The paint that launched 1000 ships
Hempel – the leading global coatings manufacturer – has applied Hempaguard®, its award-winning fouling defence coating, to more than 1000 ships. The one thousandth full-vessel coating was achieved in April.
The unrivalled fuel-saving properties of Hempaguard means that, collectively, the owners of these 1000 vessels have reduced their annual bunker bill by more than USD 400 million. This corresponds to a reduction in CO2 emissions of more than three million tonnes every year.
After just five years on the market the high-performance fouling defence coating has surpassed every expectation. Hempaguard is suitable for, and has been applied to, all vessel types.
Commenting on this milestone, Hempel’s Global Product Manager, Henrik Dyrholm, says:
“Reaching this significant number of full vessel applications for Hempaguard in such a short time-period is a true testament to the value-added delivered by this innovative product. We have proven that Hempaguard delivers up to six percent fuel savings and retains its effectiveness during extended idle periods of up to 120 days.”
He went on to say: “At Hempel, we pride ourselves on our investment in R&D and creating customer focused innovative products and services. Customer feedback has been unequivocally positive with shipowners realising significant returns on investment from Hempaguard.”
Driving the success of Hempaguard is Hempel’s market-leading Actiguard® technology. This combines a smooth silicone coating with the consistent release of limited biocides through a hydrogel layer.
This unique technology was five years in development and was launched in 2013 against a backdrop of tightening environmental regulations and an increasing push to reduce CO2 emissions. Hempaguard is the first Hempel product to use this technology and based on this, Hempel was the first company to offer a performance satisfaction guarantee.
Five years on, the industry continues to seek enhanced environmental performance as well as optimum efficiencies. Hempaguard is a tried, tested and proven solution and its application to 1000 vessels speaks volumes.
The high-performance fouling defence coating has won two industry awards so far. In October 2014, Hempaguard was awarded the Shipping Efficiency’s prestigious Environmental Technology award for making “a significant contribution to environmental impact reduction or prevention to ships”. In late 2015, Hempaguard was also awarded the International Bulk Journal Innovative Technology Award for the development of the ground-breaking Actiguard technology.
Hempaguard X7 at a glance:
- Six per cent fuel savings compared with best-in-class antifoulings over the entire docking interval
- Excellent fouling resistance for idle periods of up to120 days 95 per cent less biocide than traditional antifoulings
- Vessels complying with a full
- Hempaguard X7 specification are offered a performance satisfaction guarantee
Hempaguard X5 at a glance:
- Efficient fouling prevention during the entire service interval for up to 36 months for any type of vessel with any trading pattern
- Based on Hempel’s patented Actiguard low-friction fusion technology
- Combines the best from the hydrogel silicone and biocidal antifoulings
- Documented performance and a long track record
- Guaranteed fouling resistance for up to 60 idle days
About Hempel
As a world-leading supplier of trusted coating solutions, Hempel is a global company with strong values, working with customers in the decorative, marine, infrastructure and energy industries. Hempel factories, R&D centres and stock points are established in every region.
Across the globe, Hempel’s paints and coatings can be found in almost every country of the world. They protect and beautify buildings, infrastructure and other assets, and play an essential role in our customers’ businesses. They help minimise maintenance costs, improve aesthetics and increase energy efficiency.
At Hempel, our purpose is to shape a brighter future with sustainable coating solutions. We firmly believe that we will succeed as a business only if we place sustainability at our heart. Not only is it the right thing to do, it will strengthen our competitive position, make ourselves more resilient and reduce our risk.
Hempel was founded in Copenhagen, Denmark in 1915. It is proudly owned by the Hempel Foundation, which ensures a solid economic base for the Hempel Group and supports cultural, social, humanitarian and scientific purposes around the world.
