New eco-friendly coating to propel ocean economy
A novel marine antifouling coating, developed by a research team from South China University of Technology, has achieved large-scale applications in various fields including shipbuilding and maintenance, as well as wave energy power generation platforms, undersea data centers and marine ranches. According to Zhang Guangzhao, a professor with the university’s School of Materials Science and ...
A groundbreaking marine antifouling coating, crafted by researchers at South China University of Technology, is set to revolutionize the ocean economy, according to professor Zhang Guangzhao. This innovative coating, which relies on dynamic surface regeneration to repel marine organisms rather than toxic biocides, is making waves across various industries, including shipbuilding, wave energy power generation, undersea data centers, and marine ranches.
The coating's primary components are controllable degradation polymer materials, such as polyester-polyurethane and polyester-polyacrylate. As seawater naturally degrades the ester groups within this material, a self-renewing surface emerges, preventing biofouling organisms from attaching to submerged structures. This eco-friendly approach eliminates the need for heavy-metal biocides and prevents microplastic pollution, making it highly beneficial for marine ecosystems.
With an annual production capacity of 5,000 to 6,000 metric tons, the new coating is already being utilized by major players in the industry, such as COSCO Shipping, China State Shipbuilding Corporation, China National Offshore Oil Corporation, and LESSO. By incorporating natural-product-based antifouling ingredients, the coating adheres to the principle of "derive from the ocean, apply to the ocean."
This eco-innovative development has the potential to significantly reduce the $50 billion in annual economic losses caused by marine biofouling worldwide, with China alone accounting for approximately $15 billion of these losses.
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