Last week, POLYMAT researchers (Aitor Barquero, Edurne González Gándara, Jose Ramon Leiza, Mario Martinez Yubero and Sara Rubio Murillo) were in Mutriku coating the floaters of the floating photovoltaic prototype developed within the NaturSea-PV project. The floaters were protected with bio-based, waterborne polymer coatings developed by the Polymerization Processes Group, specifically designed to withstand harsh marine conditions.

These coatings combine high biobased content, hydrophobicity and antifouling performance, contributing to improved durability and reduced maintenance requirements of offshore PV substructures. Their formulation is supported by recent scientific advances showing how tetrahydrofurfuryl methacrylate enables the production of biobased, hydrophobic waterborne coatings with superior water resistance compared to conventional oil-based systems.

This on-site application represents a key step in the transition from laboratory research to real marine deployment, in line with NaturSea-PV’s objective to develop durable, low-carbon and environmentally friendly solutions for offshore floating photovoltaics. Further information about the project is available at https://www.natursea-pv.eu/, and the related scientific article can be consulted at https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0300944025001080.