I-Tech AB Signs Largest Selektope Order with Chugoku Marine Paints

I-Tech AB, the Swedish developer of the bio-repellent antifouling ingredient Selektope, has signed a significant supply agreement with one of the industry’s leading paint manufacturers representing the largest ever single order of the technology to-date.

The large volume order was placed by Japanese paint manufacturer Chugoku Marine Paints (CMP) as part of a long-term supply agreement between I-Tech and CMP to support the growth of CMP’s Selektope-containing antifouling product portfolio.The supply agreement was confirmed in response to increasing demand for CMP marine coatings that contain the unique antifouling ingredient and provides the option for CMP to further increase the order value as required.

“This significant order for Selektope demonstrates how I-Tech’s antifouling technology is meeting market demand for increased hard fouling prevention performance from marine coatings,” said I-Tech AB CEO Philip Chaabane. “For I-Tech, securing this significant supply agreement with one of the major paint manufacturers provides evidence of the major impact that our technology continues to make. With this long-term agreement in place, I-Tech can continue to focus on further improving operations and the strength of the Selektope supply chain to ensure commercial competitiveness for our technology.”

Added Hideyuki Tanaka, director & chief of Technical and Production Headquarter CMP: “Securing CMP’s commercial relationship with I-Tech to support the strong demand received for Selektope-containing products offered by CMP is of great importance.”

Selektope is an organic, non-metal compound that works to prevent barnacle fouling by temporarily activating the swimming behaviorof barnacle cyprid larvae, making it impossible for them to settle on the hull. It is characterized by high efficacy at extremely low concentrations, is ultra-low leaching and offers paint manufacturers the flexibility to boost copper-based paint formulations or replace copper completely.

In 2016, CMP launched the first Selektope-containing antifouling coating range onto the market following extensive trialling under two separate brands: SEAFLO NEO CF PREMIUM; and SEAFLO NEO-S PREMIUM.  

SEAFLO NEO CF PREMIUM is based on zinc polymer technology and is a coating with an in-service life exceeding five years, ideal for oceangoing vessels operating worldwide. SEAFLO NEO-S PREMIUM, is based on silyl polymer technology, and specifically targets ‘low activity’ vessels such as static vessels during outfitting in shipyards. In 2017, CMP launched a brand-new productbased on hydrolyzing technology- SEA GRANDPRIX 880HS PLUS. Uniquely, CMP guarantees extended static performance of up to 45 days for this product, thanks to the barnacle-repellent boost enabled by Selektope.