60 I Jotun Group Report 2020 Environmental commitment / Solvent-free primer
By some estimates, universal primers represent between 60–
80 per cent of the total paint volume used on a newbuilding
project. But with restrictions on solvent emissions coming
into force in many shipbuilding nations, demand for a highsolid
primer has been growing. In 2020, Jotun announced
the global launch of Jotacote Universal S120, the industry’s
first Performance Standard for Protective Coatings (PSPC)
approved solvent-free, single coat primer.
EXTENSIVE PRODUCT TESTING
Jotacote Universal S120 is a two component, polyamine cured
epoxy coating which can be used as a primer, mid-coat, finish
coat or as a single coat system in atmospheric and immersed
environments. The product was first introduced in 2017 to
selected shipyards in Europe and Asia. In Germany, which
has some of the world’s strictest caps on Volatile Organic
Compounds (VOCs), Jotacote Universal S120 enabled one
leading shipyard to expand production of cruise ships without
exceeding limits on emissions. And with strict emission limits
on solvents scheduled to come into force in South Korea,
Jotun signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with
South Korea’s largest shipyard, Hyundai Heavy Industries, to
use the product to minimise their solvent emissions.
By working in partnership with shipyards, Jotun was able to
verify the performance as well as develop best practices in
applying Jotacote Universal S120. The coating proved highly
durable, and it will require minimal maintenance throughout
the vessel’s life cycle. Because it is a single coat solution,
it can reduce complexity and production time, improving
shipbuilding efficiency by more than 40 per cent. In addition
to these performance benefits, Jotacote Universal S120
reduces fire and explosion risk and can lower CO2 emissions
related to thermal oxidisers or afterburners traditionally used
to control VOC emissions.
GLOBAL LAUNCH
The 2020 global launch of Jotacote Universal S120, which
is built on the patent-pending Covallox™ technology,
represents a significant business opportunity for Jotun and is
consistent with Jotun’s GreenSteps programme (reduce VOC
emissions). By helping shipyards comply with increasingly
strict regulations and accelerate their production, Jotun not
only supports their business objectives but plays an important
role in industry’s efforts to reduce its environmental impacts
throughout the value chain.
Gamechanger
Following a lengthy development and testing process, Jotun announced the global launch of
Jotacote Universal S120, the industry’s first solvent-free universal primer, engineered to help
shipyards accelerate production and reduce harmful emissions.