I-Tech AB, the developers of the anti-fouling biotechnology Selektope^®, and LANXESS, a global specialty chemical company, have successfully combined each company’s anti-fouling coating technologies. Static tests of anti-fouling coating formulations containing Selektope and the SEA NINE™ family of biocides were conducted in multiple marine environments worldwide with differing biofouling risk. Positive results obtained have provided proof of concept. Additionally, a data pool of coating formulations has been developed that can be used by anti-fouling coating manufacturers to support the trialing of new combinations of existing, available biocides without the need to conduct initial R&D exploration activities.

I-Tech’s technology, Selektope, and LANXESS’ technologies, SEA-NINE™ 211N and SEA-NINE ULTRA, belong to a set of active agents that are approved by regulatory bodies for ship repair and ship building markets. This joint R&D work undertaken by I-Tech and LANXESS represents the first time that these solutions have been used as co-biocides in marine anti-fouling coating formulations.

For the past 12 months, I-Tech and LANXESS have worked together to develop active ingredient compositions that comprise varying concentrations of Selektope, SEA-NINE 211N, and SEA-NINE ULTRA with other commonly used ingredients for marine anti-foulant applications. A total of 35 paint formulations with a 12-month lifespan were developed and put into static testing environments in the Caribbean, Eastern North Sea, North Mediterranean, and in the Japanese Sea. After six months, all test paint formulations had performed as good, or better than, the commercial paint references. Formulations with SEA-NINE ULTRA (2%) and Selektope (0.1%) content showed excellent performance at reduced total biocide concentrations.

“This year, the I-Tech R&D team is harvesting the results from many successful collaborative projects undertaken with fellow anti-fouling technology developers,” said Markus Hoffmann, Ph.D., technical director at I-Tech. “We believe this is the only way forward when trying to ensure that our technology helps the maritime industry to tackle increasing biofouling issues. Biocidal anti-fouling coatings are here to stay, and at I-Tech, we are invested in ensuring that the technology available now can be used to best effect in the future by providing performance across as many different potential application scenarios as possible.”

For more information, visit: www.i-tech.se and www.selektope.com.