Paints and coatings manufacturer PPG (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA) has announced a collaboration with RightShip, a digital maritime sustainability platform, as part of Rightship’s Zero-Harm Innovation Partners Program. The initiative aims to foster the development and adoption of innovative solutions to promote a more sustainable future in the maritime industry.
According to PPG, the company’s SIGMAGLIDE 2390 biocide-free silicone fouling release is the only hull coating to be approved by RightShip’s rigorous product review process for the program. This approval validates its contribution towards a zero-harm maritime industry and underscores its positive sustainability impact.
“By connecting manufacturers with shipowners and educating charterers about new technologies, the RightShip program fosters a system that supports and recognizes those who invest in safety and sustainability on board vessels,” says Christopher Saunders, chief maritime officer at RightShip.
“We are proud to be part of this program, which recognizes the sustainably advantaged benefits and higher efficiency and durability of our biocide-free PPG Sigmaglide 2390 coating,” adds Ariana Psomas, global segment director for new build and dry dock within PPG’s protective and marine coatings (PMC) business.
“It helps vessels achieve instant power savings of up to 20% with a speed loss performance of less than 1%, contributing to a greenhouse gas emissions reduction of up to 35% in comparison to traditional antifoulings,” Psomas says.
The performance benefits of PPG Sigmaglide 2390 stem from PPG’s HydroReset technology, according to the manufacturer. When immersed in water, this technology modifies the coating to create an almost friction-free, nonstick surface that marine organisms cannot recognize or adhere to. This results in industry-leading low-friction properties and elite fouling control, which delivers up to 150 days of idle performance.
“For shipowners, achieving significant power and emission savings will require radical improvements in design and operating efficiency, so choosing the right hull coating is critically important,” Psomas concludes. “That’s why we’re seeing more and more shipping companies adopt low-friction silicone coatings.”
Sources: RightShip, www.rightship.com; PPG PMC, www.ppgpmc.com.