Clean Ocean Coating

Clean Ocean Coatings provides a biocide-free and solvent-free antifouling solution for the commercial shipping industry, which faces significant operational inefficiencies and environmental challenges due to biofouling—the accumulation of algae and barnacles on ship hulls. This growth increases fuel consumption by up to 40% and releases vast amounts of microplastics and toxins into marine ecosystems from traditional, eroding coatings.

The Hamburg-based company was founded in 2020 by Patricia Griem and Christina Linke. The core technology was developed over eight years through research projects involving Phi-Stone AG and the Christian Albrechts University in Kiel, where Griem was instrumental. Linke, a food technology engineer with a passion for marine biology, learned of the technology in 2020 and joined forces with Griem to prevent the innovation from being shelved and to commercialize it.

The company's flagship product, Ecoating, leverages a proprietary technology that combines nanostructured ceramic particles with a polymer matrix. This composition creates an exceptionally smooth, durable, and chemically stable surface that is easy to clean. Unlike conventional self-polishing coatings that intentionally erode to release biocides, Ecoating is non-toxic and does not release microplastics. Its durability is projected to be at least two to three times longer than that of competing products, and it requires fewer layers, which shortens application time. For ship operators, this translates into substantial cost savings from reduced fuel consumption, lower maintenance frequency, and compliance with increasingly stringent environmental regulations like the EU's REACH and Biocidal Products Regulation.

Clean Ocean Coatings targets global shipping companies, offering its product through direct sales and partnerships. The company's business model involves offering the coating at material cost initially, supplemented by an annual service fee over the coating's lifetime to lower the entry barrier for customers. Having successfully conducted tests on commercial vessels and coated boats for private owners, the company is now focused on scaling production and securing further validation through pilot projects, particularly with ferries and workboats. The startup has received backing from investors including Starthub Ventures, Capacura, and Innovationsstarter GmbH.

Keywords: antifouling coating, marine coating, biofouling solution, sustainable shipping, eco-friendly hull coating, nanostructured ceramic coating, polymer matrix coating, fuel efficiency for ships, maritime clean-tech, non-toxic marine paint, microplastic reduction, ship maintenance, shipping industry innovation, blue economy, GreenTech, Hamburg startup, Patricia Griem, Christina Linke, Ecoating, biocide-free