Hempel introduces Hempaguard Ultima; the next generation of its market-leading high-performance silicone hull coating system
Hempel A/S’s new and revolutionary hull coating system, Hempaguard Ultima, delivers optimised performance and increased fuel savings, enabling vessel owners and operators to reach their decarbonisation goals
Key messages
- Hempaguard Ultima represents a revolution in hull coating systems, delivering unmatched performance including up to 21% fuel savings.
- This high-performing silicone hull coating system enables vessel owners and operators to reach their decarbonisation goals, along with financial advantages, through minimal speed loss, fuel savings, and increased out-of-dock speed.
- Hempaguard Ultima builds on the proven success of Hempel’s market-leading Hempaguard X7, which has recently passed the milestone of more than 4000 applications and is third- party verified and validated for its performance and decarbonisation efforts by DNV.
Copenhagen, 29 August 2024: As the maritime industry faces increasing pressure to decarbonise, Hempel proudly introduces its groundbreaking new two-layer coating system, Hempaguard Ultima. Building on the success of Hempaguard X7, which has recently passed the milestone of more than 4000 applications and is third- party verified and validated for its performance and decarbonisation efforts by DNV, Hempel has invested in further developing its cutting-edge innovation. With the introduction of Hempaguard Ultima, customers are better able to navigate the increasingly strict regulatory environment and move the maritime industry closer to meeting its decarbonisation goals.
“Hempaguard Ultima is our most significant innovation in a decade and an important step forward in our ability to protect and improve our customers’ most important assets. It has been designed to safeguard vessels from fouling with a unique two-layer system, enabling our customers to reach their sustainability objectives while also achieving operational excellence. I am excited to introduce this ground-breaking innovation to our customers and look forward to following its success and impact in the market,” says Alexander Enström, Executive Vice President and Head of Marine at Hempel A/S.
Hempaguard Ultima combines the tried-and-tested performance of Hempaguard X7 with Hempel’s revolutionary new biocide-free silicone topcoat, Hempaguard XL, preventing growth of marine organisms while ensuring long-lasting hull protection. By choosing Hempaguard Ultima, vessel owners and operators can reach their decarbonisation goals swiftly whilst benefitting from reduced operating costs. With Hempaguard Ultima, customers can expect:
- Up to 21% fuel savings
- 160 fouling-free idle days
- Only 0.9% speed loss on average1
- 6% immediate out-of-dock performance increase2
Diego Meseguer Yebra, R&D Director Marine at Hempel A/S comments “With Hempaguard Ultima, a vessel’s hull is able to achieve a more stable surface smoothness, even into the fourth or fifth year of the docking cycle3. This reduces the risk of fouling after long service periods, even when the coating’s hydrogel and biocide can start losing some effectiveness. At the same time, the Hempaguard XL topcoat acts as a modulator for the release of biocide from Hempaguard X7, allowing a lower biocide amount per square metre to last longer.”
To learn more about Hempaguard Ultima, please visit www.hempel.com/products/brand/hempaguard
1Speed loss measurements are used to monitor how much a ship's speed has decreased compared to its optimal or expected speed. This is typically done by comparing the ship's current speed under certain conditions (like a clean hull and calm seas) to its speed after some time in operation, when the hull might be fouled. Speed loss is important because it directly impacts a ship's fuel efficiency and operational costs.
2Out-of-dock speed increase refers to the boost in a ship's speed that typically happens after it has undergone maintenance, particularly after its hull has been cleaned, repaired, or repainted while the ship is in dry dock.
3Generally ships have a five year docking cycle, meaning they operate mostly at sea and come into dock every five years to be cleaned and have coatings re-applied.
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Joanna Ashmead
Head of Media Relations
Email: communications@hempel.com
Tel: +45 30 77 28 16
About Hempel
As a world-leading supplier of trusted coating solutions, Hempel is a global company with strong values, working with customers in the decorative, marine, infrastructure and energy industries. Hempel factories, R&D centres and stock points are established in every region.
Across the globe, Hempel’s paints and coatings can be found in almost every country of the world. They protect and beautify buildings, infrastructure and other assets, and play an essential role in our customers’ businesses. They help minimise maintenance costs, improve aesthetics and increase energy efficiency.
At Hempel, our purpose is to shape a brighter future with sustainable coating solutions. We firmly believe that we will succeed as a business only if we place sustainability at our heart. Not only is it the right thing to do, it will strengthen our competitive position, make ourselves more resilient and reduce our risk.
Hempel was founded in Copenhagen, Denmark in 1915. It is majority owned by the Hempel Foundation, which ensures a solid economic base for the Hempel Group and supports cultural, social, humanitarian and scientific purposes around the world.
