Antifoulings producer delivers a net gain for environment
A company that makes antifouling coatings for fish farm nets will reduce its use of heavy metals by 1,000 tonnes this year after a six-year development of a more environmentally acceptable product.
Steen-Hansen made the announcement at the official opening of a new automated factory at Hylkje, outside Bergen, Norway, yesterday.
For many years the most popular products from Steen-Hansen have contained up to 30% cuprous oxide, used to prevent biofouling on aquaculture nets. Some of this copper has ended up under salmon farms where it can harm fauna living on the sea floor.
Equal or better performance
Steen-Hansen said its alternative products have been in commercial use since last autumn and have already demonstrated that an equal or better performance can be achieved compared with traditional antifouling systems.
The products have been designed for rapid biodegradation in sea water and are therefore not posing the same risks for the environment. Additionally, the binders used in the products make discarded nets suitable for material recycling instead of disposal or burning.
Copper-free
Speaking about the company’s planned reduction in the use of copper and other metals this year, general manager Svein Ove Rabben said: “We will achieve this goal because for six years we have waged a significant product development for better alternatives, and we have now completed a modern production plant specialised for copper-free antifouling.”
The new factory has dedicated production lines with specialised technology to make the new products, and capacity has been multiplied.
Steen-Hansen said the opening marked a new and important chapter in the 90-year story of the company, which is now majority owned by Nordic investor Accent Equity.
Greener future
“This significant commitment reflects the belief in preventive biofouling management and a more environmentally friendly future for the aquaculture industry,” said Steen-Hansen.
As well as coatings and impregnation for fish farming nets, the company also manufactures specialided paint systems for other industries, i.e., textile protection, fire proofing and surface treatment.
