Research Project in Santander!

One year ago, CPCL embarked on a collaborative research initiative with the University of Cantabria in Santander, Spain—home to a globally recognised team specialising in biofouling. This partnership brings together the university’s cutting-edge academic research and CPCL’s five decades of experience in anti-fouling technologies, with the shared goal of advancing marine infrastructure protection.

Led by Dr Sergio Garcia, Professor and Researcher at the University of Cantabria, and Marcus Hardy, CPCL’s Technical Support Manager, the first joint research project has now delivered its preliminary results—and they’re promising.

The research facility in Santander offers a unique advantage: access to real seawater from the Bay of Santander, allowing for authentic testing conditions. Combined with state-of-the-art laboratory analysis equipment, the team was able to trial new functionalities of CPCL’s Cuprion® system under realistic marine conditions.

Key Findings: Effective Fouling Remediation and Prevention

The study focused on fouling remediation and shock dosing, and the results are clear:

• Cuprion® system dosing effectively removes existing biofouling from pipework and vessels.
• This reduces the need for costly and time-consuming manual cleaning.
• Shock dosing has proven highly effective in preventing the build-up of biofouling, offering a proactive solution for long-term infrastructure maintenance.

These findings reinforce the value of Cuprion® as a reliable and efficient solution for marine biofouling challenges.

What’s Next: Exploring Anti-Corrosion Benefits

Building on the success of this initial project, the next phase of research will investigate the anti-corrosion properties of CPCL’s copper and aluminium anodes. The focus will be on how these materials protect metallic pipework in harsh marine environments—further enhancing the durability and sustainability of marine systems.

If you’d like further information or to discuss the findings, please contact us.  and don’t forget to check out our Anti-fouling webpage to see the services we offer.