shipbuilding Tribune Staff, March 4, 2013; Video: IntlPaintMarine/youtube