The Hoofddorp-based company Finsulate, inventor of a non-toxic, adhesive antifouling wrap, has been selected by the PortXL partner network as one of the fourteen decarbonisation innovators 2022. The goal: signed contracts with corporate partners.

During a three-month programme, the selected start-ups and scale-ups will work with mentors and partners to establish new, innovation-related collaborations. These will be announced on 15 December.

Finsulate, a Dutch invention, is completely non-toxic and thus offers an environmentally friendly alternative to paint-based antifouling. It has a guaranteed lifespan of five to ten years. It is applied as a self-adhesive film (“wrapping”). The antifouling properties are the result of small fibres sticking up on the wrap. As a result, the surface is no longer smooth, but prickly and fouling has no chance of settling.

Also read: Dutch antifouling wrap nominated for European Inventor Award

Decarbonisation innovators

The PortXL ecosystem consists of start-ups and scale-ups, investors and partners, such as Van Oord, Port of Rotterdam, Boskalis, Damen, Shell, Deltares, the Municipality of Rotterdam, Ampelmann, InnovationQuarter, the Province of South Holland and SPEED. The intention is that the decarbonisation innovators will help grow the city of Rotterdam’s innovation footprint.

Pre-selection started in March and as many as 2500 applications poured in. Last week, a first selection of 65 candidates was invited to Rotterdam to meet the corporate partners in person. In the end, fourteen companies were selected, from nine different countries. Finsulate is one of the five Dutch companies chosen.

Also read: European Inventor Award for Dutch Antifouling Solution

PortXL

PortXL is the world’s first port accelerator, with a global network of leading companies and experts. PortXL’s goal is to accelerate innovative technologies for the green energy, maritime, logistics and process industries in port regions around the world. PortXL was launched in 2015 with the ambition of bridging the gap between innovative entrepreneurs and the established port business community.

‘Our toxic-free antifouling product naturally fits perfectly with this mission,’ says Finsulate CEO Rik Breur. ‘I am therefore very happy that we have been selected. Besides the fact that a partnership with a corporate fits well with our growth ambition, I think that, where shipping and offshore are concerned, we can really help companies develop their sustainability; after all, every ship or platform has to deal with antifouling. We offer the solution. I expect a lot of good things to come out of this collaboration. Great for us, for the corporates, for the environment.’

Picture: Rik Breur attaching Finsulate to a hull.

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