Biozide free coating paste for macrofouling protection
Marine macrofouling organisms such as macroalgae and (gooseneck) barnacles choose underwater surfaces for colonization. The biofouling process leads to the loss of function by increasing weight, friction, fuel consumption, and microbial corrosion.
Under hydrodynamic pressure biofoulers detach from yielding substrates. Based on this biophysical principle specific yielding coatings have been developed at the Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research activating the self-cleaning and counteracting biofouling of underwater surfaces.
Primarily developed to maintain the operation of floating hydrophone cables applied in marine seismic experiments our know-how has been expanded to protect nettings in mariculture and oceanographic equipment deployed in deep sea and cold water. Applications highly demanding non-biocidal protective coatings were developed on the basis of different compositions of non-toxic substances exhibiting an adjustable yield point defining the transition from solid to floating state.

Features and Benefits

• Low cost solution to prevent macrofouling
• Ready-to-use after application (no drying time)
• Re-coatable under water (coating repair), if necessary
• Coating transferrable to the dry surface by spraying, wiping or dipping.
• Self-smoothing under shear stress above its flow point. Friction reducing effect on the surface to be protected
• Non-biocidal and no organic volatiles
• Ideal thickness 0.5 to 1 mm to protect surfaces under heavy fouling pressure for up to six months.

Intellectual Property Situation

European patent EP 1 620 522, granted, nationalized to DE, UK, FR, NL, ES, IT. Patent applications " Viscoelastic coating paste for protecting against macrofouling and method for producing a coating" in US (10/545,596) and Australia (2004211443), and Norway (2005 4054) disclosed, pending. IP rights are co-owned by AWI and CGG Veritas.