F2 is an environmentally friendly hybrid polymer coating that effectively protects your vessel from underwater fouling. Unlike traditional antifoulants, F2 does not use biocides, toxins, or other harmful substances. Instead, it forms an extremely smooth, water-resistant surface that simply repels marine growth.

Key differences:

• Mode of action: Traditional antifouling constantly releases biocides into the water to kill organisms. F2, on the other hand, physically prevents fouling from settling in the first place.
• Environmental friendliness: F2 is 100% free of harmful substances such as biocides, silicones, PFAS/PTFE, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
• Durability: While traditional antifouling wears away over time and usually requires annual renewal, F2 is extremely durable and lasts at least 5 years with proper application and maintenance.

The main difference is in the mechanism of action. Both types of systems protect against fouling, but in fundamentally different ways.

Traditional antifouling
These products prevent fouling by constantly releasing biocides (chemical toxins) into the water. These substances kill microorganisms before they can attach to the surface. As the layer wears away over time, annual sanding and reapplication of antifouling is usually required.

Fouling-release systems
Fouling-release systems work entirely physically. They create an extremely smooth, water-repellent surface that makes it difficult for organisms to gain a foothold. Any deposits that do attach adhere very weakly. They remove themselves during normal navigation or can be removed with simple and gentle cleaning.

Important: Biocide-free does not automatically mean environmentally friendly

The label “biocide-free” is a good start, but it is not enough. Abrasion, solvents and PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) can also harm the environment.

F2 Eco meets the highest environmental standards: it is free of biocides, PFAS and solvents. Because it also does not wear away or release particles, no substances or pollutants enter the water. It is a true fouling-release system designed for a lifespan of at least five years.

Yes, the effectiveness and longevity of F2 Eco has been confirmed by an independent test record from the renowned Dutch institute Endures B.V.

Who is Endures B.V.?
Endures B.V. is an independent research institute in the Netherlands, specializing in marine biofouling systems and corrosion protection. F2 Eco has been tested under real, long-term conditions in salt water.

What was tested?
The study focused on the adhesion, surface condition and cleanability of F2 Eco. The aim was to evaluate the practical effectiveness of the biocide-free fouling-release system.

Key findings of the report
The report confirms the following:

• Adhesion was significantly reduced compared to untreated surfaces.
• Deposits (bioslime) are easily removed and usually require only gentle, occasional cleaning.
• The mechanically stable and smooth surface retained its characteristics throughout the testing period.

What does this mean for you?

F2 Eco works on the basis of chemistry and surface smoothness, not abrasion or biocides. The test proves that F2 enables predictable maintenance and offers long-term effectiveness, with an expected lifespan of at least five years (with proper application and maintenance).

No, no system can guarantee a 100% fouling-free surface. However, F2 offers extremely effective and long-lasting protection that minimizes fouling adhesion and significantly simplifies maintenance.

What you can expect:

• Almost no hard fouling: Hard fouling, such as barnacles, coral worms or mussels, hardly adheres to F2, as the extremely smooth and water-repellent surface prevents firm attachment.
• Effortless cleaning: Surface fouling, especially bioslime, can be easily wiped off with a cloth or soft sponge. Lengthy scraping or annual recoating is no longer necessary.
• Protection against structural damage: The F2 surface is not penetrable for organisms such as barnacles or coral worms. The coating remains intact even if the vessel is not cleaned for a long time.
• Natural self-cleaning effect: Some of the light fouling is removed during normal navigation. This effect is further increased at speeds of approximately 10 knots and above – depending on hull shape, sailing time and local conditions.

The effectiveness of F2 has also been confirmed in an independent test report by the Endures B.V. institute. It is confirmed that F2 minimizes hard fouling, while light deposits can be easily removed with gentle cleaning.

The F2 coating is extremely durable and designed not to wear away or release substances into the water. With proper application and normal sailing, F2 lasts for at least five years, and often much longer.

Why is F2 so durable?

No leaching or abrasion: Unlike traditional antifoulants that constantly dissolve in water, F2 remains on the hull as a solid, integral layer. It does not wear away and does not release any pollutants.

Easy refreshing: If the effectiveness decreases slightly after several years, a complete reapplication is not necessary. Simply clean the surface and apply a new layer of F2 Top Coat. The rest of the coating system remains intact.

UV stable and durable even on land: The F2 coating is UV-resistant and can remain on land indefinitely without losing effectiveness or peeling.

Protection against structural damage: Even if the vessel remains stationary in the water for a long time, F2 protects the hull from damage due to excessive fouling, as microorganisms cannot penetrate the surface.

This long-lasting protection ensures constant effectiveness and saves maintenance and repair costs in the long term.

Yes, F2 is 100% environmentally friendly. It has been developed to effectively protect your vessel without harming the environment or releasing harmful substances into marine ecosystems.

Why is F2 so environmentally friendly?

• No harmful substances: F2 Eco does not contain biocides, silicones, PFAS/PTFE, solvents or VOCs (volatile organic compounds). In contrast to traditional antifoulants, it does not contain any toxic active substances that could endanger marine life.

No leaching into the water: F2 does not wear away or release substances. This means that no particles or active substances enter the water.

Permitted in sensitive areas: Due to its composition, F2 is not subject to the strict provisions of the Biocidal Products Regulation (EU) No. 528/2012. This allows it to be used even in areas with particularly strict regulations, such as Denmark, Sweden, the Netherlands and sensitive inland waters, e.g. Lake Constance or the Rhine.

With F2, you actively contribute to cleaner seas and a sustainable future – without compromising on performance.

The F2 coating has a direct and positive impact on your vessel’s performance. Its extremely smooth, water-repellent surface significantly reduces drag in the water. This makes F2 particularly suitable for fast boats, racing yachts, and vessels designed for maximum performance and efficiency.

In practice, this means:

• Lower fuel consumption: The engine works less “against resistance,” leading to a noticeable reduction in fuel consumption.
• Greater range: With more efficient consumption, you can travel a greater distance with the same amount of fuel.
• Improved speed and performance: Especially compared to vessels with old, rough, or fouled surfaces, the F2 coating noticeably improves the vessel’s speed and responsiveness.

The precise effect depends on factors such as hull shape, vessel weight, and propeller condition.

No. When F2 is properly applied to a suitably prepared surface, it does not become brittle, flake, or peel. F2 was developed as a long-lasting, robust coating system that bonds strongly to the vessel’s hull. In contrast to traditional antifoulings, which dissolve over time, F2 remains intact and forms an exceptionally durable, abrasion-resistant protective layer. Peeling only occurs if the surface has not been properly prepared or if moisture is trapped.

The F2 coating is extremely durable and very stable against UV radiation. This means that the coating does not become brittle or flake, even if the vessel is ashore for an extended period. On the contrary, the protective layer remains intact and fully functional.

Because F2 does not dry out, it is not necessary to renew the coating before relaunching the vessel. Simply clean it and the vessel can be immediately returned to the water.

Yes, F2 is a new, but proven technology and one of the most advanced alternatives to traditional antifouling on the market.

F2 is backed by Ocean Coatings Ltd., founded in England in 2015 as a purely research-driven company with a clear mission: to replace toxic antifoulings containing biocides. Under the leadership of founder and inventor Keith MacGregor, holder of 32 international patents, a breakthrough was achieved with Zeronic™ — a biomimetic additive that creates the unique F2 surface.

This additive creates a surface that is so hydrophobic, hard, and smooth that marine organisms can barely adhere to it. As a result, biocides are no longer needed.

F2 offers significant advantages over classic antifouling, providing a durable, effective, and environmentally friendly alternative. It is a modern solution that not only saves work but also protects the environment.

• Environmental friendliness: F2 is 100% free of biocides, PFAS, and harmful solvents. It does not release substances into the water, actively protecting marine ecosystems.
• Long lifespan: In contrast to traditional antifoulings, which must be renewed annually, F2 lasts at least five years with proper application and maintenance, and often longer. This saves time and money in the long run.
• Better performance: The extremely smooth surface of F2 reduces the vessel’s drag in the water. This leads to a noticeable reduction in fuel consumption and improves speed and range.
• Easy maintenance: Hard fouling barely adheres to the smooth surface. Occasional gentle cleaning is sufficient to keep the underwater hull clean. Lengthy scraping or annual sanding are no longer necessary.

F2 EcoHull is available in six high-gloss color variations. The color is achieved through a combination of colored Adhesive Coat and transparent Top Coat.

F2 EcoHull Color System

The color is provided by the Adhesive Coat, which is available in black, white, and royal blue. Top Coat is always transparent and creates a smooth, hydrophobic surface. It is also optionally available with a silver sparkle effect, which makes application easier as you can immediately see where the coating has already been applied.

The combination yields the following high-gloss final results:

• Black Gloss (Deep Black)
• Sparkle Graphite (Black with Silver Sparkle)
• White Gloss (Pure White)
• White Sparkle (White with Silver Sparkle)
• Royal Blue (Vibrant Royal Blue)
• Royal Blue Sparkle (Royal Blue with Silver Sparkle)

Practical tips for choosing a color

The choice of color does not affect the coating’s performance. For vessels with a typical speed below 10 knots, we recommend darker shades, as a thin bio-layer is optically less noticeable on black than on white. A high-quality appearance is maintained for many years with proper maintenance.

Custom colors

Custom colors are available for large vessels or industrial clients, upon prior request.

Yes, but it is crucial to use the right product. F2 offers two specialized kits: F2 EcoHull for the underwater hull and F2 OptiProp, specifically for propellers and metal parts.

F2 EcoHull (for hull)

The EcoHull kit is a three-part coating as an alternative to classic antifouling for the entire underwater hull. Although it technically adheres to metal as well, its use on propellers is not recommended. Durability would be significantly reduced due to extreme shear forces and cavitation loads.

F2 OptiProp (for propellers)

F2 OptiProp is specifically developed for metal surfaces with high local stresses, such as propellers, shafts, drives, and trim tabs. It provides superior durability for more than 5 years (with proper application and maintenance), even under high loads. The special Super Bond Primer of the F2 OptiProp system is designed for these extreme conditions.

By reducing fouling, F2 OptiProp maintains the vessel’s efficiency, acceleration, and top speed. Both products are based on Zeronic™, our biomimetic additive that creates an extremely smooth, hydrophobic surface.

F2 is very durable, but it can be removed if necessary. For this purpose, F2 offers a special removal kit (EcoRemover).

The process is simple:

Apply the remover to the surface and cover it with foil.

After approximately 24 hours of exposure, the F2 coating easily peels off, down to the primer.

After this, the hull is returned to its original condition and can be recoated with another coating.

This process allows for easy transition to another system if needed.