Beginning in the year 2000, and
still ongoing, a development program entitled "Research and
Development to Commercialize an Innovative Line of Environmentally
Preferable Paints and Coatings for the Marine and Aquaculture
Industry" was funded by Flexdel Corp. and a TTCP grant from the
State of New Jersey - Commission on Science and Technology, under
Granter #02-2042-010-04.
The Purpose of this program was
to further reduce and ultimately eliminate all copper from marine
antifouling products and to develop and commercialize effective
substitutes for TBTO - containing antifouling paints.
The result of this work is a new
generation of Flexdel's Aquagard products, some of which may have
been registered as anti-foulants with the U.S. EPA (These products
are now clearly marked as an Enviro-Friendly Product), as well as
silicone release type products for the replacement of traditional
paints containing TBTO. Flexdel's environmentally friendly products
contribute to keeping the air and water clean, especially in the
sensitive areas of marinas and estuaries. In particular, these
Aquagard products are EPA registered.
Flexdel introduced the Aquagard
product line with rave reviews and high ratings (powerboat Reports,
2003). These products are presently being successfully used and sold
commercially. The product works and is EPA registered.
Flexdel's Aquagard products are
considered "Environmentally Preferable" because they release low
levels of volatile organic compounds (VOC) and heavy metals compared
to other competing products.
