The Fraunhofer Institute for Production Engineering and Applied Material Research (IFAM) carried out a research subproject within the larger consortium project “FoulLas” to investigate how ultraviolet and infrared laser irradiation affects marine coatings and to develop a laser‑based cleaning method for ship hulls. The work focused on the interaction between laser parameters and coating composition, the resulting cleaning performance under realistic flow conditions, and the biological impact on fouling organisms. Standardised laboratory tests, including a flow‑cell system that simulates dynamic water flow, were used to benchmark the laser cleaning against conventional mechanical and chemical methods. The project also examined the ageing behaviour of coatings, the release of inorganic compounds during laser exposure, and the influence of additives such as metal oxides or nanoparticles on laser absorption and coating durability. Contact‑angle measurements and microbiological assays were performed to assess surface wettability and the viability of microorganisms after laser treatment. Parameter studies explored the effects of both infrared and blue laser wavelengths on cleaning efficiency and potential damage to the coating. An economic assessment was carried out to evaluate the cost‑effectiveness of the proposed laser‑cleaning approach compared with existing technologies.
From the experimental data a technical specification was derived that defines the required optical and mechanical properties of a coating suitable for laser cleaning. The specification emphasises high reflectivity and low absorption to minimise laser‑induced heating, while incorporating biofouling‑inhibiting additives that do not compromise adhesion. The subproject produced a pre‑selected formulation concept that combines multiple functional mechanisms—laser‑resistance, anti‑fouling, and mechanical robustness—without sacrificing performance in any single area. Although the report does not provide explicit numerical performance figures, it reports that the developed coatings meet the laser‑resistance criteria set by the specification and that laboratory cleaning tests show a significant reduction in fouling biomass compared with untreated controls. The ageing studies indicate that the coatings retain their optical properties after prolonged laser exposure, and the release tests confirm that no harmful inorganic substances are liberated during operation.
The collaboration involved IFAM’s departments of Adhesion Technology and Surface Engineering, the Laserzentrum Hannover e.V., and Laserline GmbH. IFAM provided coating formulation, laboratory testing, and field trials at its maritime technology test centre on Helgoland, while the Laserzentrum supplied laser equipment and expertise in laser‑material interactions, and Laserline contributed industrial laser systems and process optimisation. The project ran from 1 August 2019 to 31 December 2022, with a cost‑neutral extension to 41 months to accommodate unforeseen delays, including a temporary closure of Helgoland during the COVID‑19 pandemic. Funding was provided by the German Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Action and administered through the project sponsor Jülich. The consortium’s coordinated effort enabled a comprehensive assessment of laser‑based cleaning, resulting in a robust technical specification and a viable coating concept that can be further developed for commercial deployment in the marine sector.