Jotun and NTNU Join Forces to Develop Coatings of the Future
Jotun is a lead Premium Member of the Thai-Norwegian Chamber of Commerce and one of the world’s leading paint manufacturers, which has one of Europe’s largest private research centres. Recently, Jotun and the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) have joined forces to develop coatings of the future. In addition, the agreement is the first of its kind in the paint industry in Norway, and the collaboration with the NTNU may lead to reduced emissions from shipping and improved corrosion protection for onshore and offshore installations.
Support from the Research Council of Norway
Collaboration projects have already commenced on solutions that can reduce emissions from shipping. Methods include for example the use of innovative surface structures to reduce friction and corresponding fuel consumption. Another project looks into how creating air bubbles around the ship’s hull can improve propulsion and lower emissions, in combination with environmentally friendly antifoulings. These projects have also received support from the Norwegian Research Council.
The collaboration can also include PhD and Master’s theses, project collaboration, guest lectures and knowledge transfer between the parties.
“Jotun sees the importance of connecting business and academia even more closely in order to benefit from one another. As one of the country’s leading educational institutions, NTNU was our preferred partner, and we believe that the collaboration with NTNU will contribute to faster development and a higher innovation pace through faster access to competence and project collaboration,” says Morten Fon, President and CEO of Jotun.
“At the same time, we believe that the knowledge and experience Jotun possess will be useful for NTNU, and we want to contribute to academia becoming even more in touch with working life and industry-relevant,” he continues.
Positive for both parties
“Jotun is a world-leading player. NTNU can learn from Jotun, and we at NTNU can assist Jotun with research-based, interdisciplinary knowledge and an advanced research infrastructure. The collaboration is positive both for our research environments and for our students, who can contribute to socially relevant projects,” says Øyvind Gregersen, professor and dean at the Faculty of Natural Sciences at NTNU.
Sustainable solutions
As a leading supplier of marine paints and anti-corrosion paints, Jotun has in recent years developed increasingly advanced solutions, which among other things contribute to lower emissions of greenhouse gases and prolong the useful life of objects and installations. This coincides well with disciplines and competence environments at NTNU and facilitates a long-term collaboration.
“For Jotun, it is crucial to be at the forefront of market requirements and at the leading edge of development. The collaboration with NTNU makes conditions even better for developing new and sustainable solutions, for the benefit of both the environment and our customers,” says Christer Øpstad, Global R&D Director, Fouling Protection.
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