Selektope, the antifouling technology developed by Swedish biotechnology company I-Tech, will be a major component in hull coating manufacturer Chugoku Marine Paints’ (CMP) new domestic marine coating range.
I-Tech’s long-term partner, CMP, has integrated Selektope into two new antifouling paint products designed for coastal vessels in order to meet the growing hard fouling prevention needs for vessels sailing and docking in biofouling hotspots off the coast of Japan.
Compared with transocean vessels, coastal vessels are often at an increased fouling risk due to larger amounts of time spent stationary in port and their low speed operation, frequently in waters with high risk of fouling. Chugoku´s expansion increases the availability of Selektope-based products to a wider range of coastal ships in Japan most susceptible to biofouling.
Philip Chaabane, CEO of I-Tech, said: “The expansion shows clear commitment from CMP as well as an extraordinary level of technical advancement in bringing out the best of our technology. CMP has a leading position in their home market, Japan, and with this introduction of two new products they have no less than six Selekotope based products for the domestic coastal vessel market. This is also a sign that our recent regulatory investments in Japan has been important to support product emissions.”
Selektope is an active agent which, when added to paints and coatings, effectively repels barnacles. The ingredient is widely recognised as a highly efficient and sustainable barnacle fouling prevention product.
