In December, global coating supplier Hempel A/S announced that it had enhanced its Olympic+ and Oceanic+ antifouling range. As a result of the updated technology, the company launched five new antifouling solutions: Oceanic Protect+, Oceanic Flex+, Olympic Protect+, Olympic Flex+ and Olympic Protect.

According to the press release, Hempel’s Olympic+ and Oceanic+ antifouling coatings have been protecting vessels since 2009 and 2012, respectively. Through the new, reformulated products, the company reports that the coatings now have higher volume solids, high dry film thickness per coat and lower VOCs. The company says that the changes reveal higher performance rates due to better control of the leached layer and an enhanced mechanical strength.

As a result of the changes, Hempel reports that the new antifouling solutions reduce time, costs and emissions during application.

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In December, global coating supplier Hempel A/S announced that it had enhanced its Olympic+ and Oceanic+ antifouling range.

The coatings have also been designed to suit a multitude of trading patterns and conditions, including:

• Olympic Protect, Olympic Protect+ (for medium to high activity levels) and Olympic Flex+ (for low activity levels) are based on ion-exchange technology and give protection for up to 25 idle days and up to 60-months service interval; and
• Oceanic Protect+ (for medium to high activity levels) and Oceanic Flex+ (for low activity levels) are based on zinc carboxylate technology and protect for up to 30 idle days and 60-months service interval. These coatings also deliver a maximum of 5.5 per cent speed loss.

“Hempel’s antifouling product range caters for every vessel and every owner and we are proud that our Oceanic+ and Olympic+ range has been able to deliver through the years reliable fouling control at such an effective cost,” said Marianna Sioni, Marine Group Product Manager, Antifouling coatings. “Building on this success, we have invested in re-formulating these products to enhance their performance so that we can continue to offer proven solutions for a low upfront investment, supported by Hempel’s world-class global service. In short, this is proven antifouling performance reinvented".

All five reformulated products utilize Hempel’s reinvented Smartfibre technology, adding 20% in fiber content. The enhanced fibers, which fit parallel to the surface, provide a smooth and uniform removal of the leached layer which facilitates a well-controlled polishing rate and biocide release. Because of the increase in fibers, the coating will reportedly achieve a smoother and fouling-free hull throughout the service period.