A pioneering marine coating developed by AkzoNobel has sailed past a major milestone in record time. The company's International Paint brand recently celebrated the 100th application of its revolutionary foul release product Intersleek® 900 - just over a year after its official launch.
To put the achievement in perspective, the 100-vessel landmark was achieved six times quicker than with International's Intersleek® 700 coating, breaking all previous records for take-up of a new hull coating in the process.
"In a market hugely influenced by fuel cost, we're very pleased that the value for money offered by our fluoropolymer Intersleek 900 has been quickly recognized by the industry," said International Paint's Worldwide Marine Marketing Manager, Alistair Williamson. "What's quite remarkable is that this milestone has been achieved six times faster than the first 100 ships coated with our silicone-based product Intersleek 700. This is testimony to the exceptional quality of Intersleek 900 and to the performance benefits it can deliver."
The milestone application came with the completion of thermal coal carrier Corona Emblem, operated by Japanese-based global shipping and logistics company K Line. A ceremony to mark the occasion was held jointly between International Paint and K Line in Tokyo.
Launched in March 2007, Intersleek 900 reached 50 applications just seven months later. Based on patented fluoropolymer technology, its success is largely down to the fact that it offers significantly greater fuel savings than those achievable with silicone-based products. It can also be applied to vessels operating at speeds as low as ten knots. One of its key characteristics, central to its fuel-saving potential, is the fact that it's considerably smoother than any other hull coating produced to date - at least 40 percent smoother than conventional self-polishing copolymers and
25 percent smoother than Intersleek 700.
25 percent smoother than Intersleek 700.
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AkzoNobel is proud to be one of the world's leading industrial companies. Based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, we make and supply a wide range of paints, coatings and specialty chemicals - pro forma 2007 revenue totaled €14.4 billion. In fact, we are the largest global paints and coatings company. As a major producer of specialty chemicals we supply industries worldwide with quality ingredients for life's essentials. We think about the future, but act in the present. We're passionate about introducing new ideas and developing sustainable answers for our customers. That's why our 60,000 employees - who are based in more than 80 countries - are committed to excellence and delivering Tomorrow's Answers Today(TM).
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