US coatings manufacturer launches anti-foul product

US based PPG Protective and Marine Coatings (PPG) has launched a new entry-level anti-foul coating. A member of the Sigma range of coatings, SIGMA SYLADVANCE 700, is said to have been formulated for ships working at medium to high rates of operation and medium speeds.

The new coating, according to PPG, is based on patented silyl acrylate polymer technology and offers self-smoothing properties, which provide fouling protection. In addition, the coating is said to consist of an untainted binder, which contributes to an uncompromised and predictable linear polishing pattern, resulting in reduced frictional drag and improved anti-foul protection.

Sijmen Visser, Global Marketing Manager Marine said: “Antifouling coatings have evolved over the past decade, in some part due to technological advances, but also because of the very real need for vessel operators to reduce fuel costs whilst continuing to optimise voyage efficiency.

“Silyl-acrylate technology is at the forefront of the drive to reduce fuel spend, which in many cases can take up 50 percent of an entire ship’s daily operating costs. PPG has been working hard to develop hardwearing, environmentally-sound products that can offer fuel savings.”

Visser added that the coating can be specified for dry dock maintenance and repair projects, stating that owners and operators can confidently expect to achieve a controlled performance for up to 60 months.

The new coating is from the same family as SIGMA SYLADVANCE 800, a silyl acrylate antifouling that has been in service over the last decade.

More information on the full range of Sigma marine coatings can be found here.