Evonik plans to develop a new coating to make the hull "invisible" to microorganisms and protect it from biological membranes, algae, and shellfish. This is beneficial to world economic development and global climate change. The continuous growth of such "bio-fouling" will increase the fuel consumption of ships and increase the global carbon dioxide emissions of the oceans. According to IMO forecasts, billions of dollars are spent each year on biofouling. Evonik is committed to developing a new type of environmentally friendly coating to deal with biofouling and provide a solution to this problem. The coating will confuse microbes, causing them to mistake the hull in front of them for seawater, so they no longer try to inhabit it.
The problem of biofouling has long plagued global shipping companies: the presence of microorganisms on the hull will make the smooth hull surface rough. This will increase the friction in the water and reduce the speed of the ship. In addition, ships need more power to maintain their speed, which will increase fuel costs and negatively affect the environment. Shipping accounts for approximately 90% of global freight volume.
"Bio-deposition is one of the unsolved problems in the coatings industry. So far, we have not found the best marine coating solution, which meets the requirements of high efficiency and environmental protection. This is also the anti-bio-deposition coating as our new intelligent surface solution technology The reason for the important issues of the center. "Said Stefan Silber, head of coating additives innovation management of Evonik's resource efficiency business segment. At the technology center, the research carried out by experts is not limited to marine coatings, but also includes anti-freeze protective coatings, antibacterial coatings and dust-proof surfaces.
To solve the problem of hull biofouling, Evonik scientists have adopted a strategy in the new coatings: they combine hydrophobic silicone and hydrophilic polymers to form amphiphilic polymers, and the hydrophilic and hydrophobic regions alternate. The hydrophilic area draws water to the hull, forming a water shell around the polymer, making the hull "invisible" to microorganisms. Constant transformation with the hydrophobic region can further confuse Weisheng
Objects: They cannot clearly identify the surface of the hull or the hull from the sea. due to
With this uncertainty, they usually choose to stay away from the hull.
If microorganisms are still inhabiting the hull, the anti-adhesion effect of the hydrophobic area will become the second defense mechanism: the basic material of this new anti-biofouling solution is SILICOPON® EF silicone hybrid resin produced by Evonik, The product ensures that microorganisms have a hard time getting on the hull from the start. This is due to the ultra-low surface tension and extremely smooth surface of silicone products, which give them easy-to-clean properties. Microbes cannot attach firmly to the hull, those who fortunately
The microorganisms staying on the hull will be washed away by the current even when the ship is sailing at low speed.
"As a result, we have adopted a proven product and expanded Evonik's expertise. As a result, we have successfully developed a new coating solution to solve the problem of biofouling of the hull without the need to directly eliminate Microbes, "Silber said. R & D personnel have made positive progress in developing innovative products: field tests under real conditions have proven that this new hybrid system is effective. At present, scientists are collaborating with customers in the industry to jointly develop coatings based on this new system.
Scientists are also confident that extending the coating recoating cycle will help shipping companies reduce maintenance costs and mitigate the negative effects of high fuel consumption caused by biofouling.