PHOTO COURTESY AKZONOBELPaint and coatings maker AkzoNobel this week announced the rollout of a biocide-free range of bottom paint products for the yacht coatings business. The first product in the range is B-Free Explore. It includes silicone-polymer technology that the company says creates a smooth, slick surface that helps to reduce drag.
According to AkzoNobel, hull fouling is controlled by preventing barnacles, slime and algae from forming bonds with the hull of the boat. Any organisms that do adhere can be simply wiped away by hand or water jet.
“We’ve developed high-performance technology which allows boaters to maintain a clean, smooth hull,” Simon Parker, director of AkzoNobel’s Marine and Protective Coatings business, said in a statement. “It’s based on proven technology and exemplifies the restless spirit of innovation which has been the cornerstone of our international brand for more than 140 years.”
B-Free Explore is created for recreational boats and can be applied to new hulls or over existing antifouling without the need for removing an existing antifouling coating. It makes it easier for boaters to upgrade from traditional coatings.
Because it’s biocide-free, B-Free Explore can also lead to a reduced carbon footprint. The product is currently being rolled out in Northern Europe and will be offered in Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Finland and Denmark in Jan. 2023.
