I-TECH’S SELEKTOPE® APPROVED IN CHINA

I-Tech , (a holding in Mintage Scientific) has been notified that Selektope®, a marine biocide used to improve ship hull performance and reduce maintenance, has been approved for use in China.

New chemical notification
Selektope has been approved for use as an antifouling biocide by the Ministry of Environmental Protection of the People Republic of China.

“We are pleased to recognize the Chinese authorities’ approval of our antifouling technology following a rigorous environmental risk assessment. This marks a very important milestone in our efforts to provide the global marine sector with our unique technology”, says Philip Chaabane, Managing Director of I-Tech. “We are confident that our enthusiasm is shared also by our customers and partners in the shipping industry as this is proof that Selektope® can now be used for sea going vessels as well as other marine structures on the world’s largest single maritime market.”

Selektope had previously been approved in Japan and Korea and is under registration in EU.

Selektope® – further improving antifouling paints
The turnover for antifouling paints is estimated at USD 2 billion annually and protection against barnacles is a critical necessity in all antifouling paints. Selektope is a biodegradable, non-metal substance developed to avoid fouling by barnacles and other shell-forming animals on boats and ships – a so-called antifouling substance. It has proven effectiveness in concentrations of about 0.1 % w/w (percentage weight/weight). The antifouling effect is exerted through stimulation of the barnacle larvae’s swimming behaviour. It thereby makes the larvae unable to attach to a surface painted with Selektope. As soon as the barnacle leaves the surface the effect disappears, i.e. it is reversible. Due to the low concentration needed, Selektope does not compromise the paint’s chemical structure, colour or other cooperative biocides involved. Read more at; www.i-tech.se

About I-Tech
I-Tech is a Swedish limited company, founded in 2000 by a group of researchers from the University of Gothenburg and Chalmers University of Technology.

I-Tech’s biocide Selektope (common name medetomidine) has sprung from extensive research on the development of environmentally sound marine paints through a government funded (MISTRA) multi-year research project. Several potential biocides were included in this project, but Selektope distinguished itself from the others when it was discovered to affect the behaviour of the barnacle larvae so that they would not settle on prepared surfaces. The substance was particularly interesting as the effect can be identified already at nano-molar concentrations.
Further development has refined Selektope to a potent, ecologically verified biocide for use in marine antifouling paints. The technology holds extensive patent protection for all relevant maritime nations.

Contact details
Philip Chaabane, Managing director, Philip.chaabane@i-tech.se, +46 (0) 73 910 37 08
Cecilia Ohlauson, Regulatory affairs manager, Cecilia.ohlauson@i-tech.se, +46 (0)70 603 42 36