News | American Chemet Corporation

Why Copper is Good at Killing Viruses

The SARS-CoV-2 virus endures for days on plastic or metal but disintegrates soon after landing on copper surfaces. Here’s why... By Jim Morrison SMITHSONIANMAG.COM APRIL 14, 2020

An Investigation into the Effects of Marine Biofilm On the Roughness and Drag Characteristics of Surfaces Coated With Different Sized Cuprous Oxide (Cu2O) Particle

Biofilm, often referred to as slime, can be formed within hours of ships or other marine structures being immersed in seawater. The biofilm can further lead to settlement of macrofouling organisms. As one of the mechanisms for ensuring fouling-free surfaces, metallic copper and copper compounds are commonly used as biocides in coatings exposed to seawater.

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The Shift in Antifouling Coating Regulations: from Risk to Efficacy

Fouling of underwater surfaces poses significant challenges for the global maritime sector. The attachment and growth of barnacles, algae, and other organisms can damage vessels, significantly decrease fuel economy and maneuverability, and transmit invasive species. To minimize these negative impacts, the maritime sector relies on effective antifouling coatings. Copper is by far the most widely used active ingredient (AI) in antifouling coatings and there are a limited number of alternatives.

Neal Blossom Speaking at Biocides 2018

American Chemet's very own Director of Quality Assurance and Global Regulatory Affairs, Neal Blossom, is speaking at the Biocides 2018 conference in San Francisco this November.

An experimental investigation into the effect of Cu2O particle size on antifouling roughness and hydrodynamic characteristics by using a turbulent flow channel

An experimental investigation into the effect of Cu2O particle size on antifouling roughness and hydrodynamic characteristics by using a turbulent flow channel.

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New American Chemet building going up in East Helena

American Chemet Corporation is a global leader in producing metal-based products that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and make industries more efficient.

American Chemet Supports East Helena Elementary School Suicide Prevention Program

American Chemet and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana provided almost $17,000 in grant funding to train Kindergarten through third grade teachers on the PAXIS Institute Good Behavior Game last month. Teachers in Kindergarten through third grade will implement the program with a goal to develop coping skills for social, emotional and behavioral challenges that will last a lifetime

Antifouling Copper Approval Ensures Savings, Performance

Sep 20, 2016 12:31 PM

Jotun believes the European Union’s decision to approve the use of copper in marine antifoulings will ensure continued delivery of powerful benefits for both the shipping industry and environment. Copper is a key ingredient of most antifouling coatings, valued for its ability to provide the best overall balance of environmental protection and cost savings.

Marine Coatings: Making Sense of Copper-Based Antifouling Regulations

“Biofouling control has tremendous environmental benefits that range from energy savings to slowing the spread of invasive species. Over regulating copper-based antifouling coatings—the most proven and utilized [marine] coatings in the world, which have been universally approved by numerous countries worldwide based on the results of exhaustive human health and environmental studies—is questionable.

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Copper in Antifoulings

This article gives an updated overview of the use of copper in antifouling paints. In the first part, the worldwide regulatory status is summarized, for both commercial vessels and pleasure craft, based on the results from the detailed scrutiny of copper that has been undertaken by regula- tors in recent years in countries such as the United States, Australia, New Zealand and the EU.

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