Marine coatings are a specialized market, designed to protect ships, leisure boats, docks, containers, and more. In addition to enhancing aesthetic appearance, these coatings must also address corrosive degradation, as well as biofouling concerns, such as marine organisms adhering to the surface.
The marine coatings market will be worth $10.4 billion by 2019,1 and $15 billion by 2024.2 Further, demand is growing in Asia-Pacific, and China specifically, due to shipbuilding and dry-docking. Anti-corrosive coatings account for the largest share of the market, followed by anti-fouling coatings.1
Featured Marine Coating Formulations |
2K High Solids Epoxy Primer by ICL Advanced Additives – uses HALOX® 750 |
HEUCOPHOS® CAPP In Epoxy Dispersion by Heucotech Ltd./Heubach – a formulation for a water based epoxy dispersion in combination with Hexion. |
Nubirox 106 in Water Based DTM Alkyd System by Ferro-Nubiola – This water based DTM alkyd system features Nubirox 106 & Nubirox FR-10. |
Water-Reducible Alkyd Black Gloss Corrosion Inhibitive Dip Enamel by Vanderbilt Minerals, LLC – This formulation utilizes VEEGUM® R and ACTIV-8® HGL. |
Trowel Coatings by Hunstman Performance Products – A formulation useful for coating concrete surfaces, bonding old concrete surfaces to new, topping floors subjected to heavy wear, and coating splash-zone areas of marine structures. The material is thixotropic, so it can be applied to vertical surfaces where it may be used to imbed aggregate. |
Search Marine Coating Materials |
Anti-corrosive marine coatings
Corrosion control in marine coatings helps protect vessels, equipment, and structure from damage, often associated with abrasion, impact, or chemical contact.
The majority of marine coatings are made with petrochemical derivatives, such as benzene, toluene, ethylene, and naphthalene. However, increasingly strict environmental legislation – specifically around volatile organic compounds (VOCs) — is likely to negatively impact use of these materials. This trend will continue as consumers demand more eco-friendly products. At the same time, demand for waterborne formulations will offer new product development opportunities.3
Epoxy coatings are commonly used for marine purposes, as they provide superior corrosion control, as well as water, alkali, and acid resistance. They also work well on both metal and concrete.3
In addition to their anti-corrosive properties, polyurethane marine coatings offer a variety of color options, as well as a traditional glossy appearance.3
Coatings Tech reports4 an increased demand for new technologies that address specific issues, such as high-performance epoxy resins and polymers designed for corrosion control.
Anti-fouling marine coatings
Algae, plants, bacteria, barnacles – all these, and other organisms can find a home on marine vessels and structures. In fact, unwanted organisms can settle on surfaces within 60 seconds, if the surface isn’t properly coated.5 These organisms require specific conditions to survive and thrive, such as:
- Sunlight (and thereby, energy, via photosynthesis)
- Specific temperature range
- Suitable surface6
A vessel with heavy bioaccumulation can suffer from higher fuel costs due to drag, and increased emissions, so protective coatings are extremely critical to the marine market.
Anti-fouling marine coatings help make surfaces inhospitable to biofouling, often through the use of biocides. The use of smart materials can help create this unfriendly environment, creating a slick film, or releasing a biocide when seawater comes in contact with the coated surface.7
The EU Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR) will impact the development and availability of new biocides, as they are costly to test and produce, if not already registered for use in another sector.7 The European Chemicals Agency maintains a searchable list of approved biocidal active substances.
Community Discussion
We’d like to hear about trends you’re seeing in your work with marine coatings. Feel free to leave a comment below to discuss with the Prospector community.
Further reading:
- Smart Coatings: Self-Healing, Anti-Fouling & Sensing Material Developments
- Bio-based Resins for Coatings
References:
- MarketsandMarkets: Marine Coatings Market worth $10.4 Billion by 2019
- Global Markets Insights: Market Coatings Market Size, 2016-2024
- Global Market Insights: Anti-Corrosion Coatings Market Size
- Coatings Tech: Important Market Trends Impact the Industry in 2016
- Research and Markets: Marine Coatings Market
- Rust Bullet: Marine Application FAQs
- Hempel: Antifouling coatings
- Coatings World: The Marine Coatings Market
The views, opinions and technical analyses presented here are those of the author or advertiser, and are not necessarily those of ULProspector.com or UL Solutions. The appearance of this content in the UL Prospector Knowledge Center does not constitute an endorsement by UL Solutions or its affiliates.
All content is subject to copyright and may not be reproduced without prior authorization from UL Solutions or the content author.
The content has been made available for informational and educational purposes only. While the editors of this site may verify the accuracy of its content from time to time, we assume no responsibility for errors made by the author, editorial staff or any other contributor.
UL Solutions does not make any representations or warranties with respect to the accuracy, applicability, fitness or completeness of the content. UL Solutions does not warrant the performance, effectiveness or applicability of sites listed or linked to in any content.
I have been looI have been re vamping my old family boat and am looking into the different kinds of options that I have for the outer coating. I am thinking I will use epoxy, so I have also been looking for an epoxy supplier, but it is good to know there are other options. It is interesting how big of a difference it can make on the appearance and also the efficiency of the boat.
This blog is really very informative and I’m very happy to read this blog.