German chemical company BASF is taking part in an EU research project that is looking at ways of preventing marine organism build-up on a ship's hull. Launched in March 2005 on a budget of Euro 17.0 million, the five-year AMBIO project (Advanced Nanostructured Surfaces for the Control of Biofouling) is a collaboration involving 30 partners from the business and science sectors in 14 countries. Its goal is to use nanostructuring to reduce the adhesion of organisms to surfaces in aquatic environments, thereby controlling the fouling process without the use of biocides such as copper or organotin compounds.

"The AMBIO project is interesting for BASF because it offers the possibility of developing the trendsetting technology of nanostructuring in a transnational project with leading scientists," says Dr Ekaterina Helwig, who coordinates BASF's involvement in EU projects in the company's university relations and research planning unit. "At the same time, the use of our innovative products contributes to sustainable development."

Biofouling is an issue with both environmental and economic consequences. For example, ships with fouled hulls require 40 per cent more fossil fuel to travel at the same speed as unfouled vessels. This significantly increases emissions of CO2 and other greenhouse gases. The current trend is to use controversial biocides such as copper and organotin compounds that prevent fouling by killing the organisms. However, a forthcoming EU-wide ban on antifouling paints containing organotin compounds comes into effect as of January 1, 2008. New developments in nanotechnology mean that the creation of nanostructured surfaces could offer an eco-friendly alternative to the problem of biofouling.

With production facilities in more than 100 large sites worldwide, BASF claims to be the world's leading chemical company, with annual sales of around Euro 37 billion in 2004. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products, agricultural products and fine chemicals to crude oil and natural gas.