TECHNOLOGY SUMMARY

A range of paints and surface treatments have been developed using novel nanotechnology to impart antifouling and antimicrobial functionality. These surface coatings have shown to be very effective in marine antifouling applications. They also exhibit strong antimicrobial performance, making them suitable for use in food safety, medical and HVAC applications.

Primary Application Area: Materials, Chemical

Technology Development Status: Prototype

FIGURES OF MERIT

Value Proposition: Current antifouling solutions are highly toxic to provide protection, but this toxicity has led to increased regulation in recent years. Numerous reviews by regulatory agencies have noted that no viable alternative to copper-based antifouling paints currently exists, due to the environmentally friendly alternatives being costly and displaying poor performance. Poorly performing coatings can transport invasive aquatic species, which can be environmentally and economically devastating.
Inhibit Coatings offers high performance, broad spectrum, long life antifouling protection, without the environmental impact of current antifouling treatments. The benefits of such Inhibit Coatings’ antifouling include lowering fuel consumption and carbon emissions, saving on vessel maintenance costs while providing protection to the local marine environment from invasive marine life with minimal environmental impact; a significant improvement on conventional antifouls. Inhibit Coatings has developed a range of coatings consisting of different binders, meaning that hard and soft paints offer the same level of defence, allowing effective antifouling protection across many use profiles, unlike current offerings.
In food safety, medical and HVAC applications, a long-lasting surface coating is possible preventing the proliferation of dangerous bacteria, mould and fungus. This helps avoid dangerous and costly microbial outbreaks and extends operating times between cleaning cycles by limiting bacterial load.

SHOWCASE SUMMARY

Organization Type: Early-stage Startup (Seed)

Showcase Booth #: 6T

Website: http://www.inhibitcoatings.com

GOVT/EXTERNAL FUNDING SOURCES

Vetted Programs/Awards: Callaghan Innovation Repayable Loan Scheme (New Zealand)

External Funding to Date: PowerHouse Ventures Limited – Seed funding