Selektope® keeps the ship hull free from barnacles

By providing ingredient technology to power up the antifouling system

What is Selektope®?

Selektope® is a unique biocide which, through biotechnology is creating the possibility of more sustainable and efficient marine paint systems.

Its powerful, repellent effect on barnacles keeps the ship’s hull clean — which reduces frictional resistance between the ship hull and water, leading to less fuel consumption and emissions to air and sea.

More about Selektope®

Fouling is a pressing environmental and financial problem

Prevention rather than cure is I-Tech’s approach to tackling the global issue.

Only with a barnacle free hull can global emission targets be met.

By using the Selektope® biotechnology as an ingredient in the antifouling mix, operators and owners can eradicate hard fouling, ensuring continually clean hulls, optimal business and environmental performance.

Selektope has provided power to antifouling coatings used on over 2500 vessels.

Available products

Did you know that, when a hull is covered by 10% barnacle fouling, 36% extra power from the engine is required to maintain the same speed through water.

Selektope® - ECHA Consultation: Your Voice Matters

Your support is vital. Join the public consultation to protect our waterways and ensure a sustainable future.

You can submit comments to ECHA's public consultation to help ensure Selektope remains available for use in the EU.

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) is an agency of the EU working for the safe use of chemicals. Biocides are approved by stringent regulatory schemes across different geographies. In the EU, all biocides undergo an extensive approval process under the EU Biocidal Products Regulation.

ECHA is considering the renewal of Medetomidine, the crucial component of our antifouling product, Selektope. If not approved, Selektope's future in the EU market is at risk.

Prevention against biofouling is vital as vessels idle and sea temperatures rise

Download our research-led white paper to learn more

The power of Selektope® keeps tanker barnacle free during 63 months of trading on global routes.

Read the case study

Available antifouling coatings containing Selektope® has been used on more than 2500 vessels.

See available Selektope®-containing products here

For paint manufacturers

Push the boundaries of coating innovation.

For ship owners & shipyards

Unlock the benefits.

Selektope is a unique, non lethal and sustainable biocide, preventing barnacle growth on ship hulls.

A sustainable solution

Reduce emissions to air and sea

Selektope® will contribute to reducing emissions to air and sea by repelling barnacles from the ship´s hull.

With a clean hull, resistance between the ship and water reduces, leading to less fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

To reach the global emission targets set out for the shipping industry, a clean hull is key!

Read more about the benefits of Selektope® for ship owners- operators and yards here.

Prevents the spread of invasive aquatic species

In recent years, the spread of alien, so-called invasive species, have become an all greater threat to biodiversity.

With extensive fouling on ship hulls and niche surfaces, alien species can easily attach and accompany the vessel to new ports, affecting wildlife at the destination and damage the existing ecosystem. Stricter restrictions have been introduced regionally in ports with fines or rejections as a result to reduce transport of invasive species.

By using an effective antifouling paint containing Selektope®, the hull is kept clean and the problem of the spread of invasive species can be prevented.

See available products containing Selektope® here.

Unique non-lethal mode of action

Selektope provides unique, repellent action with non-fatal effect on the barnacles.

When barnacle larvae come into contact with Selektope®, they become hyperactive and perform about 100 kicks per minute. The effect is reversible, and the larvae quickly return to their normal state when not exposed to Selektope®. In this way, the larvae simply cannot attach to a surface coated with a Selektope®-containing paint and at the same time, the larvae are not harmed in any way. Selektope® does not bioaccumulate in other species and with time, Selektope® undergoes microbial degradation in the marine environment.

Read more about the technology of Selektope®.

Less biocidal leakage

There are many potential solutions to save energy and reduce the shipping industry´s environmental impact.

5-25%

Optimal hull performance can save up to 25% for an entire shipping fleet. Selektope® plays an important part in releasing this potential.

5-10%

Optimised propulsion (engine and propeller control ) has a saving potential of up to 10%.

3-15%

Route and autopilot optimisations have a saving potential of up to 15%.

3-8%

A propeller free from marine fouling with an optimal design can deliver savings of up to 8%.

THE SAVING POTENTIAL IS SIGNIFICANT - BUT ONLY IF THE HULL IS FREE FROM HARD FOULING

I-Tech, the company behind Selektope®

I-Tech AB is a public held bio-technology company based in Mölndal, Sweden that owns all IP and regulatory rights to the antifouling agent Selektope® (generic name, medetomidine).

Since 2006, I-Tech has successfully transformed the scientific invention of Selektope® into a commercially ready and available antifouling agent.

Visit i-tech.se

Latest News & Blog

Show all

19 Nov 2024 insights