Nippon Paint Marine uses biomimetics for next gen hull coatings

Marine coatings giant, Nippon Paint Marine, has released its whitepaper entitled, Breathing life into science; creating the next generation of hull coatings using biomimetics, which details the role that biomimetic (technology that imitates nature) has played in the development of its patented HydroSmoothXT technology.

According to Nippon, by replicating the natural surficial film found on the skin of marine life, its researchers have been able to develop coatings that minimise friction, reduce fuel consumption, and lower vessel emissions.

The specialist team from Nippon Paint Marine’s R&D programme, which included experts in polymer science, biochemistry, fluid dynamics and marine science, studied the natural characteristics of marine life to inform the development of the HydroSmoothXT technology. The company says the performance of Nippon Paint Marine’s antifouling coatings range – which include LF-Sea, A-LF-Sea, and FASTAR – has been enhanced using this technology, and has been applied to more than 5,000 vessels. 

While biomimetic technologies are already used in some coatings in the leisure marine market, as the industry looks to innovative technologies to help achieve the industry’s decarbonisation targets, technologies that build upon hull efficiency and push technological boundaries will have a trickle down effect.

Nippon Paint Marine has collaborated with organisations including Kobe and Osaka Universities on this project.

The research team focused on replicating the natural characteristics to aid in the development of specifically designed hydrogels for paints; the scientific theory being that a hull coating could be created that essentially ‘traps’ a layer of seawater against the surface membrane, which increases the boundary layer around a vessel’s hull, and reduces friction. Subsequent products such as LF-Sea and A-LF-Sea, which incorporated this enhanced performance hydrogel, generated fuel and emissions savings of up to 12.3 per cent.

The development in Nippon Paint Marine’s antifouling range was further enhanced by the introduction of nanotechnology. The FASTAR product range uses a unique hydrophilic and hydrophobic nanodomain resin structure to achieve unparalleled antifouling performance, which can deliver fuel savings of over 14 per cent thanks to an average speed loss of just 1.2 per cent over a 60-month period, compared to the market average speed loss of 5.9 per cent over a similar time period. 

Earlier this year, the manufacturer of biocide-free marine coatings, appointed Gladys Goh as its president.

Kazuaki Masuda, corporate officer, technical division director, Nippon Paint Marine, says: “The development of our patented hydrogel and nanodomain technologies typifies our commitment to customer-centric innovation. Maritime owners and operators face a web of constantly evolving challenges, and it is the mission of our R&D team to deliver pioneering technology that supports the industry as it navigates these challenges. At Nippon Paint Marine, we believe that by studying the secrets of the natural environment, we can continue to develop even more innovations that will play a vital role in contributing to the maritime industry’s efforts to decarbonise.”

The whitepaper: “Breathing life into science; creating the next generation of hull coatings using biomimetics” can be downloaded here.

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