Approximately 80% of antifouling coatings are copper-based, a major cost factor susceptible to economic conditions. Post-corona supply constraints have caused copper price spikes. A weight breakdown of large vessel paint reveals up to 40% as cuprous oxide.
To tackle copper-related cost fluctuations, it’s crucial to explore alternative approaches for reduced copper usage while maintaining coating effectiveness. Innovative solutions can help mitigate price impacts, providing more economically stable coating options for the industry.

Consumers are ready

The shipping industry is mature
for a transformation

Legislation will restrict coatings,
favouring ultra-low-biocide options

EnCoats technology support the following UN Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs)

A tremendous
dilemma

Encapsulation works today — and minimises environmental impact

Copper is the
major cost

The time is now

Should we sacrifice
the atmosphere?
In the absence of proper protection, the underside of vessels is susceptible to significant marine biofouling. Heavy biofouling can result in a substantial increase in fuel consumption, up to 50%, leading to poor fuel efficiency and higher CO₂ emissions.
The shipping industry accounts for nearly 3% of the world’s total CO₂ emissions.
Or poison the sea?
The solution today is antifouling coatings. All cost-efficient coatings are toxic to marine organisms making up the fouling. Unfortunately, coatings contain toxic additives so-called biocides, which are released into the ocean contaminating marine life.
Annually, 15,000 tons of copper are discharged into the oceans due to antifouling coatings, equivalent to the weight of a blue whale.

Efficient
Using encapsulation technology, equivalent antifouling performance can be obtained with as little as half the amount of biocides by encapsulation.

Cost Effective
Reducing the biocide, and in particular the copper, results in up to 20% cost savings today. It could be even more in the future as copper demand is growing.

Environmental Impact
The reduction in biocides can reduce the environmental impact with up to 50%.

Weight % of typical maritime paint

Traditional antifouling coatings often rely on excessive biocides to compensate for their tendency to leach into the sea before proper usage.
EnCoat’s technology, however, encapsulates the co-biocides, extending their antifouling effectiveness. This ultra-low-biocide innovative approach allows for up to a 50% reduction in the required amounts of biocides while maintaining the same level of protection.

Copper constitutes up to 40% of the total weight in typical wet marine coatings. The demand for copper is projected to witness substantial growth in the upcoming decades, driven in part by the shift towards electrification.
As copper demand rises, industries reliant on copper will seek to reduce dependency, mitigating potential future pricing risks.

Hundreds of tests show equivalent or better performance compared to traditional more toxic coatings. The encapsulation technology has been proven both statically through panel tests and dynamically in the yacht market.

Control (non-coated panel)

Commercial SPC coating

EnCoat SPC test coating

Cleaner coating.
Cleaner oceans.

EnCoat cuts the dilemma in half
and lowers the cost

Growing demand: Implications for
copper and coatings

Same or better performance

From research to reality:
Minimizing CO₂ impact while preserving oceans

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