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Wanhua Energy Saving, Layout of Bio-based Marine Antifouling Coatings

Bio-based Energy and Materials 2025-03-21 09:32:36

On March 18, Yantai Wanhua Energy-saving New Materials Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "Yantai Wanhua Energy-saving") recently applied for the disclosure of an invention patent titled "A Copper-free Marine Antifouling Coating Based on Biomass and Its Preparation Method". According to the patent abstract, this invention significantly improves antifouling effects through the combined use of polylactic acid and polyhydroxyalkanoates, and by emulsifying rosin resin, vinyl chloride-vinylidene chloride copolymer emulsion, and diuron, the resulting copper-free marine antifouling coating based on biomass has broad-spectrum, high-efficiency, and low-toxicity antifouling properties.

marine biofouling causes billions of dollars in economic losses globally each year by damaging facilities such as ships and wind power platforms. The attachment of organisms like algae and shellfish not only increases energy consumption and corrosion risks of the equipment but also disrupts marine ecological balance. Traditional antifouling paints containing copper/tin, although effective in the short term, release heavy metals leading to the accumulation of copper ions in marine organisms, posing a long-term threat to marine biodiversity and endangering human health through the food chain.

Image source: Yantai Wanhua Energy Saving

Bio-based copper-free antifouling coatings are an innovative solution that emerged against this backdrop. The breakthrough of this coating lies in the synergy of a triple mechanism: first, the controllable degradation characteristics of polylactic acid (PLA) and polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) form a self-polishing surface; second, diterpenic acids in rosin resins can interfere with the attachment signaling pathways of barnacle larvae; third, the microencapsulation technology of diuron and vinyl chloride-vinylidene chloride copolymers extends the antifouling period to 18-24 months.

Wanhua Energy Saving's innovative technology is centered on bio-based polyester resins, such as a blend of polylactic acid and polyhydroxyalkanoates. This material can be decomposed by microorganisms under certain conditions, reducing the impact of waste on the environment. By reasonably adjusting the ratio of polylactic acid to polyhydroxyalkanoates, a good balance can be achieved between anti-fouling properties, mechanical properties, and processing properties.

In addition, the technology emulsifies rosin resin to form a rosin emulsion that can dissolve better in water. In seawater, it slowly dissolves, and the toxins within the paint film can steadily seep into the seawater without producing a saponification layer during the dissolution process. The use of vinyl chloride-vinylidene chloride copolymer emulsion, due to the presence of the vinyl chloride base, has strong polarity and exhibits excellent adhesion and seawater resistance. A degradable organic antifouling system uses the environmentally friendly organic antifouling agent diuron, which has broad-spectrum, high-efficiency, and low-toxicity antifouling effects.

Public records show that Yantai Wanhua Energy Conservation was established in 2018, mainly engaged in the research, development, production, and sales of metal surface modified composite new materials, high-end solvent-free heavy-duty anti-corrosion environmental protection coatings, water-based industrial paints, and high-end environmental protection architectural coatings. Previously, it invested a total of 80 million US dollars (approximately 565 million RMB) to build an annual production capacity of 50,000 tons of metal surface modified composite new materials and high-performance environmental protection coatings project. According to Tianyancha App, Yantai Wanhua Energy Conservation is a subsidiary of Wanhua Energy Conservation Technology Group Co., Ltd.

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Wanhua Energy Saving, Layout of Bio-based Marine Antifouling Coatings

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