Marine antifouling paint
Marine antifouling paint (“bottom paint”) is exposed to increasingly stringent environmental requirements from authorities all over the world. Hardening restrictions and apprehension about the use of certain biocides in antifouling paint have made it attractive to develop degradable substances to be added to antifouling paint.
The product
Selektope® is a substance developed to avoid fouling of barnacles and other shell forming animals on boats and ships, a so called antifouling substance. It has proven to be effective in concentrations which are hundred times lower than heavy metal based antifouling substances.
How does it work?
The antifouling effect is exerted through stimulation of the swimming behavior of the barnacle larvae. It thereby makes the larvae unable to attach to a surface painted with Selektope®. As soon as the barnacle leaves the surface the effect disappears, i .e. it is reversible effect.
Small dose= high effect
Due to low dose it does not compromise the paints chemical structure, colour or other cooperative biocides involved.
The environment
Selektope® has a benign ecotoxicological profile due to its specific effects on the organisms that constitute hard fouling and its marginal impact on non-target species. The substance has the potential a long lasting effect in paint to meet the requirements on docking intervals from the shipping and boating industry.
Regulatory position
I-Tech has filed an application with the EU chemical authorities for Selektope® use in bottom paint for ships and boats.
I-Tech cooperates with several of the larger paint companies in developing new marine paint formulations containing Selektope®.
Volvo Penta has acquired the commercial rights to the technology for the leisure boat market.