The system combines filtration and a proven, eco-friendly chemical treatment solution optimized for medium-sized to large vessels. The system is highly effective in water of any salinity, turbidity or temperature.
The intention is to advance to a full partnership by the end of 2016. Currently AVITALISTM is undergoing ship board testing IMO type approval and USCG land-based testing. It is anticipated that IMO type approval will be achieved in the first half of 2017, followed by USCG type approval later the same year.
The chemical used in the treatment process is PERACLEAN® Ocean, developed by Evonik Industries AG, the leading German speciality chemicals company. The PERACLEAN® family of biocides is well proven and widely used in the medical and foodstuffs and beverages industries, amongst others, to disinfect equipment. With a broad anti-microbial spectrum, it is effective even at low temperatures and rapidly decomposes into water, oxygen and acetic acid, which is readily biodegradable. As such it is expected to meet and exceed regulatory requirements well into the future.
Damen began discussions with Evonik two years ago regarding the latter’s research into marine applications for PERACLEAN®. In February 2016, Evonik formed an exclusive partnership with specialist, eco-friendly maritime equipment company TeamTec that combined Evonik’s research with TeamTec’s maritime know-how and analytical expertise to optimise AVITALISTM; a highly effective and dependable ballast water treatment system. With this latest agreement, Damen delivers the global sales, integration engineering installation and servicing capability via its 32 shipbuilding and repair yards around the world.
“For Damen our priority is always the highest quality possible,” said Barry Stolk of Damen Green Solutions. “TeamTec is a respected name in the marine industry with over 30 years of experience, and Evonik is a world leader in its sector. We have every confidence that the AVITALISTM ballast water treatment system has a great future ahead of it. This combination of Norwegian, German and Dutch expertise will be very effective indeed.”
“Marine equipment manufacturer TeamTec and the Damen Group has over many years developed a solid relationship based on mutual trust”, says Ole Bulien, TeamTec’s sales representative responsible for the Netherlands. “Damen Green Solutions provides its clients with perfect turnkey solutions for the integration of ballast water treatment systems both for new builds and on retrofits, including all stages of engineering and project management. This high quality and effective concept, based on the extensive ship building knowledge within Damen, fits perfectly with TeamTec’s core business of focusing on supplying well tested quality equipment plus relevant equipment integration support. We are glad and proud to be a part of this team.”
