AkzoNobel has teamed up with Netherlands based healthcare company Royal Philips to develop ultraviolet light-emitting diodes fouling prevention technology.
The system will use technology developed by Royal Philips with the aim of combining experience from both companies to produce an economically viable solution for underwater fouling prevention.
The system will integrate UV light-emitting diodes in a protective coating, which AkzoNobel says will allow for the UV light to be emitted from the coating surface, preventing biofouling from accumulating.
“In our sustainable fouling control initiative, we actively explore and develop alternatives to biocidal-based solutions,” said Oscar Wezenbeek, director of AkzoNobel Marine and Protective Coatings. “This development is a great proof point of our continuous focus on delivering eco-friendly solutions to our customers.”
And the organisation says that complexities will be overcome and the technology will revolutionise the fouling control industry.
Initially, the focus will be on applications for ships, yachts and offshore assets, but the project could potentially be extended to include other surfaces challenged by bio-fouling issues.
“This unique project is fully aligned with AkzoNobel’s continuous focus on innovation,” added Klaas Kruithof, AkzoNobel’s chief technology officer. “In our quest to not only protect and colour, but also functionalise surfaces, we actively look for complementary technologies and partners to innovate with.
“In this case, the combined capabilities and technology of Royal Philips and AkzoNobel will enable us to accelerate the realisation of this transformative innovation, which we intend to initially market ourselves and consider licensing out to third parties for large-scale adoption.”
The system will be biocide-free.