As environmental concerns surrounding marine pollution continue to grow, regulatory authorities worldwide are increasing scrutiny of coatings used on vessels, including antifouling paints, primers and topcoats. Key areas of concern include volatile organic compounds (VOCs), biocide leaching, plastic pollution and the environmental impact of coating removal and disposal.
Coppercoat was developed in response to these challenges. Introduced in 1991 following two years of research and development, it was designed to provide a long-lasting, environmentally responsible alternative to traditional antifouling paints. It remains the world’s only water-based epoxy antifouling system and is formulated using 99.7% pure recycled copper powder as its sole active ingredient.
Unlike conventional antifouling paints, which typically contain 30–45% VOCs and require annual reapplication, Coppercoat is water-based, low in VOCs and can remain effective for 10–20 years, with some installations lasting more than 30 years. This significantly reduces the volume of paint used over a vessel’s lifetime while lowering emissions associated with repeated application.
Environmental regulation is increasingly restricting both the number and concentration of biocides permitted in marine coatings. In Europe, the list of approved active substances has fallen from more than 50 to around 10, with copper remaining one of the preferred options. Future legislation is expected to limit products to a single active substance. Coppercoat already complies with this approach, having always relied solely on copper as its biocidal component.
A major independent study conducted by Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML) on behalf of EDF Energy tested a range of antifouling systems over five years in harsh tidal conditions off Orkney. The report concluded that Coppercoat was the best-performing coating after 60 months of testing. Environmental findings were equally significant. Traditional coatings lost between 90% and 100% of their antifouling layer and up to 20% of their underlying primer during the trial. Coppercoat lost less than 5% of its coating thickness over the same period.
The study also measured Coppercoat’s copper leach rate at 1.9 micrograms per square centimetre per day, substantially below the maximum limit of 9 micrograms permitted under some of the world’s strictest environmental regulations, including those in California and Sweden. Based on the laboratory’s calculations, it would take approximately 86 years and nearly five million kilometres of use before 90% of Coppercoat’s copper content had been released, compared with the rapid depletion typically seen in conventional antifouling paints.
Traditional antifouling systems also contribute to long-term environmental contamination through the accumulation and eventual removal of multiple layers of spent paint. Annual repainting leads to flaking, pressure-washing and blasting, creating toxic waste and microplastic pollution that can enter marina sediments and coastal ecosystems. By contrast, Coppercoat forms an exceptionally hard surface that is not removed during normal cleaning or pressure washing. When retreatment is eventually required, it can generally be applied directly over the existing coating, eliminating the need for large-scale removal and reducing end-of-life pollution.
A 2022 Environment Agency-supported “Scrub Wash” trial found that Coppercoat lost 86% less material than two leading conventional antifouling paints. The study also reported no toxic impact from Coppercoat wash-water on algal growth, whereas wash-water from traditional coatings negatively affected the algae.
The report further highlights operational benefits. Coppercoat’s smooth, hard epoxy surface can improve vessel efficiency, with independent motorboat testing showing performance gains of up to 5% at cruising speeds. Improved hydrodynamics can reduce fuel consumption and associated emissions.
Tightening environmental regulations will place increasing pressure on conventional antifouling technologies. Due to its water-based formulation, low VOC content, low leach rate, durability and reduced waste generation, Coppercoat is positioned as a compliant, effective and environmentally responsible long-term antifouling solution for both leisure and commercial vessels.
