Coatings World - October 2013

to have an adverse effect on the efficiency of all vessel types.

According to a recent formula produced by Michael P.

Schultz, Professor, Department of Naval Architecture & Ocean Engineering, US Naval Academy, at today’s bunker prices, the effects of slime potentially costs the shipping industry 44 million extra tonnes of bunker fuel, $28.6 billion in additional fuel costs and an extra 134 million tons of CO2 emissions every year.

Designed for all commercial vessels
even when slow or ultra slow steaming,
new Intersleek 1100SR slime release tech-
nology delivers outstanding macro and
micro fouling control with good static
resistance even in warm waters. Slime
that can build up during static periods
is released by the movement of the ves-
sel through water. This has been achieved
by the new patented fluoropolymer in
Intersleek 1100SR which has been de-
veloped by enhancing the slime resistant
polymer groups used in earlier genera-
tions of Intersleek technology creating
new surface chemistry that specifically
resists the adhesion of slime.

The technology is the culmination of comprehensive research to understand slime growth. The development of the new polymer included a three year fundamental research programme involving a multi-discipline team of marine biologists, hydrodynamicists and polymer scientists. The team was supported by world renowned independent academic institutes, four years of laboratory testing and in service, full vessel performance data, from some of the world’s leading ship owners and operators.

AkzoNobel to Streamline
Structure and Office
Footprint in Germany

Following the recent announcements of
plans to divest both its Building Adhesives
business and Decorative Paints stores in
Germany, AkzoNobel has informed em-
ployees of its intention to streamline its
organizational structure in the country.

The proposals involve reducing the number of office locations from eight to three by the summer of 2014. The three offices will be based in Cologne, Hamburg and Stuttgart.

“By bringing office-based management and supporting staff together in fewer locations and better aligning them with the needs of our businesses in Germany, we aim to improve our operational effectiveness as well as lowering overheads,” said AkzoNobel Executive Committee member Werner Fuhrmann.

Currently, office employees working for diverse business units and the country organization are based in eight office locations spread across Germany. This highly fragmented footprint is the result of various mergers and acquisitions that have occurred during the years.

AkzoNobel’s main offices in Germany will be sited at a new location in Cologne, providing workspaces for approximatley 250 people. Sales offices in the north and south of the country will be consolidated in Hamburg and Stuttgart. The company expects to have completed the move by summer 2014.

“The need to further streamline our organizational structure in Germany has become increasingly clear in light of recent developments,” continued Fuhrmann.

This June, AkzoNobel’s Decorative Paints business in Germany announced plans to divest its network of more than 70 stores for professional painters, having determined it can better cater to this market by focusing distribution through independent wholesalers.

In August, AkzoNobel agreed to sell its Building Adhesives business to Sika AG. Nearly two thirds of Building Adhesives’ approximately 550 personnel are based in Germany. Going forward, AkzoNobel will align the supporting management and staff functions for the country with the organization’s changing dimensions.

When completed, these developments will result in a reduction of more than 25 percent in the total number of personnel employed by AkzoNobel in Germany to approximately 2,600.CW

Use grind gages more consistently.

Little Joe Industries offers the ADM Automatic Draw-Down Machine for use with grind gages. The ADM automates the draw down process controlling scraper angle, speed, and force. Since these aspects are no longer operator dependent your grind gage draw-downs will be more consistent while requiring less operator training and supervision.