Anti-fouling reduced with Polycraft innovation

by Bob Wonders on 9 Dec 2008 This innovative technology is normally added to anti-foulants, but in Polycraft’s case it is incorporated into the raw material form which the boats are moulded.

Hire boat groups, commercial fishing operators and government agencies will be among the beneficiaries of an exciting innovation being offered by Bundaberg-based Polycraft, manufacturer of the popular moulded boat range.

After extensive evaluation in cooperation with a European chemical firm, Polycraft boats are now offered with a unique process which greatly inhibits the need for regular anti-fouling.

Polycraft director Grainger McFarlane, said the company was not promising that anti-fouling would be eliminated, but he said fleet owners with boats left in the water for long periods would find the time and effort in bottom painting 'extremely minimized.'

'We have been working closely in evaluating and testing this product for more than 12 months,' he said.

'It is technology is perhaps best described as a rapidly biodegradable settlement inhibitor and allows Polycraft to offer a hull which resists the growth of marine organisms without the constant need for e-painting,' he explained.

The innovative technology is normally added to anti-foulants, but in Polycraft’s case it is incorporated into the raw material form which the boats are moulded.

'Importantly, it offers global environmental acceptance and compatibility with range of key features and benefits,' McFarlane added.

'It is a highly-effective anti-fouling agent inhibiting the growth of bacterial slime, algae, barnacles, tubeworms and other marine growth.

'This is a product which has gained the first-ever Green Chemistry Challenge Award for the design of safe chemical products granted by the United States Environmental Protection Agency,' he added.

In addition to boat and ship hulls, it is equally effective employed on buoys and other structures such as marina arms and wharf piling.

The technology achieves its ability to control marine growth by interfering with the micro-organism settlement process, preventing the initial colonisation to the area applied by marine organism.

'We are quite excited to be introducing this innovation to the Polycraft range and initially it will be offered as an option on all models ordered in white or safety yellow,' he explained.

'Being brand-new technology, the raw material is only available in limited quantity and we have chosen those two colours for their popularity, as far as white is concerned, and for high visibility with the yellow.

'It may become available through the entire colour range, but that’s a decision we shall leave for the future,' he added.

For information, contact Darren Morgan, Polycraft, Bundaberg, telephone (07) 4131-3452 or e-mail darrenmorgan@polyindustries.com