Jotun has announced that it has signed a memorandum of understanding with the world’s largest shipyards for a new type of marine paint that reduces solvent emissions by up to 90 percent.
A memorandum of understanding has been signed with Korean Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI). This is the starting point of a closer cooperation and the use of a new, innovative solvent-free primer. The signing took place between Jotun's chairman Odd Gleditch (Jr). and HHI's Chief Executive Ka Sam-Hyun during the South Korean President's state visit to Norway in June. South Korea's Minister of Industry Yunmo Song attended the signing ceremony.
Jotun focuses heavily on research and development of environmentally friendly paints, and the corrosion-protective primer reduces total solvent release by 80-90%. The company has worked on developing the new type of marine paint for 13 years. It will reduce solvent (VOC) emissions into the air from approximately 250 grams per liter to just nine grams per liter. Shipyards will save hundreds of millions of dollars by avoiding investments in plants related to the combustion of VOC’s. VOC combustion also leads to CO2 emissions, so this innovation provides a double benefit.
Primers make up 60-70 percent of the total amount of paint applied to a ship. Risberg has worked in Korea for years, developing the primer in close collaboration with Korean shipyards. He is therefore very pleased with the agreement with HHI.
The new product is currently available for Korean shipyards and selected shipbuilders in Europe who have experience applying single-coat primers that require careful application techniques.
HHI has 16,000 employees and an order entry of $16 billion in 2018. HHI's CEO accompanied the Korean delegation during the state visit to President Moon Jae-In. Ka Sam-Hyun also visited the Jotun production facility in Sandefjord during his stay in Norway.