Antifouling innovation in a highly regulated market
Cecilia Ohlauson of I-Tech outlines the challenges in the way of the development of a new biocide
Barnacles can cause serious damage to the bottom of ships and boats
At the end of the 20th century , a group of Swedish researchers discovered that the pharmaceutical substance medetomidine ( Figure 1 ) could be used to hinder barnacles from settling . This was a very important finding , since the challenge of preventing the accumulation of marine biofouling on wetted surfaces is ongoing and is only going to get worse . The effects of biofouling , particularly from hard-shelled creatures , are very detrimental to marine operations , and can increase fuel use and emissions . However , regulatory restrictions around biocidal control in recent years have significantly tightened the number of available biocides to control the problem .
Development of Selektope
Following the initial discovery of medetomidine ’ s repellent effect on barnacle larvae , a large research project was initiated at The University of Gothenburg and Chalmers University of Technology to explore the effectiveness of alternative antifouling substances . Medetomidine was the focal point . Gothenburg-based company I-Tech joined the research project as a business partner in 2000 and sought to commericalise the use of medetomidine in marine antifouling coatings under the brand name Selektope . The long development journey from initial trials of the biotechnology to its use on vessel hulls around the world commenced . During the first ten years of development , much of the focus was spent understanding the active substance . Extensive efforts were made to gain insight into the substance ’ s mode of action on barnacles and at which concentrations the substance was most efficient at causing effect . The leaching behaviour of paint and possible environmental risks of using Selektope commercially was also examined in great depth . The regulatory landscape for new biocidal substances is complex
26 ESTABLISHED 1981