Propspeed’s Foulfree Multi-Surface System has won the 2026 IBEX Innovation Award in the Boat Care and Maintenance category, highlighting the company’s continued commitment to developing innovative, biocide-free foul-release coatings.
Presented annually by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), the IBEX Innovation Awards recognise outstanding new products and technologies across the marine industry. Winners are selected by an independent panel of industry experts and announced during the IBEX Industry Breakfast.
“The Foulfree Multi-Surface System builds on what Propspeed has done for protecting exposed metal underwater,” said judge Tony Esposito. He highlighted the system’s ability to protect more than 20 non-metal surfaces on underwater components, including transducers, interceptors and bow thrusters, while providing dealers and boatyards with additional revenue opportunities.
Propspeed CEO Marcus Hamilton said the award was an important endorsement of the company’s commitment to addressing customer needs. “This recognition from experts across the marine industry is a strong validation of what we set out to achieve with Foulfree Multi-Surface,” he said. Hamilton explained that the goal was to develop a single coating system capable of protecting non-metal operational components below the waterline, regardless of their construction material.
Designed specifically for underwater non-metal components, Foulfree Multi-Surface is a three-step, biocide-free foul-release coating system suitable for factory-painted metals, plastics, composites, carbon fibre, PVC and Hypalon. The system has undergone extensive testing against ISO and ASTM criteria across more than 20 substrate classes, including original equipment manufacturer (OEM) components and factory coatings, achieving the highest adhesion ratings across all tested substrates.
Foulfree Multi-Surface complements Propspeed’s established coating range, extending protection across operational components and running gear below the waterline, excluding the hull. Together, Foulfree Multi-Surface for non-metal components and Propspeed for bare underwater metals provide boatbuilders, shipyards, marine service providers and boat owners with a comprehensive solution to help minimise marine growth and maintain equipment performance.
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