New Hempasil X3 hydrogel silicone fouling release

Citation

(2009), "New Hempasil X3 hydrogel silicone fouling release", Pigment & Resin Technology, Vol. 38 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/prt.2009.12938cad.003

New Hempasil X3 hydrogel silicone fouling release

Article Type: New products From: Pigment & Resin Technology, Volume 38, Issue 3

Hempasil X3 is a new third-generation system launched by Hempel A/S that has been shown to cut a vessel’s fuel bill by up to $1.5 million each year and can also significantly lower CO₂ emissions to reduce a vessel’s carbon footprint.

The Hempasil X3 system is the only fouling release system in the industry to feature pioneering hydrogel technology, the company said, and the system comes as a package that includes the paint system, the fuel-saving guarantee and a third-party fuel monitoring system, making it simple for users to really measure the fuel-saving benefits.

Hempasil X3 uses hydrogel silicone to prevent fouling on a vessel’s hull. The water-absorbent hydrogel forms a polymeric network over the hull. Organisms perceive the hull as a liquid and not a solid surface and as a result, do not try to catch hold. The hydrogel layer is effectively backed up by silicone, known for its self-cleaning properties.

Hempasil X3 can be specified for 90-month service intervals, and it works at speeds as low as eight knots and is still effective at 50 percent activity levels. This means longer intervals between dry-docking, and at the same time makes fouling release coatings relevant for a greater range of ships.

The fuel-saving effects of Hempasil X3 have been documented through extensive towing tank studies and confirmed by real-life applications on more than 20 vessels. As part of the package, customers also receive a third-party fuel monitoring system – SeaTrend from Force Technology – that measures and documents fuel savings.