The American Coatings Association held its annual International Marine and Offshore Coatings Conference September 11-12 at the Sheraton Inner Harbor in Baltimore, Maryland. The conference featured a variety of presentations from marine coatings manufacturers like Jotun to suppliers such as Dow Chemical, as well as regulatory issue updates.

The Marine Conference commenced with a keynote address, ”What’s New in Antifouling,” presented by Mark Ingle of NAVSEA. Ingle discussed updates in anti-fouling at NAVSEA and gave information on qualifying copper-free biocidal coatings, in-process task for advanced foul-release coatings, plans to coat propellers and determine if fuel savings can be measured and additional changes to anti-fouling specifications.

“NAVSEA is seeking ideas from the ACA  for coatings and processes that will reduce total ownership costs from all sources.” Ingle said. “Anti-fouling coatings need to enhance fuel economy. Underwater hull fouling results in 40%  increase in drag and 10%-20% increase in fuel.” He went on to discuss some environmental drivers of change and interest in second-generation products that will help NAVSEA meet its needs. 

The ACA also held its Additives 2012 Conference September 12-13 at the same venue in Baltimore. This conference provided coatings industry professionals with innovative additive technology and concepts that are commonly utilized to improve coatings performance.

For information on upcoming conferences go to www.paint.org.