Revolutionising Antifouling: How Finsulate and Sonihull Protect Marine Ecosystems

Traditional antifouling methods have long relied on harmful chemicals and materials, which can damage marine ecosystems. Companies like Finsulate and Sonihull are stepping up to offer innovative, sustainable alternatives.

In this interview, we dive into the details with Finsulate and Sonihull about their eco-friendly antifouling product and its environmental benefits compared to traditional methods.

Q: Can you explain the key environmental benefits of your eco-friendly antifouling product compared to traditional antifouling paints?

Finsulate: The biggest benefit is that there are no biocides inside, and so no biocides are leaching into the sea. Secondly, the material is stable so also no microplastics enter the sea. Traditional antifouling paints are designed to completely dissolve - the biocides plus the paint itself. The paint ends up in the sea as microplastics, and paints are the biggest source of microplastics in the sea.

Sonihull: Traditional paints contain biocides that leach into the water, harming marine organisms such as fish, shellfish, and algae, disrupting ecosystems, while the Sonihull Ultrasonic Antifouling System avoids toxic chemicals, reducing the risk of contamination and promoting healthier aquatic ecosystems.

Q: How does the effectiveness of your antifouling solution compare to conventional products in terms of preventing biofouling and minimising maintenance frequency?

Finsulate: The effectivity against fouling is comparable to the toxic ones. We have a bit more soft fouling but much less hard fouling. As a result, cleaning is much easier. And the maintenance itself is at least five times less. Finsulate is stable for at least 8-10 years, whereas paint is normally replaced every year.

Sonihull: Traditional products often lead to the accumulation of fouling once the biocides lose potency, requiring more frequent cleaning and higher maintenance costs. Our solution prevents marine organisms from colonising solid surfaces exposed to seawater, without releasing toxic biocides or relying on ablative coatings that contribute to microplastic pollution. We use ultrasound-induced non-inertial cavitation to disrupt the biofouling cycle. This reduces maintenance costs by more than 10 times compared to traditional antifouling.

Q: What are your antifouling product's primary components or ingredients, and how are they specifically designed to minimise harm to marine ecosystems?

Finsulate: The main ingredients now are nylon for the fibres and polyester for the film. These materials are stable and stay on the hull for at least 8-10 years. After that, the product can be removed and recycled.

Sonihull: Sonihull’s technology uses the power of ultrasound to create fit-and-forget systems that prevent marine biofouling from settling on your boat or in its raw water systems. The ultrasound produces a pattern of increasing and decreasing pressure on the surface of the material. In a process called non-inertial cavitation, microscopic bubbles are created during the reduced pressure cycle and are imploded as the pressure increases. The microscopic agitation has a cleansing effect which destroys surface algae.

Q: Are there specific maintenance practices or application methods for your eco-friendly antifouling product that yacht operators should be aware of to maximise its longevity and effectiveness?

Finsulate: When coming on shore, high-pressure washing is done as normal. If fouling remains after this, it can be brushed off. In-water cleaning should be done like with regular antifouling paints. The big benefit is that no paint is brushed off

Sonihull: Our solution offers a complete range of "fit-and-forget" maintenance-free ultrasonic antifouling solutions for any solid surface exposed to raw seawater, including hulls, shafts, propellers, waterjets, sea-chests, tanks, keel-coolers, box coolers, pipework, intakes, and valves.

Finsulate and Sonihull are leading the way in transforming the antifouling industry. By eliminating harmful biocides, reducing microplastics, and offering effective, long-lasting solutions, they demonstrate that sustainability and performance can go hand in hand.

For anyone invested in a healthier, cleaner future for our oceans, these solutions provide an excellent starting point.