International. Marine coatings manufacturer Hempel announced that since 1998 it has reached the goal of having sold 100 million liters of its micro-fiber-based antifouling paint. The equivalent of 45,000 coated vessels.
In 1994, Hempel obtained the patent for micro-fiber based antifouling technology in its Nautic Tin-Free 8190C product. Today, this technology is incorporated into all of the brand's scale prevention products. The technology involves introducing an internal skeleton of fibers into the paint to improve its mechanical strength – in the same way that steel bars can be inserted concrete to reinforce a physical structure.
"Our micro-fiber coatings give the advantage of a stronger product that doesn't crack or peel off. Antifouling products offer exceptional protection, but due to their chemical composition, their mechanical strength is often weak. That is, a high degree of antifouling products, means a greater risk of cracking. To combat this, we have developed our silicate-based micro-fiber technology, which helps reduce costs in dry docks," said Andreas Glud, Hempel's chief product officer.
Christian Ottosen, Marketing Director of the Marino Group, commented: "Through research and development activities, we strive to offer products with exceptional properties. In this case, we were aware that all antifouling suffers from resistance problems, so we invested in technology to improve our paints. We are pleased to announce that we have now sold 100 million liters of micro-fiber base coatings. This clearly demonstrates that we are in a position to meet market demands and assist stakeholders in the maritime industry."
