Innovative coating for aquaculture nets with environmentally friendly antifouling action

The aim is to produce new materials for aquaculture nets with an antifouling action that is also environmentally friendly. Micro- and macroorganisms, the so-called biofouling, quickly settle on surfaces under water. More and more freshwater and marine fish is bred in ponds, breeding tanks and net cages worldwide. The nets used in fish farming are also largely impregnated with copper-based coatings and release environmentally-toxic copper compounds into the water. The highest metal concentrations of extractable Cu were found in the sediment samples collected under the cages of the fish farms that used nets treated with antifouling paint. These concentrations were 2 to 3 times higher than at farms using untreated nets. In addition, heavy metal concentrations were almost always lower in the biological samples collected from farms using untreated nets. The highest metal concentrations occurred in the liver tissue of cultured fish. All the aforementioned data indicate that the use of antifouling paints is the likely source of metal accumulation in farmed fish. To prevent this, we have developed an environmentally friendly net coating.

The paint is a single pack based on a water acrylic polymer and specially-shaped nanoceramic particles with zero VOC. These improve the mechanical properties of the coating and ensure an extremely antifouling surface, which is very difficult for organisms to attach themselves to. The product follows a completely innovative approach to the development of a new antifouling paint. Thus offering a new formulation of non-toxic coatings with a wider spectrum of antifouling action, especially higher resistance to harsher conditions (static conditions) and subsequent improvements in the performance and life cycle of the coating. Results from long-term tests show that the project will significantly contribute to a more sustainable aquaculture. In order to produce coatings on a larger scale for industrial application, we are looking for business partners to develop the product from pilot to commercial product. Together with business partners, we also want to develop our innovative biocide-free antifouling coating for ship hulls. The ultimate goal is to introduce the coating to the worldwide market.