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.

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.

%

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

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.

Paint manufacturers

For paint manufacturers

Push the boundaries of coating innovation.

Ship managers

For ship owners & shipyards

Unlock the benefits.

Our customers

A sustainable solution

Vessel

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.

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Latest News & Blog
10 Oct 2024 Barnacle fouling prevention

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Selektope® is an organic molecule developed and commercialised by I-Tech for use in paint systems.
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Industry collaboration is key to keeping hulls clean

Biofouling prevention isn’t a new challenge. It is something that the operators of vessels hav...
12 Apr 2023 insights

The successful journey of Selektope: From lab to hull powered by entrepreneurial spirit and science

It’s February 2023. Financial results for the third quarter of 2022 have just been released by...
6 Jun 2022 insights

CII takes centre stage at the 2022 Hull Performance and Insight Conference (HullPIC)

Now at its 7th edition, this conference regularly gathers 100+ participants and the attendee list pa...
22 Apr 2022 insights

Reflections on Nor-Shipping 2022

This biennial exhibition has served as an important meeting place for the international maritime ind...
29 Mar 2022 insights

Insights from our time spent on the world’s Largest Hospital Ship

This was a huge deal for us since I-Tech had been working for many years with Mercy Ships Sweden in ...
31 Jan 2022 insights

Looking ahead in 2022

As the industry welcomes in the new year, a wide array of forces that impact the business of interna...
Selektope cements itself in the shipping industry nine years since first introduction to antifouling coatings
8 Jul 2024 News

Selektope cements itself in the shipping industry nine years since first introduction to antifouling coatings

The unique, barnacle-deterring ability of the antifouling technology, Selektope® has earned its pla...
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