The fouling control range of AkzoNobel improves hull efficiency and helps to reduce carbon footprint for leisure boating.
The Yacht Coatings business of AkzoNobel
has presented a new biocide-free fouling control range that will improve the sustainability and the efficiency of recreational boaters. The first product of the family, the B-Free Explore antifouling, features a specially-developed silicone polymer technology which produces an exceptionally smooth and slick hull – helping to reduce drag.
“We have developed high-performance technology which allows boaters to maintain a clean, smooth hull. 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,” has declared Simon Parker, the director of the Marine and Protective Coatings Division of AkzoNobel.
B-Free Explore has been specifically crafted for the leisure boat market after a five-year development programme. It can be applied to new hulls or directly to existing antifouling, without the need for the removal of the previous coating. It also provides a smooth surface for improved hull efficiencies, which can lead to a reduced carbon footprint.
“Boaters are becoming more aware of the impact they can have on the environment, but they still require technologies that deliver high-performance fouling control. B-Free Explore provides a stand-out solution for both of these challenges. Ultimately, the innovations at the heart of B-Free Explore allow boaters to focus more on what truly matters to them – being out on the water,” has added Jemma Lampkin, the global commercial director for the Yacht Coatings business of AkzoNobel.
Currently available Northern Europe, B-Free Explore will be rolled out across Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden in January 2023.