Ecofriendly antifouling coatings with tropical marine biocides – BIOPAINTROP

Biofoulings are associated to colonization of artificial submerged structures by aquatic organisms. This process induces adverse effects such as loss of hydrodynamism, weight increase of equipments, … Numerous toxic compounds (copper, arsenic) have been used during decades to avoid biofouling of ships, until organostatic substances were developed. According to their toxicity for marine environment and fauna, due to their non-specificity and biodegradability, EU has banned them since 2008. For this reason, a new strategy, focusing on environmental friendly molecules is requested aiming to provide coatings that release progressively active natural compounds, non toxic for environment. Such perspective is in full agreement with the REACH Framework as considering both efficient and environmental friendly products s well as human health and environment conservation issues. In tropical marine environment, deterrent molecules are recognized as one of the most efficient way for protection against predators or competition with other surfaces organisms (e.g corals, microalgae). Such active compounds are considered quite « infinite » (20 000 have been described to date), so of them for their antifouling activity. As a significant component of marine organisms, microalgae are a promising source of active natural substances, with biotechnological potential value. Growing microalgae is a worldwide project for various purposes actually e.g biofuel. Various aspects are required in order to provide both (i) a growing demand of ecological coatings (chemical, biological,…) and (ii) the variety of marine environment where they must be efficiently active against fouling organisms. BIOPAINTROP planned on a 36 months duration, aims to develop antifouling coatings with active biomolecules originating tropical marine resources (microalgae) from Reunion Island. 2 main objectives have been designated: (i) identification of active molecules from tropical microalgae and (ii) incorporation of these compounds in adequate coatings and confirm the efficiency of these products in both temperate and tropical marine environment. To reach the targeted results, a pluridisciplinary group has been set up with 7 teams with complementary expertises (biologist and microbiologist, chemist, physicochemist, specialist in biopolymers, paint producters, microalgae producters). BIOPAINTROP will provide significant progress in processing ecological antifouling coating incorporating natural tropical marine compounds. Moreover, the project will allow a better understanding of ecological processes between organisms. Such innovative products are requested by stakeholders in order to reduce environmental impacts of fishing, aquaculture, trading activities.