Selektope is included in Hempel’s GLOBIC 9500S product as part of a ‘Smart Biocide Package’. The new antifouling was specifically formulated with Selektope to deliver boosted static performance against hard fouling for idle ships during the outfitting process at shipyards.
The accumulation of biofouling on the ship hull is becoming an increasingly dominant issue for shipyards, particularly those located in warmer waters.
Newbuilds that lay idle in warming waters during the outfitting process can suffer the effects of intense fouling, which can impact both the newly applied coating and the vessel’s performance after leaving the shipyard. This has resulted in growing demand for antifouling solutions that can ensure static performance during outfitting.
Selektope is an organic, non-metal compound that repels barnacle settlement on ships’ hulls by temporarily stimulating the barnacle larvae’s swimming behaviour. It is characterised by high efficacy at extremely low concentrations (0.1% w/w), ultra-low leaching and flexibility to boost copper-based paint formulations or replace copper completely.
Tests have shown that antifouling coatings containing Selektope offer superior hard fouling protection, resulting in lower water resistance and decreased fuel consumption, in addition to reduced maintenance costs, the developer I-TECH claimed.
Philip Chaabane, I-TECH CEO, said: “As demand for Selektope soars, the number of antifouling products that contain our unique bio-repellent ingredient is increasing and we are proud that Hempel has selected our technology in response to market demand.
“It is yet more proof that our product is boosting the performance of sophisticated antifouling systems under harsh fouling conditions, such as those experienced during outfitting. Selektope is clearly adding value to the products that the major players offer.
“We recommend specifiers seek to establish what options coatings suppliers have to keep hulls free of hard fouling, and whether they are offering a truly organic alternative that achieves unmatched results,” he said.