There is a strong demand for marine antifouling agents in the field of marine antifouling treatment, and the process of localization in the Chinese market is expected to accelerate

Marine antifouling agent is an important raw material for marine antifouling coatings. It is an active agent that can solve the problem of fouling of marine organisms. Marine antifouling agents usually have the characteristics of strong algae inhibition, good antibacterial effect, toxicity, good adhesion to steel surfaces, corrosion resistance, impact resistance, etc., and are widely used in the fields of marine antifouling treatment and marine environment purification.

There are many types of marine antifouling agents. According to different preparation methods, marine antifouling agents can be divided into two categories: synthetic antifouling agents and natural antifouling agents. Natural antifouling agents can be subdivided into horseradish antifouling agents, macrophylla antifouling agents, and acylated antifouling agents. Danye emodin, mussel antifouling agent, bittern tree antifouling agent, etc. In recent years, with the gradual implementation of national environmental protection policies, my country’s marine antifouling agent industry has gradually developed in a green and environmentally friendly direction, and environmentally friendly marine antifouling agents have become the mainstream of the market.

According to the “2023-2028 China Marine Antifouling Agent Industry Market In-depth Research and Development Prospects Forecast Report released by the Industrial Research Center , Potassium ferrate is an inorganic compound that appears as a dark purple shiny powder. It has the advantages of strong oxidizing ability, fast decomposition speed, and strong adsorption. It is widely used in the field of water treatment. Potassium ferrate is a commonly used raw material for marine antifouling agents. The main preparation methods include electrolysis, high-temperature oxidation and sodium hypochlorite. Benefiting from mature technology development and growing application demand, my country’s potassium ferrate production continues to increase. The advantages of raw materials provide favorable conditions for the development of my country’s marine antifouling agent industry.

Marine antifouling coatings are downstream products of marine antifouling agents, with marine antifouling treatment and marine environment purification as their main application areas. According to the “Bulletin on China’s Marine Ecological Environment Status in 2022” issued by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the sewage discharge volume from my country’s 475 direct sea pollution sources will reach 7.50199 million tons in 2022. Among them, the sewage discharge volume from comprehensive sewage outlets is the largest, followed by industrial pollution sources. Marine antifouling agents can prevent the occurrence of fouling problems of marine organisms. With the growth of downstream demand, the prosperity of my country’s marine antifouling agent industry has further improved.

The high-end marine antifouling agent industry has high technical barriers, and my country’s demand has long relied on imports. In recent years, attracted by market prospects, the number of companies in my country’s marine antifouling agent industry has continued to grow, and the process of localization of the market is expected to accelerate. HuaRuan Technology, Jinao Marine, and Strait Environmental Protection are representative enterprises of marine antifouling agents in my country. Currently, HuaRuan Technology and Jinao Marine have reached a cooperation and will jointly develop marine antifouling agent products and antifouling agent and antifouling coating products.

Industry analysts said that with the gradual implementation of national environmental protection policies, the demand for marine antifouling agents will continue to grow. At present, my country’s marine antifouling agent industry is still in its infancy, and high-end demand mainly relies on imports. It is expected that in the future, as local companies continue to exert their efforts, the localization process of my country’s marine antifouling agent market will further accelerate.