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Substitute Toxic Products in the Antifouling Paint Market with AEROZYME - a Bio-based Product (A2M)
Start date: Mar 3, 2013, End date: Mar 2, 2016 PROJECT  FINISHED 

The objective for the project Substitute Toxic Products in the Antifouling Paint Market with AEROZYME - a Bio-based Product is to launch an enzyme-based active principle onto the antifouling paint market as a means of avoiding toxic chemicals in these paints.This bio-based product can be used in antifouling coatings for all marine installations. The problem the product solves is that all surfaces in a marine environment are a substrate for growth of bacteria, protozoa, algae, mussels and barnacles. This growth is called biofouling. The biofouled surfaces can be any solid object, e.g. stones, wood, offshore platforms, fishing nets or ships. As soon as objects like ships are launched into the marine environment, the biofouling growth process starts. Biofouling is a great challenge for any yacht owner and especially for the shipping industry. Biofouling reduces the speed of the vessel, which can influence safety, environmental impact and economy, because the vessel's manoeuvrability can be reduced and fuel consumption increased.At present, antifouling coatings on ships, yachts and marine installations contain toxic biocides, and especially heavy metals and copper. Harmful adverse effects of the biocides have been observed, such as toxicity to non-target organisms, imposex in gastropods and increased multi-resistance in bacteria. For these reasons, new alternative antifouling methods are needed that protect not only the hulls of vessels and but also the environment.
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