New technology from Danish maritime start-up makes antifouling coatings greener and more cost-effective

EnCoat is a Danish company developing new antifouling solutions that can help reduce copper emissions into the marine environment. Through a patented encapsulation technology, the company is exploring how to lower raw material consumption in an industry facing increasing environmental regulation and economic pressure.

Below, you can read an interview with CEO Andreas Møgelhøj, offering insight into the people behind the company and the journey from idea to product.

What role do you play in the maritime industry?

“The current marine industry faces a critical double challenge within antifouling coatings that existing solutions cannot effectively solve.

First, an estimated 50,000 tonnes of copper are discharged into the world’s oceans each year from ship coatings. This substantial release places pressure on marine ecosystems and is subject to steadily increasing regulatory scrutiny worldwide.

Second, there is significant economic potential. In traditional antifouling coatings, copper accounts for approximately 40 per cent of the paint’s weight. With global demand for copper expected to double or even triple in the coming decades, manufacturers face rising raw material costs and squeezed margins.

EnCoat’s technology can halve copper emissions while also reducing production costs. By encapsulating the active material, the required amount can be reduced by up to 50 per cent without compromising performance,” explains Andreas Møgelhøj.

The story behind EnCoat

EnCoat originated as a spin-off project related to Novozymes, where the initial aim was to integrate enzymes into antifouling coatings. Eva Wallström joined as an expert consultant, but it quickly became evident that enzymes were too volatile for the purpose. To stabilise them, Eva developed a unique encapsulation technology. When the enzyme pathway proved too costly due to complex EU approval procedures, the project pivoted. Eva applied the technology to already approved active substances instead. Once it became clear that this approach could deliver raw material savings, EnCoat transitioned from a consultancy to a focused start-up.

The long road from idea to product

How did you move from identifying potential to building an actual business?

“Eva has run her own laboratory for decades and has served as an independent adviser to the coatings industry. Entrepreneurship came naturally as an extension of her technical curiosity. Through her extensive industry experience, she has built a very strong network.

Personally, I spent a decade at Haldor Topsoe. But when the opportunity arose to build a company from the ground up, it was hard to turn down.

Although we have proven the technology and are seeing industrial interest, the main barriers are inherent to the nature of the industry:

Time horizon. Biology cannot be accelerated. It requires 12 to 18 months of data from static panel tests to convince the industry of long-term durability, regardless of how strong our internal results are. In addition, the sector is dominated by large global players that do not change overnight.

Capital-intensive development. Financing advanced laboratory equipment, global patent families and lengthy testing processes requires significant patience and capital.

EnCoat is driven by two core values. First, we aim to serve as the crucial link between university research and practical implementation in everyday maritime operations. Second, we are committed to genuine sustainability. We seek environmentally sound solutions that are not greenwashing, but that solve real problems in a technically and economically superior way,” says Andreas Møgelhøj.

EnCoat has patented an inert encapsulation technology based on ingredients already approved for use in coatings. The key strategic advantage is that the solution does not require new EU approvals under the Biocidal Products Regulation, a process that typically takes ten years and costs around €10 million.

“The industry has existed for 100 years and is highly established. Our solution is scalable and relatively simple to implement. All we do is change one ingredient in the paint – the biocide – and replace it with an encapsulated version. This enables the entire industry to save costs while benefiting the oceans,” explains Andreas Møgelhøj.

Membership of Danish Maritime

What do you hope to gain from your membership of Danish Maritime?

“As a new member from 2026, we look forward to tapping into the strong network and using the association as a platform for dialogue with the broader Danish maritime cluster. We also hope it will provide additional visibility.

We are currently collaborating with several major market players to test the technology in practice. Our next step is to take the initial experiences further towards broader industry adoption.

Establishing our own pilot production facility is the next major milestone. This will enable us to supply the volumes required for the first large-scale test applications on ocean-going vessels,” concludes Andreas Møgelhøj.

About the people behind the company

Andreas Møgelhøj is CEO and brings 10 years of experience from Haldor Topsoe within sales and management, including three years stationed in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He holds a PhD in Physics and Chemistry from the University of Copenhagen and the Technical University of Denmark, including two years of his doctoral research at Stanford University.

Eva Wallström is CTO and founder of the company. She is one of the most experienced profiles in the industry, with nearly 40 years in the coatings sector as an independent consultant. She holds a Master’s degree in Materials Physics from Umeå University.

Additional facts

Andreas Møgelhøj is a passionate communicator and has won several international speaking competitions through Toastmasters International. His strength lies at the intersection of complex science and communication.

Eva Wallström possesses a rare combination of deep theoretical knowledge of materials and hands-on laboratory experience. After four decades in the industry, her expertise is invaluable.