AkzoNobel launches Intersleek 1000 biocide-free coating

It aims to help switching to more sustainable shipping easier for ship owners and operators, offering fuel and CO2 savings of up to 6%.

Robert Wong, marketing director at AkzoNobel Marine Coatings, said: “The launch of Intersleek 1000 acknowledges the need to provide choice and diversity to our customers by developing coatings that recognize the differing preferences and operational requirements of ship owners and operators looking to invest in more sustainable hull coatings.”

The technology incorporates bio-renewable raw material that helps to deliver enhanced vessel performance, so that hulls coated with Intersleek 1000 can maintain a smooth surface, reducing drag to lower fuel consumption and emissions.

Its long-term fouling control performance of Intersleek 1000 is equivalent to a self-polishing copolymer (SPC) coating.

The new product is also eligible to be included in AkzoNobel’s award-winning carbon credits initiative.

Mr Wong continued: “Thanks to Intersleek 1000’s Lanion technology, we can offer an alternative sustainable coating option, which supports the widespread adoption of eco-efficiency technologies while meeting our commitment to developing innovative coatings in a sustainable way.”

“This will boost the operational and environmental performance of the shipping industry, as well as improving efficiencies and profitability for ship owners and operators.”

A Ro-Ro vessel coated with Intersleek 1000 generated 1,500 carbon credits during a five-year in-service trial.

The 1,500 carbon credits represent the removal of 1,500 tonnes of CO2 from the atmosphere and were accrued through a 6% fuel saving that was independently validated and verified by RINA Services and the Gold Standard Foundation.

“As a tangible demonstration of our confidence in Intersleek1000, customers will be offered performance guarantees in their Performance Maintenance Agreements (PMA) for Intersleek1000,” said Mr Wong.

He concluded: “These include guaranteed degradation of no more than 4.5% for the full duration of the five-year docking cycle.”

“More information on the exact operational, cost and environmental efficiencies delivered by Intersleek1000 on unique vessels and fleets can be accessed through our big data constancy tool Intertrac Vision.”