Description
Given HEMPEL’s experience in the marine industry as a leader in the business of antifouling paint for naval use, the company seeks to embark on the development of new antifouling paint that decreases up to 40% the leaching process of the biocide that the paint contains. Antifouling paint prevents the accumulation of organic material that attaches to the hulls of the vessels. To do so, the paint releases a biocide to the sea. The biocide normally used is copper oxide (Cu2O). Strong concentrations of biocide can cause adverse effects on marine life. Many research projects have been focused on solving this problem without acceptable results.The technological challenge posed by the project is in maintaining the balance between the reduction of copper and keeping the antifouling properties of the paint through the development of a new technology based on functional resins.The aim of this project is the development of functional resins in the field of antifouling paint that allows for a controlled biocide leaching and accumulation on the surface of the antifouling coating.
Summary of project results
Antifouling paint prevents the accumulation of organic material that attaches to the hulls of the vessels. To do so, the paint releases a biocide to the sea. The biocide usually uses copper oxide. Strong concentrations of biocide can cause adverse effects on marine life; hence the importance of controlling the leaching process of the biocides that these paints contain. The project sought to develop new antifouling paints that decreases up to 40% the leaching process of the biocide contained in them. The project use for antifouling functional resins compounds of natural origin that are produced as residues in other industries. This project seeks to find a use for residues that don’t have any further application. Through the project, we obtained a list of candidates of renewable origin with copper bonding capacity and adequate kinetics. Different formulations were made to determine the optimum candidate, after which real-time tests in the marine environment were conducted. These tests allowed for the study of the anti-fouling effect of the formulated paints. As a result, ethylcellulose was identified as the optimal candidate resin as it offers the desired anti-fouling effect while reducing the copper oxide present in conventional anti-fouling paints, thus offering a more environmentally friendly product. An added benefit is that the use of ethylcellulose, an industrial waste product, promotes reuse of waste.
Summary of bilateral results