Svenska tests copper carrier for biofouling resistance in Florida

United States. Svenska Aerogel expands testing of SeaQare, an advanced technology for antifouling paint in Florida, USA.

The aim of this new test is to demonstrate the efficacy of the product in a different geographical and environmental context.

SeaQare acts as a copper carrier in antifouling paints for pleasure boats and contributes to a controlled release of copper that protects boat hulls from fouling. It is based on amorphous and porous silica with a hydrophilic surface. It previously showed remarkable results in two independent static ocean tests conducted in Sweden.

"As we venture into the Florida Ocean Trial, we are proud of the positive and sustainable effect SeaQare has already demonstrated in Sweden," said Pernilla Ståhle, R+D Director at Svenska Aerogel.

"This time, we will be able to study the extraordinary resistance to biofouling or alternating coatings in a completely different environment, as well as in different types of coating formulations," he said.

The ongoing ocean test in Florida uses the same method as previous Swedish tests, static immersion test. Static immersion testing exposes materials and coatings to biofouling in a seawater environment, using test panels mounted on PVC frames.

The panels are studied and monitored for several months. They will also be compared to industry standards as well as coatings that are readily available in the U.S. market.

Before being shipped to the United States, the test panels were coated with antifouling paint containing SeaQare by the Swedish Research Institutes (RISE) in Borås. This time two different paint formulations were used, in addition to several optimized SeaQare formulations.

Once the panels arrived in the United States in mid-May, they were submerged in Port Caneveral by experts from the Center for Corrosion and Biofouling Control, which is part of the Florida Institute of Technology.

The panels will be inspected every two months until the test ends in September. The first evaluation is scheduled for mid-July.
At the same time as SeaQare's expanded testing, Svenska Aerogel is continuing with its patent application for the product. The company filed a PCT application in July 2023.