Antifouling coating treatment, developed by an innovative provider of fouling defense solutions, is used with aguaculture nets made with durable Dyneema fibers.

DSM Dyneema announces the first commercial success of its collaboration with the Dutch company Micanti. DSM Dyneema and Micanti are engaged in the development of strong and tough aquaculture nets with a new, revolutionary non-toxic antifouling treatment. Pinar Deniz, part of Yasar Holdings and one of the largest fish farms in Turkey and Europe, signed a contract in September for the deployment of the netting system at its farms.

The combination of the new developed non-toxic Thorn-D** antifouling, from Micanti, with durable Dyneema* fibers, provides long-term, non-toxic resistance to fouling and thus avoids most environmental and fish-health issues. The benefit for the fish farmer is reduced maintenance and lifecycle costs for fouling prevention as well as healthier and larger sized fish. Pinar Deniz stated: "We believe that the use of nets made with Dyneema fiber and coated with Thorn-D is an important step in reducing operational cost and towards non-toxic antifouling. We gladly participate in the project."
Aquaculture nets made with Dyneema® and the non-toxic Thorn-D® antifouling treatment

Nets made with ultra-strong and tough Dyneema fibers are established in the fish-farming industry as helping reduce stock escapes and running repairs. Due to their strength, thinner twines can be used, which in turn provides less resistance to water currents for improved cleanliness and oxygenation for healthier fish. Thinner twines also mean less surface area for algae to grow. In addition to the accepted benefits of Dyneema, DSM Dyneema is constantly looking to further address industry needs.

Dyneema is produced in Heerlen (The Netherlands) and in Greenville, North Carolina (U.S.A.). DSM Dyneema is also a partner in a high modulus polyethylene (HMPE) manufacturing joint venture in Japan.

The Thorn-D antifouling treatment was developed by Micanti, an innovative provider of fouling defense solutions, and has been tested in various salt and fresh water environments. The major benefit of the coating, besides being non-toxic, is that the coating will remain on the net for a number of years – longer than current, traditional antifouling solutions, decreasing the maintenance cost and the life cycle cost for fouling prevention. Reduction in fouling prevention will also decrease the stress endured by the fish when nets need to be cleaned.

"This is an exciting moment for the fish farming industry. The combination of non-toxic Thorn-D antifouling with durable Dyneema fibers in netting will help improve the economics as well as environmental aspects of fish farming,” declared Rik Breur, co-founder of Micanti.

This optimism is shared by Andre van Wageningen, Market Segment Manager Aquaculture for DSM Dyneema: “As part of our pursuit of innovation to meet market demands, we regularly participate in joint projects to develop new technologies and applications.We are therefore delighted to be involved in this collaboration with Micanti and other leading institutes in the field of aquaculture. We expect this new system will receive recognition in response to the strong drive for non-toxic antifouling in the fish farming industry, as well as to reduce cost of operation and increase profitability at farm level.”