Hull coating concept introduced

The technology, dubbed ActiGuard®, was in development for five years and is based on silicone-hydrogel and biocide science. Hempaguard® is available as two separate products: Hempaguard® X5 and Hempaguard® X7, for docking intervals of 36 and 90 months, respectively.
Hempel said its tests on the coating showed excellent fouling resistance of up to 120 days during idle periods plus fuel savings of 6% on average.
Developed against the background of rising bunkering costs, tightening environmental regulations and mandatory Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plans (SEEMPs), Hempel’s patented ActiGuard® integrates silicone-hydrogel and full diffusion control of biocides in a single coating.
Hempaguard® releases 95% less biocide than a standard SPC (self-polishing co-polymer antifouling), Hempel said, and requires only one coat compared with the two or three normally necessary for antifouling. The surface has the same smoothness as conventional biocide-free, silicone-based fouling release coatings.