New Selektope®-powered antifouling paint launched for the Japanese leisure boat market

Philip Chaabane, CEO - I-Tech AB © I-Tech

Chugoku Marine Paints (CMP), leading hull coating manufacturer has integrated Selektope® in a new antifouling coating product developed specifically for leisure boats.

The newly launched product, Seajet 033 Premium, will meet the growing hard fouling prevention needs for boats sailing in warming waters with increasing biofouling risk off the coast of Japan.

Formulated specifically for leisure vessels that operate in regions with some of the highest risk of fouling in the world, CMP's 'Seajet 033 Premium' hull coating combines copper oxide and Selektope® to combat fouling. Selektope® is widely recognised as a leading sustainable barnacle fouling prevention technology; creating significant hull optimisation efficiencies. By temporarily stimulating the barnacle larvae's swimming behaviour, Selektope® combats barnacle settlement on the boat hull, with non-fatal effect.

I-Tech CEO Philip Chaabane commented: "The risk of fouling is growing around the world. Oceans are warming, and this means that biofouling hotspots are becoming even more risky to vessels. As authorities around the world clamp down on the spread of invasive species, it's more important than ever that owners have a full range of options at their disposal to combat fouling. We're proud to be bringing industry-leading protection from the commercial shipping world to the leisure boat coating market."

Barnacle fouling has a severe impact on vessel performance and is some of the most difficult type of fouling to remove, requiring intensive, abrasive cleaning that can damage the antifouling paint.