ANTIFOULING PAINT

Abstract: The present invention relates to self-polishing marine antifouling paint compositions comprising rosin or rosin equivalent(s), optionally fibres, and one or more polymeric flexibilizer component(s). The rosin part of the paint preferably comprises ammonium or metal salts of rosin and/or rosin qualities having a low content of conjugated double bonds, i.e. a low degree of unsaturation. The non-crystalline flexibiliser components have a glass transition temperature, Tg, in the range of -45 to 25 DEG C and are preferably selected from poly(meth)acrylates, polyacrylamides, copolymers and terpolymers thereof, acrylamide resins, acrylic acrylamide resins, polyvinyl ethers, polyvinyl esters, polyesters, polyoxy-C1-5-alkylenes, polyurethanes, and epoxy esters. The fibres are preferably natural or synthetic inorganic or organic fibres or metal fibres. The paints have improved mechanical properties such as strength and resistance towards weathering.

Description: ANTIFOULING PAINT FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to antifouling paints that prevent unwanted fouling organisms from attaching and growing on immersed structures that come in contact with water, especially sea water, for example vessels (including but not limited to boats, yachts, motorboats, motor launches, ocean liners, tugboats, tankers, container ships and other cargo ships, submarines, and naval vessels of all types), pipes, shore and off-shore machinery, constructions and objects of all types such as piers, pilings, bridge substructures, underwater oil well structures, nets and other aquatic culture installations, and buoys etc. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION On underwater structures and on ship's hulls which are exposed to sea and/or fresh water, attachment and growth of marine organisms such as green algae, such as Enteromorpha spp. and Ulva spp., diatoms, such as Amphora spp., tubeworms, barnacles such as Balanus spp. , ascidians, sponges, hydroids etc. cause severe economic losses because of the increased friction (and therefore increased consumption of fuel), or increased resistance to waves or currents (for static structures such as off-shore rigs), and because of decreased un-docking time. In order to solve the fouling problem several antifouling paint technologies have been developed. Some technologies are based on the principle of incorporating biologically active agents into the paint. However, in order to obtain a satisfactory incorporation and a proper controlled release of the biologically active agents, the mechanical properties of the antifouling paint, e.g. the mechanical strength of the paint and the ability of the paint to adhere to other paints, may be impaired. Another antifouling paint technology that has been investigated for a number of years, is the use of self-polishing antifouling paint compositions in which the polymer of the binder system is a trialkyltin derivative of a polymer containing carboxylic acid groups in the monomer segments, the alkyltin groups being situated on the carboxylic acid groups. However, the increasing problem of pollution with tin compounds in, e.g., harbours has led to intensive research efforts to provide tin-free self -poUshing antifouling paints. The search for binder systems for tin-free self-polishing antifouling paints, on the one hand having inherent self-polishing properties and exhibiting good capabilities for incorporation of biologically active agents, and on the other hand being able to convey a good mechanical strength of the paint film, has so far been a difficult task. One way of obtaining binder systems for antifouling paints, such as for tin-free self-polishing antifouling paints, is to employ substances such as rosin or rosin equivalents as part of the binder system. Rosin or rosin equivalents has a number of highly desirable properties for use in antifouling paints; due to its water solubiUty it is capable of releasing biologically active agents into the water at a controUed rate. Also, it is compatible with a large number of binder components; this faciUtates the formulation of a final coating product. Furthermore, it is readily available, relatively cheap and originates from a self-renewable natural source. In principle, the water solubiUty gives the opportunity of obtaining a high poUshing rate in a rosin-containing paint if a high proportion of rosin or rosin equivalent is incorporated. However, inclusion of a high proportion of rosin or rosin equivalents in order to ensure a poUshing rate optimal for practical purposes leads to an antifouling paint having severe mechanical deficiencies, such as cracking tendencies and poor resistance to weathering. Therefore, due to the inherent mechanical deficiencies of such self -poUshing binder systems, their poUshing properties can not be fuUy expressed. The appUcant's previous appUcation, WO 96/15198, provides solutions to this problem, however, the apphcant has now, after further development work, found important improvements and alternatives to the invention previously described. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention, i.a., relates to a marine antifouling paint comprising rosin or rosin equivalents, one or more polymeric flexibihzer component(s), and fibres. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The marine antifouling paint according to the present invention is preferably a self-poUshing antifouling paint. The present invention provides an antifouling paint which contains a high proportion of rosin or rosin equivalents, such as a proportion of 15% by soUds volume of the paint or even more, such as up to 80% soUds volume of the paint, but which, at the same time, has satisfactory mechanical properties which render it reahstic to employ such paint for normal and even demanding anti- fouling purposes, such as being exposed to sunUght for prolonged periods of time, or being exposed to cycles of immersion/sunhght exposure as it happens in the water-line of a ship. Thus, this mvention makes it possible to utihse the desired beneficial properties of rosin and rosin equivalents in antifouhng paints, and to increase the content of rosin or rosin equivalents with fuU or substantiaUy fuU retainment of the crucial antifouling properties of the paints, and even enhancement of the antifouling properties due to the incorporation of higher amounts of rosin or rosin equivalent(s). This may be achieved by using polymeric flexibihzer component(s) in combination with reinforcing fibres and rosin and rosin equivalents. Thus, by setting up special requirement to the quahty of the rosin or rosin equivalents and the polymeric flexibilizer component(s), the properties of antifouling paints may be improved. In the present context, the terms "self-polishing" and "poUshing" are intended to mean that the coating in question, or the paint when dried up as a coating, under the test conditions described in the PoUshing Rate Test herein, is subject to a reduction of the thickness of the coating of at least 1 μm per 10,000 Nautical miles (18,520 km) of relative movement between the coated surface and the surrounding aqueous medium due to removal of coating material from the surface of the coating. In the present context the terms "mechanically weak" and "mechanical deficiency" relate to a paint which (a) when in the Steel Panel Elongation Test herein shows micro or macro cracking when elongated 4 mm or (b) when tested in Laboratory Cracking Test herein results in a ranking of below 5. Alternatively, mechanical weakness or deficiency of a paint can also be identified by testing the paint in the Direct Impact test or the Mandrel Test described herein; i.e. mechanical deficiency is also identified for a paint tested in the Mandrel Test herein showing failure when using a mandrel having a diameter of 20 mm, or tested in the Direct Impact Test herein showing failure when hit by the standard weight dropped from a height of 40 cm. In the present context the term "marine" relates to any kind of aqueous environment such as salt, brackish or fresh water. The term "immersed" relates to structures being contacted with such a marine environment. In the present context the term "% by soUds volume" is intended to mean the volume/volume percentage of the dry matter of the paint. According to the present invention, the paint comprises a polymeric flexibiUzer as well as fibres. The fibres may, in principle, be any fibres which, either in the native form or after surface modification, are capable of being incorporated in an antifouling paint having mechanical deficiencies, but preferably, the fibres are fibres which will improve the mechanical strength of an antifouling paint tested in the Laboratory Cracking Test herein. The fibres may, as it will be clear from the description of the manufacture processes further below, be added together with the remaining paint constituents before milling or may be added afterwards. In the present context the term "fibres" is intended to mean any fibres withm the groups of natural inorganic fibres, synthetic morganic fibres, natural organic fibres, synthetic organic fibres, and metallic fibres, or mixtures thereof, preferably morganic or organic fibres or mixtures thereof Furthermore, the term "fibres" is intended to cover monofilaments, split fibres, and stable fibres of any cross section Thus, the term also compπses bands, needles, whiskers, and strips The fibres may or may not have been surface treated or coated However, the term "fibre" is not intended to mclude materials which are used as fillers (e.g thixotropic agents and frayed type fiUers with no weU defined dimensions such as asbestine), cf Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary, 11 th Ed , (Sax and Lewis, eds ), Van Nostrand Reinhold Company, New York, 1987, page 521 Thus, it is preferred that the ratio between the largest dimension (typicaUy the average fibre length) and the smallest dimension (typicaUy the average fibre thickness) of the "fibres" used in the paints according to the present mvention is at least 5, such as at least 10 Examples of morganic fibres are carbide fibres such as silicon carbide fibres, boron carbide fibres, niobium carbide fibres, nitride fibres such as sikcon nitride fibres, boron containing fibres such as boron fibres, bonde fibres, sihcon-contammg fibres such as sihcon fibres, alumina-boron - silica fibres, E-glass (non-alkaline alumoborosihcate) fibres, C-glass (non-alkahne or low-alkahne soda Ume-alumoborosihcate) fibres, A-glass (alkaline soda kme-silicate) fibres, S-glass fibres, CEMFIL-glass fibres, ARG-glass fibres, mineral-glass fibres, non-alkahne magnesia alumosilicate fibres, quartz fibres, silicic acid fibres, silica fibres, high-silica fibres, alumina high- sibca fibres, alumosilicate fibres, aluminium silicate fibres, magnesia alumosilicate fibres, soda borosihcate fibres, soda suicate fibres, polycarbosilane fibres, polytitanocarbosilane fibres, polysilazane fibres, hydridopolysilazane fibres, tobermoπte fibres, samarium suicate fibres, woUastomte fibres, potassium aluminium suicate fibres, metal fibres such as iron fibres, aluminium fibres, bismuth fibres, antimony fibres, wolfram fibres molybdenum fibres, chrome fibres, copper fibres, germanium fibres, rhodium fibres, bervlhum fibres, and metal aUoy fibres thereof such as bronze fibres, aluminium-nickel aUoy fibres, copper-tin alloy fibres, steel fibres, oxide fibres such as zirconia fibres, alumina fibres, magnesia fibres, zinc oxide fibres, indium oxide fibres, titanium oxide fibres, beryllium oxide fibres, nickel oxide fibres, thorium oxide fibres, yttrium oxide fibres, potassium titanate fibres, carbon fibres such as pure carbon fibres, graphite fibres, slagwool fibres, charcoal fibres sulphide fibres such as zinc sulphide fibres, cadmium sulphide fibres, phosphate fibres such as hydroxyapatite fibres, calcium hydrogen- phosphate (brushite) fibres, neodymium pentaphosphate fibres, and silver phosphate fibres, calcium sulphate fibres tin iodide fibres, calcium lodate fibres, calcium fluoride fibres, mica fibres such as muscovite fibres phlogopite fibres, biotite fibres sodium aluminium hydroxycarbonate fibres, rockwool fibres such as pure rockwool fibres and basalt rockwool fibres, processed mmeral fibres from mmeral wool, volcanic rock fibres, montmorjllonite fibres, atapulgite fibres, calcmed bauxite fibres, etc , modified by any chemical or physical processes, and any mixture thereof Examples of natural and synthetic organic fibres are aromatic polyamide fibres such as polyfø- benzamide) fibres, poly(p-phenylene-terephthalamιde) fibres, poly(p-phenylene-2,6- naphthalamide) fibres, poly(3,4'-dιphenylether-terephthalamιde) fibres, poly(p-phenylene-(p- benzamιde)-terephthalamιde) fibres, poly(p-benzhydrazιde terephthalamide) fibres, poly(m- phenylene-isophthalamide) fibres, poly(N,N'-m-phenylene-bιs(/π-benzamιde)-terephthalamιde) fibres, poly(N,N'-m-phenylene-bιs(/n-benzamιde)-2,6-naphthalamιde) fibres, poly(N,N'-m- phenylene-bιs(m-benzamιde)-4,4'-bιphenyl-dιcarboxamιde) fibres, poly(4,4'-bιs(p-amιnophenyl)- 2,2'-bιthιazole-ιsophthalamιde) fibres, poly(2,5-bιs(p-amιnophenyl)- 1 ,3,4-oxa-dιazole-ιso- phthalamide) fibres, poly(4,4'-dιamιnobenzanιhde-ιsophthalamιde) fibres, poly(2-methyl-p- phenylene-2,6-naphthalamιde) fibres, poly(2,6-dιchloro-p-phenylene-2,6-naphthalamιde) fibres, aromatic polyhydrazide fibres such as poly(terephthahc-m-phenylene-hydrazιde) fibres, poly(terephthahc-hydrazιde) fibres, poly(p-phenylene-N-methyl-hydrazιde) fibres, aromatic polyester fibres such as poly(chloro-l,4-phenylene-ethylene-dιoxy-4,4'-benzoate-co-terephthalate) fibres, poly(chloro-l,4-phenylene-4,4'-oxydιbenzoate) fibres, poly(methyl-l,4-phenylene-4,4'- oxydibenzoate) fibres, poly(chlorophenylene-hexahydroterephthalate) fibres, aromatic polyazomethme fibres such as poly(nιtrιlo-(2-methyl-l,4-phenylene)nιtrιlomethyhdyne-l,4- phenylenemethyhdyne) fibres, aromatic polymude fibres such as aromatic polypyromellitimide fibres, aromatic polytrimellitimide fibres, polyester-imide fibres, poly(4,4'-dιphenyl-ether- pyromelhtimide) fibres, aromatic heterocychc polymeric fibres such as polybenzimidazole fibres such as poly-(2,2'-(m-phenylene)-5,5'-bιbenzιmιdazole) fibres, polybenzothiazole fibres such as poly(2-(l,4-phenylene)-2'-(6,6'-bιbenzothιazole)) fibres and poly(2-(l,3-phenylene)-2'-(6,6'- bibenzothiazole)) fibres, polybenzoxazole fibres such as poly((l,7-dihydrobenzo(l,2-d 4,5- α")dιoxazole-2,6-dιyl)-l,4-phenylene) fibres and poly((benzo(l,2-ri 4,5-d')bιsoxazol-2,6-dιyl)-l,4- phenylene) fibres, polyoxadiazole fibres such as polyarylene-l,3,4-oxadιazole fibres, ceUulose fibres such as α-ceUulose fibres, β-ceUulose fibres, mmeral ceUulose fibres, methyiceUulose fibres, ceUucotton fibres, regenerated ceUulose (rayon) fibres, ceUulose acetate fibres, jute fibres, cotton fibres, linen fibres, ramie fibres, sisal fibres, heme fibres, flax fibres, cyanoethylated ceUulose fibres, acetylated ceUulose fibres, wood fibres such as pme, spruce and fir wood fibres, hgnin fibres and fibres of hgnin derivatives, rubber fibres and fibres of derivatives of rubber, polyolefin fibres such as polyethylene fibres, polypropylene fibres, polytetrafluoroethylene fibres, poly- butadiene fibres, polyacetylene fibres, polyester fibres, aery he fibres and modified acrylic fibres such as aery he acid fibres, styroiyacrylate fibres, acrylomtrile fibres such as acrylonitnle fibres and polyacrylomtrile fibres, elastomeric fibres, protem fibres such as casern fibres, maize protem fibres, soybean protein fibres, groundnut protem fibres, alginate fibres, poly(ethylene terephthalate) fibres, polyvinyl alcohol fibres, ahphatic polyamide fibres such as nylon fibres e g nylon 6 6 fibres, nylon 6 fibres, nylon 6 10 fibres, poly(phenylene sulphide) fibres, polyvinyl¬ chloride fibres, polychloroethene fibres, poly(bιsbenzιmιdazobenzophenanthrohn) fibres, polyoxy- methylene fibres, polyurethane fibres, vmyl polymeric fibres, viscose fibres, etc , modified by any chemical or physical processes, and any mixture thereof Preferred examples of fibres are siUcon-containing fibres, metal fibres, oxide fibres, carbon fibres, rockwool fibres, processed mmeral fibres from mineral wool, volcanic rock fibres, woUastonite fibres, montmoriUonite fibres, tobermorite fibres, biotite fibres, atapulgite fibres, calcmed bauxite fibres, aromatic polyamide fibres, aromatic polyester fibres, aromatic polyimide fibres, cellulose fibres, wood fibres, rubber fibres and fibres of derivatives of rubber, polyolefin fibres, poly- acetylene fibres, polyester fibres, acryhc fibres and modified acrylic fibres, acrylomtrile fibres, elastomeric fibres, protem fibres, alginate fibres, poly(ethylene terephthalate) fibres, polyvinyl alcohol fibres, ahphatic polyamide fibres, polyvinylchloride fibres, polyurethane fibres, vinyl polymeric fibres, and viscose fibres, modified by any chemical or physical processes, and any mixtures thereof EspeciaUy preferred fibres are E-glass (non-alkaline alumoborosilicate) fibres, C-glass (non- alkahne or low-alkahne soda Ume-alumoborosilicate) fibres, mineral-glass fibres, woUastonite fibres, montmordlonite fibres, tobermorite fibres, biotite fibres, atapulgite fibres, potassium aluminium silicate fibres, metal oxide fibres, rockwool fibres, processed mineral fibres from mineral wool, volcanic rock fibres, calcmed bauxite fibres and bauxite fibres, aromatic polyamide fibres, aromatic polyester fibres, ceUulose fibres, wood fibres, rubber fibres and fibres of derivatives of rubber, polyolefin fibres, polyacetylene fibres, polyester fibres, acrylomtrile fibres, aUphatic polyamide fibres, and polyvinylchloride fibres, ceramic fibres, sdicone fibres, and ar amide fibres, modified by any chemical or physical processes, and any mixtures thereof EspeciaUy preferred mmeral fibres are mineral-glass fibres, woUastonite fibres, montmoriUonite fibres, tobermorite fibres, biotite fibres, atapulgite fibres, calcmed bauxite fibres, volcanic rock fibres, bauxite fibres, rockwool fibres, and processed mmeral fibres from mineral wool Examples of commerciaUy available fibre-types which improve the mechanical properties of, e g , the Model pamt A herem are (average fibre length in μm, average fibre thickness in μm) 1 Inorphil 061-10 ex Laxa Bruk AB (Sweden), synthetic mmeral fibre (140,4) 2 Inorphd 161-10 ex Laxa Bruk AB (Sweden), synthetic mmeral fibre (140,4) 3 Inorphd 361-10 ex Laxa Bruk AB (Sweden), synthetic mineral fibre (140,4) 4 Inorphil 061-20 ex Laxa Bruk AB (Sweden), synthetic mmeral fibre (160,4) 5 Inorphil 461-20 ex Laxa Bruk AB (Sweden), synthetic mineral fibre (160,4) 6 Inorphd 061-30 ex Laxa Bruk AB (Sweden), synthetic mineral fibre (200,4) 7 Inorphd 061-60 ex Laxa Bruk AB (Sweden), synthetic mmeral fibre (300,4) 8 RF 5104 ex Lapinus Fibres BV (The Netherlands), volcanic rock fibre (125,5) 9 RF 5118 ex Lapmus Fibres BV (The Netherlands), volcanic rock fibre (650,5) 10 F PA 222/040 ex Schwarzwalder Textd-Werke (Germany), polyamide (500, 15-30) 1 1 F PA 240/040 ex Schwarzwalder Textil-Werke (Germany), polyamide (500,15-30) 12 F PA 230/040 ex Schwarzwalder Textd-Werke (Germany), polyamide (500,15-35) 13 F PAC 238/040 ex Schwarzwalder Textd-Werke (Germany), polyacrylomtrde (500,-) 14 F PES 231/040 ex Schwarzwalder Textd-Werke (Germany), polyester/polyamide (500, 10-20) 15 F PP 261/040 ex Schwarzwalder Textd-Werke (Germany), polypropylene (500,21) 16 FB 1/035 ex Schwarzwalder Textil-Werke (Germany), cotton (400,3-12/10-40) 17 FZ 320/040 ex Schwarzwalder Textil-Werke (Germany), paper ceUulose (400 20-100) 18 F PAC O 245/040 ex Schwarzwalder Textd-Werke (Germany) polyacrylomtrde preoxidized (500, 10-12) 19 F 501/050 ex Schwarzwalder Textd-Werke (Germany), jute (500,30-500) 20 FG 400/060 ex Schwarzwalder Textil-Werke (Germany) E-glass (230,9-14) 21 FG 400/300 ex Schwarzwalder Textd-Werke (Germany), E-glass (400,9-14) 22 FG 400/100 ex Schwarzwalder Textd-Werke (Germany), E-glass (250,9-14) 23 FG 440/040 ex Schwarzwalder Textd-Werke (Germany), E-glass (150,9-14) 24 F 550/1 S ex Schwarzwalder Textd-Werke (Germany), mineral glass (500,4 4) 25 F 554/1 SR ex Schwarzwalder Textd-Werke (Germany) rockwool (500,5) 26 F 580/1 S ex Schwarzwalder Textd-Werke (Germany) ceramic (500,2 8) 27 Hostapulp ex Schwarzwalder Textd-Werke (Germany), polyethylene (200,-) 28 Sylothix 51 ex Grace AB (Germany), polyethylene (400,-) 29 Sylothix 52 ex Grace AB (Germany), polyethylene + sdica (400 -) 30 Sylothix 53 ex Grace AB (Germany), polyethylene + sihca (100,-) 31 Arbocel BE 00 ex J Rettenmaier & Sohne GmbH + Co (Germany) ceUulose (120,20) 32 Arbocel BC 1000 ex J Rettenmaier & Sohne GmbH + Co (Germany), cellulose (700,20) 33 Arbocel BWW-40 ex J Rettenmaier & Sohne GmbH + Co (Germany), ceUulose (200,20) 34 Lignocel C 120 ex J Rettenmaier & Sohne GmbH + Co (Germany) conder (70-150,-) 35 Lignocel C 250 A ex J Rettenmaier & Sohne GmbH + Co (Germany), conifer (150-250,-) 36 Technocel 300 ex C F F CeUulose-FuUstoff-Fabπk (Germany) ceUulose (65% <90,-) 37 Technocel 200 ex C F F CeUulose-FuUstoff-Fabrik (Germany) ceUulose (80% <90,-) 38 Technocel 150 DU ex C F F CeUulose-FuUstoff-Fabπk (Germany), cellulose (95% <90 -) 39 Technocel 90 DU ex C F F CeUulose-FuUstoff-Fabrdc (Germany) ceUulose (65% <32,-) 40 Technocel 400 C ex C F F CeUulose-FuUstoff-Fabrik (Germany), ceUulose (-,-) 41 Ricen PC ex Montefibre fltaly), acrylonitrde (-,-) 42 Nyad G ex Nyco Minerals (U S A), woUastonite (length/diameter ratio 15 1) 43 M 40 ex Mesalles (Spam) rubber (60,-) 44 Tixal 102 ex Tixal (Germany), C-glass (-,-) 45 Tixal 202 ex Tixal (Germany), C-glass (-,-) 46 RCF-600 ex Sumitomo (Japan), C-glass (820,-) 47 RCF-160 ex Sumitomo (Japan), C-glass (250,-) 48 RCF-140 ex Sumitomo (Japan), C-glass (175,-) 49 RCF-140G ex Sumitomo (Japan), C-glass (175,-) 50 RCF-140N ex Sumitomo (Japan), C-glass (175,-) 51 Kevlar Txp (6F542) ex Du Pont (Switzerland), aramide (800,12) 52 Kevlar Txp (6F539) ex Du Pont (Switzerland), aramide (1200,12) When considermg various fibre-containing compositions known m the art of coating, it should be understood that epoxy-materials, e g cladding compositions for marine purposes, comprising glass fibres, e g E-glass fibres, C-glass fibres, A-glass fibres, S-glass fibres, and ARG-glass fibres, are not to be considered as falling withm the scope of the present mvention This is especiaUy due to the fact that the epoxy materials are considered mechanicaUy "strong" in themselves The surface of the fibres may or may not have been modified by chemical or physical processes Examples of such modification processes used to improve the beneficial effects of the fibres are carbonization, sdylation, etchmg such as treatment with alkalimetal hydroxide, treatment with hydrofluoric acid, coatmg, polyelectrolytic entrapment in the porous surface structures, adsorption processes, hydrogen-bonding processes, esterdication processes, cationic bonding processes, anionic bonding processes, polymerisation processes, cross-linking processes, etc as weU as any modification processes mcluded in the manufacturing of the fibres When water soluble fibres are mcorporated m self-polishing paint coatmgs, it is envisaged that the surface of the paint coatmg containing water-soluble fibres may be smoother than that of a coatmg contammg water insoluble fibres, m that the bmder components as weU as the fibres are eroded away simultaneously In the present context the term "water soluble fibres" is intended to mean that the fibres, as a major constituent, comprise a material which has a water solubility of at least about 1 mg/kg at 25°C as determmed by ASTM Designation E 1148 Non-hmiting examples of such water soluble fibres are zmc oxide fibres, polyvinyl alcohol fibres, protem fibres, acryhc acid fibres, ceUulose fibres, etc Without being bound to any theory, it is envisaged that the morganic fibres, in particular the mmeral fibres, mentioned above have the most mterestmg properties with respect to ease of incorporation into the pamt (before or after mixing/mdling), i e the compatibdity between the fibres, both in the native form as weU as in any surface modified form, and the rosin-based bmder system, as well as the polymeric flexibihzer, is favourable The preferred fibres for use in the paints according to the invention seem to be fibres which are considerably coarser than fiUers or paint additives normaUy used in antifouUng paints. Whde the present invention is not to be limited to any particular theory, it is beUeved that even a relatively low volume concentration of such rather coarse fibres wdl be able to counteract micro cracking during the early phases of the drying/hardening of the paint, and that the thus lower concentration of micro cracks permit the relatively low domain-wise concentration of the relatively coarse fibres to sufficiently efficiently counteract macro cracking. Whether or not this appUes, what is most remarkable - and extremely valuable - is that it is possible to counteract the weU-known mechanical weakness of rosin and simdar materials with concentration of fibres which do not disturb the antifouUng or (where appUcable) the self -poUshing properties of the paint. Preferred fibres (added to the paint during manufacture) have an average length of 25-2000 μm and an average thickness of 1-50 μm with a ratio between the average length and the average thickness of at least 5, especiaUy an average length of 50-500 μm and an average thickness of 1- 25 μm with a ratio between the average length and the average thickness of at least 10, in particularly an average length of 50-300 μm and an average thickness of 2-10 μm with a ratio between the average length and the average thickness of at least 15, such as at least 20. Also, fibres having an average length of 80-200 μm and an average thickness of 2-20 μm with a ratio between the average length and the average thickness of at least 10 may advantageously be used. It can be expected that during the paint manufacture process (see further below), the average length of the fibres will be shghtly reduced, e.g., due to the milling process. It is beUeved that the paint manufacture process should be performed so that the fibres in the ready-to-use paint have an average length of 25-2000 μm and an average thickness of 1-50 μm with a ratio between the average length and the average thickness of at least 5, especiaUy an average length of 25-500 μm and an average thickness of 1-25 μm with a ratio between the average length and the average thickness of at least 5, in particularly an average length of 25-300 μm and an average thickness of 2-10 μm with a ratio between the average length and the average thickness of at least 5. Also, paint containing fibres having an average length of 50-200 μm and an average thickness of 2-20 μm with a ratio between the average length and the average thickness of at least 10 may advantageously be used. The concentration of the fibres is normaUy in the range of 0.1-30% by solids volume of the paint, such as 0.5- 10% by solids volume of the paint. EspeciaUy relevant concentrations of fibres, of course depending upon the type and size of the fibres, may be 2- 10%, such as 2-7%, or 3-10%, such as 3-8% by soUds volume of the paint. Preferred fibres according to the mvention are those which, when mcorporated in Model Pamt A (as descπbed m Example 1 and m the absence of a polymeric flexibihzer) in an amount of 4 parts by volume and tested in the Laboratory Crackmg Test herein, results m a cracking rankmg of at least 1 , preferably a crackmg rankmg of at least 2, especiaUy at least 3 Self-pobshmg antifouUng pamts may be combmed with biologicaUy active agents (see further below) In this case, self-pohshing antifouling pamts should be designed to regulate the leachmg of biologicaUy active agents by a controUed, and preferably undbrm, dissolution of the paint through the entire coating hfetime, usuaUy 2-5 years The optimal design and performance of self-pohshing antdouhng pamts depends on several variables associated with the ship profile and sailing pattern Temperature, fouling intensity, salinity, dry-docking intervals, speed, and activity are the mam factors that influence the pamt behaviour Thus, it should be possible to tador make antifouUng pamt havmg pohshmg rates m a wide range so that the pamt technology is apphcable for a number of different vessel types NormaUy a ship operating at low speed with very low activity in an area of a high fouling intensity, e g a contamer ship sading on Smgapore, will need a relatively fast self -poUshing antifouUng pamt, e.g. havmg a pohshmg rate m the range of 10-30 μm per 10,000 Nautical mdes, in order to release sufficient amounts of biologicaUy active agents to keep the huU clean On the other hand a ship operatmg at high speed with very high activity m an area of a low to moderate fouling intensity, e g coastal fishing vessels m Iceland, wdl need a relatively slow self-polishing antifouling pamt, e g havmg a pohshmg rate m the range of 1-3 μm per 10,000 Nautical mdes Different types of rosm and rosm equivalents have different sea-water solubύity and softenmg points as wdl be obvious for the person skdled in the art The pohshmg properties of a pamt are, i α., depending on the amount and hydrophύicity of the polymeric flexibύizer and the amount and type of rosm and rosm equivalents Thus, a requirement to the pamt technology mtroduced with the present mvention it that it should be possible to adjust the pohshmg rate in a range of, e g 1-50 μm per 10,000 Nautical mdes, by varymg the relative amounts of the bmder component(s), especiaUy rosm and rosm equivalents), and the flexibdizer component(s) In the present context the term "rosin-based bmder system" is mtended to mean the bmder phase of a pamt consists of at least 30%, by soUds volume of the bmder system as a whole, of rosm or rosin equιvalent(s) As a balance, the rosm-based bmder system comprises up to 70%, by sohds volume of the bmder system as a whole, of one or several further bmder components Examples of such further bmder components are ods such as linseed od and derivatives thereof, castor od and derivatives thereof, soy bean oil and derivatives thereof, polymeric bmder components such as saturated polyester resins, polyvmylacetate, polyvmylbutyrate, polyvmylchloπde-acetate, copolymers of vinyl acetate and vinyl isobutyl ether, vmylchlonde, copolymers of vinyl chloride and vmyl isobutyl ether, alkyd resms or modified alkyd resms, hydrocarbon resms such as petroleum fraction condensates, chlorinated polyolefines such as chlormated rubber, chlormated polyethylene, chlormated polypropylene, styrene copolymers such as styrene/butadiene copolymers, styrene/methacrylate and styrene/acrylate copolymers, acrylic resms such as homopolymers and copolymers of methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate, n-butyl methacrylate, isobutyl methacrylate and isobutyl methacrylate, hydroxy-acrylate copolymers, polyamide resms such as polyamide based on dimeπzed taU od fatty acids, cychzed rubbers, epoxy esters, epoxy urethanes, polyurethanes, epoxy polymers, hydroxy- polyether resms, polyamme resms, etc , as weU as copolymers thereof The polymeric bmder components have for the purpose of the present mvention certain characteristics with respect to glass transition temperature, so that these components, m combmation with the rosm or rosm equιvalent(s), the polymeric flexibdizer(s), and any other necessary or desirable pamt constituents, are able to form a rigid pamt film Thus, each of the polymeric bmder components has, as a matter of definition, a glass transition temperature (T g ) of more than 25°C Preferably, the T g of each of the polymeric bmder components is at least 30°C Each of the individual further bmder components may be self-pohshing or non -soluble In the present context, the term "rosm" is intended to mean gum rosm, wood rosm of grades B, C, D, E, F, FF, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, W-G, W-W (as defmed bv the ASTM D509 standard), virgin rosm, hard rosm, yeUow dip rosm, NF wood rosm, taU od rosm, or colophony or colophonium, as weU as any of the smgle constituents of natural rosm quahties, e g , abietic acid, abietunc acid, sylvic acid, dihydroabietic acid, tetrahydroabietic acid, dehydroabietic acid, neoabietic acid, pimaπc acid, laevopimanc acid, lsopimaπc acid, sandaracopimaπc acid, palustπc acid, dextro- pimanc acid, isodextro-pimaric acid, dextro-pimarinal, isodextro-piπiarinal, xanthoperol, tatarol, podocarpic acid, phyUocladen, sugiol, ferrugmol, himokiol, manool manoyloxide, ketomanoyloxide, cativimc acid, eperuanic acid and aU other rosm components based on the diterpene skeleton of abietic acid, as well as any mixtures thereof It is understood that the term "rosm" may indicate any mixtures of the chemical species mentioned above as weU as any of the chemical species as such In the present context the term "rosin equivalents" is intended to mean all types of rosin (as defined above) modified or derivatised according to any of the foUowing chemical reactions or processes: polymerisation/oligomerisation; esterification; metal salt formation/formation of metaUic resinates; ammonium salt formation; decarboxy lation; hydrogenation; dehydrogenation- hydrogenation/disproportionation/dismutation; addition; oxidation; isomerisation; acylation; alkylation; amidation; arylation; Diels-Alder reactions such as maleinisation and fumarisation; 1,3-dipolar addition; epoxidation; formylation; hydrocarboxy lation; hydroboration; halogenation; hydration; hydroformylation; hydroxy lation; hydrometaUation; oxyamination; reduction; sulphonation; aminomethylation; dicarbalkoxylation; ozonolysis; as weU as mixtures thereof. A number of the above-mentioned reactions or processes are expected to lead to rosin equivalents which have superior paint constituent properties with respect to improvement of the mechanical properties and/or control of the self -poUshing properties in that the water-solubility and/or the reactivity of the thus modified rosin quaUties have been altered. Thus, it is beUeved that polymerisation/oUgomerisation, metal salt formation/formation of metalUc resinates, ammonium salt formation, hydrogenation, dehydrogenation-hydrogenation/disproportionation/dismutation, Diels-Alder reactions such as maleinisation and fumarisation, and isomerisation wdl lead to rosin equivalents which are especiaUy advantageous for the antifouling paints according to the invention. As examples of commerciaUy avadable rosin and rosin equivalents can be mentioned: (a) rosins: Chinese Gum Rosin WW ex China National Export (China); Colophony la ex Ciech (Poland); Gum Rosin WW ex Resipez (Portugal); Portuguese WW ex A.V. Pound & Co. Ltd (U.K.); Honduras Balsamharz X ex C. E. Roeper (Germany); Breu WW ex Resiprates (Brazd); Breu WW, No. 2 ex Markit (Brazil); Colofast Breu WW ex SheU (Brazd); Portuguese Gum Rosin Grade WW ex Calo Chemicals Inc. (U.S.A.); China Gum Rosin, Grade X ex Harima Kasei (Japan) Breutex ex Eucartex (Brazd); Colofonia WW ex Adrizyl (Brazd); Brazdian Y/2A Gum Rosin ex A.V. Pound & Co. Ltd (U.K.); Breutex Gum Rosin WW/X ex Hermann Ter HeU & Co (Germany); Portuguese Balsamharz WW ex Hermann Ter HeU & Co (Germany); Sadboat Brand Rosin ex Wuping Country Forest Products Chemical Factory, Qunzhhou, Fujing Province (China); Resigral ex DRT (France); Gum Rosin High Grade WW/WG ex Dr. R. A. Stepanian (Austria); (b) metal resinates: Terpenato 620 NN50 ex RESISA (Spain); Terpenato ND-0872 ex RESISA (Spain); Terpenato 670 ex RESISA (Spain); Bevires 130 ex BERGVIK (Sweden); Magnesiumhartharz V 112 ex Robert Kraemer (Germany); Oulu 362 ex EITSILUOTO OY (Finland); MKK-1678 ex VEITSILUOTO OY (Finland); (c) polymerized rosin: Erkapol 220 ex ROBERT KRAEMER (Germany); Erkapol 209 ex ROBERT KRAEMER (Germany); Colophane Dismutee H ex GRANEL MUNOZ (Spain); Residis polymer ex URE (Spain); K-10 ex DRT (France); Bremar 85/7 ex ROBERT KRAEMER (Germany); Polyharz 9566 A/60 ex ROBERT KRAEMER (Germany); Polyresin 60/2 ROBERT KRAEMER (Germany); Bevitack 95X ex BERGVIK (Sweden); Bevitack 115 ex BERGVIK (Sweden); Bevitack HA ex BERGVIK (Sweden); Bevitack 320 ex BERGVIK (Sweden); Dertopol ex DRT (France); Dimerex ex HERCULES (HoUand); Poly-Pale ex HERCULES (HoUand); Sylvatac 95 ex ARIZONA CHEMICALS (U.S.A.); Oulumer 70 ex VEITSILUOTO OY (Finland); (d) metal resinates of polymerized rosin: Resifor 205 ex URE (Spain); Erkazit L ex ROBERT KRAEMER (Germany); (e) hydrogenated or partiaUy hydrogenated rosin: Resin SH ex Andreas Jennow (Denmark); Resin H ex Andreas Jennow (Denmark); Foral AX ex HERCULES (HoUand); Foral AX-E ex HERCULES (U.S.A.); Foralyn Resin ex HERCULES (HoUand); Hydrogral ex DRT (France); Pinecrystal KR-85 ex ARAKAWA CHEMICAL INC (U.S.A.); KR-612 ex ARAKAWA CHEMICAL INC (U.S.A.); Hypale ex ARAKAWA CHEMICAL (U.S.A.); STAYBELITE ex HERCULES (HoUand); STAYBELITE 570 ex HERCULES (HoUand); Chinese Hydrogenated Rosm ex A.V. Pound & Co. Ltd. (U.K.); Foralyn ex HERCULES (HoUand); Hydrogenated Gum Rosin ex Necarbo (HoUand); (f) esters of hydrogenated rosins: Foralyn 90 ex HERCULES (HoUand); (g) dismutated or disproportionated rosins: Resin 731 D ex HERCULES (HoUand); Residis ex URE (Spain); Residis 455 ex URE (Spain); Gresinox ex DRT (France); Recoldis ex GRANEL Y MUNOZ (Spain); Recoldis A ex GRANEL MUNOZ (Spain); Dispro Rosin ex ARAKAWA CHEMICAL INC (U.S.A.); Gresinox 511 ex GRANEL MUNOZ (Spain); Gresinox 578 M ex GRANEL MUNOZ (Spain); Unitac 68 ex UNION CAMP (U.K.); and (h) other types of modified rosins: Resin B-106, Acid modified ester ex HERCULES (HoUand); Resiester F-110, Fumaric acid rosin adduct partiaUy esterified ex URE (Union Resinera) (Spain); Resiester GR-51, Maleic rosin adduct esterified with glycerol ex URE (Spain); Resiester MR, Monoethyleneglycol ester of rosin ex URE (Spain); Resiester R-10, Monoethyleneglycol ester of maleic rosin adduct ex URE (Spain); Colmodif 295 F, Fumaric acid rosin adduct ex URE (Spain); Colmodif R-230, Maleic anhydride rosin adduct ex URE (Spain); Resiester C, Fumaric acid rosin adduct partiaUy esterified ex URE (Spain); Colmodif R-330, Maleic anhydride rosin adduct ex URE (Spain); Rokrapal SH, PhenoUc modified rosin ex ROBERT KRAEMER (Germany); Rokrasin 839, Glycerol ester of rosin ex ROBERT KRAEMER (Germany); Oulumer 75 E, Partially polymerized taU oil rosin and esterified with pentaerythritol ex VEITSILUOTO OY (Finland); Oulumer 85 E, PartiaUy polymerized and esterified taU od rosin ex VEITSILUOTO OY (Finland); Sylvatac RX, Stabdized taU od rosin ex ARIZONA CHEMICALS (U.S.A.); Zonester 65, Pentaerythritol ester of disproportionated taU od rosin ex ARIZONA CHEMICALS (U.S.A.). Rosin and rosin equivalents with free acidic groups (e.g. carboxyUc acid groups) are able to react with other paint ingredients susceptible to interactions with an acidic functionahty, i.e. by salt formation. Examples of such possible interacting paint ingredients are inorganic oxides and hydroxides such as zinc oxide, cuprous oxide, and calcium hydroxide, leading to the zinc, copper, and calcium salts, respectively. Furthermore, rosin or rosin equivalents may also react with ammonia and organic compounds, e.g. amines, which wiU leave the acidic group of the rosin or rosin equivalent(s) in the form of an ammonium salt. This being said, it is envisaged that chemical reaction/modification of the rosin or rosin equivalent^) may take place either before mixing of the component, i.e. by using metal resinates or other resinates, or after mixing of the paint component, i.e. by reaction between some of the paint components and the rosin or rosin equivalent. Thus, the term "rosin equivalents" is of course also intended to include any reaction products formed by reaction between the rosin or rosin equivalent contained in the composition and any other of the components of a paint composition, e.g. copper resinate which is a reaction product of cuprous oxide and rosin. The advantages by using metal resinates instead of rosin or rosin derivatives as such are, e.g. , faster drying and increased hardness of the paint compared to the same paint with unreacted rosin. Thus, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the rosin part of the antifouUng paint according to the invention comprises one or more of the foUowing metal salts of rosin: zinc resinate, copper resinate, aluminium resinate, calcium resinate, and magnesium resinate, preferably at least zinc resinate, copper resinate, and calcium resinate, or a combination of such metal salts. Such salts may be formed in situ when mixing rosin with other paint constituents or may be used as such. Furthermore, it is envisaged that other resinates, e.g. ammonium resinates, may possess properties which can be advantageous for the antifouUng paints of the present invention. An dlustrative example of an amine which can react with a rosin or rosin equivalent to the corresponding ammonium resinate is the biologicaUy active agent 2-methylthio-4-tert-butyl- amino-6-cyclopropylamine-s-triazine. It should be understood, that a combination of metal salts and ammonium salts is possible within the meaning of the present invention. In a further embodiment of the present invention, the rosin part of the paint comprises one or more ammonium salts. In the present context, the term "rosm or rosm equιvalent(s)" is mtended to mean any of the individual components comprised withm the meanmg of "rosm" and "rosm equιvalent(s)" as weU as any mixtures thereof Several different quaUties of rosin are commerciaUy avadable for different purposes, cf the list above In order to obtain a pamt composition which is sufficiently stable to weathermg, e g exposure to Ught and oxidation by atmospheric or sea-water dissolved oxygen, it may be advantageous to use rosm or rosm equivalents wherem the content of rosm and rosm equivalent components havmg carbon-carbon double bonds susceptible to oxidation is low Looking at the abietic acid skeleton, the tendency to reaction with, e g , oxygen is related to the presence of conjugated carbon-carbon double bonds, i e. abietic acid has two double bonds sensitive to oxidation One way of estimating the content of non-aromatic double bonds (or actuaUy the degree of unsaturation) m a rosm sample (e g 100 mg/mL dissolved m CDCU) is by usmg 'H-NMR techniques The mtensity of resonances arising from hydrogen atoms bound to unsaturated (but not aromatic) carbon atoms (in the range 54 8-5 3 relative to tetramethylsdane (TMS)) relative to the mtensity of resonances arismg from hydrogen atoms bound to saturated carbon atoms (in the range 50 5-2 5 relative to TMS, 100%) is believed to be a suitable and reliable measure for the content of unsaturated carbon-carbon bonds (non-aromatic double bonds) and, thus, also for the tendency for the rosm sample to become oxidised The determmation of the intensities can easdy be performed by usmg NMR spectrometers operating at at least 200 MHz m combination with signal mtegration software as reahsed by the person skdled in the art With respect to the degree of unsaturation (as discussed above) it is believed that the unsaturation value for natural sources of rosm is around 6% Thus it is believed that advantageous qualities of rosm are those which have an unsaturation value of less than 6%, such as less than 5%, preferably less than 4%, especiaUy less than 3 5%, in particular less than 3% Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment of the present mvention the rosm or rosm equιvalent(s) compπse(s) less than 40% by weight of abietic acid preferably less than 30% by weight, such as less than 20% by weight, m particular less than 15%, such as less than 10%, by weight of abietic acid As abietic acid is not the sole compound havmg two conjugated double bonds (neoabietic acid, palustric acid, and levopimaπc acid are other examples), it is preferred that the rosm or rosm equιvalent(s) used in the pamt according to the present mvention compπse(s) less than 50% of abietic acid-type compounds (1 e compounds having the abietic acid tptracychc skeleton) having two conjugated double bonds, preferably less than 40%, such as less than 30%, in particular less than 20%, such as less than 15% of abietic acid-type compounds havmg two conjugated double bonds Determmation of the content of abietic acid and abietic acid-type compound may be performed by usmg ultraviolet spectroscopy (UV) techniques or mfrared spectroscopy (IR) (preferably Fourier transformation IR) techniques as reabsed by the person skilled m the art, e g. as described m Naval Stores (Stump, J H ed ), Chapter 25 Quality Contol (TaU od, rosm and fatty acids), page 860, and ASTM Designation D 1358-86 The bmder system as a whole comprises, as a matter of definition, at least 30%, by soUds volume of the binder system, of rosm or rosm equivalents It is preferred that the amount of rosm or rosm is higher than 30%, such as 40% or higher, by soUds volume of the bmder system, in particular 50% or higher, such as 60% or higher, by sohds volume of the bmder system, or even higher such as 70% or higher by soUds volume of the bmder system In an interesting embodiment of the present mvention, the content of rosm or rosin equιvalent(s) in the bmder system is m the range of 85-100% It is clear that the remammg part of the rosin-based binder system is constituted by further binder components, such as oils and polymeric binder components Thus, the content of further binder components is (by definition) 70% or less by sohds volume of the bmder system Preferably, the content is 60% or less, such as 50% or less, especiaUy 40% or less, or even 30% or less by soUds volume of the bmder system In particular embodiments, the content is 0-15% by sohds volume of the bmder system In a further preferred embodiment of the marme antifouling pamt according to the mvention, the amount of rosm or rosm equivalen s) is in the range of 15-80% by sohds volume of the pamt, more preferably 20-70%, such as 20-60%, by sohds volume of the pamt, in particular 25-60%, such as 25-50%, by sohds volume of the pamt Furthermore, it is preferred that the further bmder components constitute 0-20% such as 0-15%, in particular 0-10% by sohds volume of the paint With respect to the total amount of bmder components, i e rosm or rosm equivalents, ods, and polymeric bmder components (aU m aU called the bmder system), it is preferred that the bmder system is present m the pamt m an amount of 15-80%, preferably 20-70%, such as 25-60%, m particular 35-60%, such as 35-50% by sohds volume of the pamt It has proved useful to utdise the rosm or rosm equivalent m the form of the metal salt, e.g m the form of the zmc, copper, or calcium salt Thus, m a preferred embodiment of the mvention, at least a part of the rosm or rosm equivalent is m the form of the metal resmate and the amount of metal resmates is preferably higher than 20% by sohds volume of the rosm-based bmder system, preferably higher than 30%, such as higher than 40%, by sohds volume of the bmder system, m particular higher than 50%, such as higher than 60%, by sohds volume of the bmder system In a preferred embodiment of the marine antdouhng pamt according to the present mvention the rosm-based bmder system as a whole, i e rosm and rosm equιvalent(s) and any further bmder components, is of a hydrophdic kmd or is rendered hydrophdic by chemical or physical processes (e.g hydrolysis and complexation) when mcorporated m the pamt or when contacted with the marine environment (e.g. hydrolysis, exchange of ions, or mechanical erosion) Either by mherence or by one or more of these processes the antdbuling pamt as a whole is rendered self- pohshing In the present context the term "hydrophiUc bmder system" is intended to mean that the component m question is characterised by havmg a surface tension in the range of 30-80 mN/m such as 30-70 mN/m, preferably 40-80 mN/m, especiaUy 50-80 mN/m, such as 60-80 mN/m An important and mterestmg feature of the antdouling pamts of the present mvention is the presence of a polymeric flexibihzer, which is used for adjustmg the mechanical properties of the rosm-based bmder system as weU as the pohshmg properties of the pamt In the present context it should be understood that the term "polymeric flexibdizer" relates to one or several of the polymeric flexibdizer components defmed below In order to distinguish the polymeric flexibdizers from the polymeric bmder components, the glass transition temperature (T g ) of the polymeric flexibihzer component(s) is by definition at the most 25°C The polymeric flexibdizer component^) can be selected from any polymer class which can be tailored by appropriate choice of monomers to have a glass transition temperature at the most 25°C, however, it is beheved that polymers derived from monomers from the foUowmg monomer classes are of special mterest alkenes such as ethene, propene, and butene, perhaloalkenes such as tetrafluoroethylene, dienes such as halo-l ,3-butadιene, alkyl- 1,3-butadιene such as isoprene, and alkoxy- 1,3- butadiene, acrylates and methacrylate (known as (meth)acrylates) such as Ci lβ-alkyl (meth) aery lates e.g. , methyl (meth)acrylate, ethyl (meth)acrylate, 1 -propyl (meth)acrylate, 2-propyl (meth)acrylate, 1- butyl (meth) acrylate, 2-butyl (meth)acrylate, iso-butyl (meth)acrylate, and tert-butyl (meth)- acrylate, cycloalkyl (meth)acrylate e.g. cyclohexyl (meth)acrylate, haloalkyl (meth) acrylates e.g. 2-chloroethyl (meth)acrylate, hydroxy-Ci io-alkyl (meth)acrylates e.g. 2-hydroxyethyl (meth)- acrylate, l-hydroxy-2-propyl (meth)acrylate, and 2-hydroxy-l -propyl (meth)acrylate, alkoxyalkyl (meth)acrylates e.g methoxyethyl (meth)acrylate and ethoxyethyl (meth)acrylate; benzyl (meth)acrylates and substituted analogues hereof, e.g. analogues substituted one, two or three time on the benzene ring with Ci 7-alkyl, Ci 7-alkoxy, hydroxy, thio, cyano, nitro, or halogen, and polyoxy-Ci 6-alkylene(meth)acrylate, e.g. polyoxyethylen(meth)acrylate and polyoxypropylene- (meth)acrylate, styrenes such as styrene and α-methylstyrene optionaUy substituted m the 2-, 3-, or 4-posιtιon with Ci 7-alkyl, Ci 7-aUcenyloxy, Ci 7-alkoxy, hydroxy, thio, cyano, nitro, or halogen, acrylamides (acrylamides as weU as methacrylamides) such as acrylamide, N-Cι-7-alkyl- acrylamide e.g. N-methylacrylamide, N-ethylacrylamide and N-propylacrylamide, N-Cι-7-dιalkyl- acrylamide e.g. N,N-dιethylacrylamide, N-hydroxy-Ci 7-alkylacrylamιde e.g. N-methylol- acrylamide, and N-Ci 7-alkoxy-Cι 7-alkylacrylamide, e.g. N-tert-butoxymethyl-acrylamide, vinyl ethers such as vmyl methyl ether, vmyl ethyl ether, vinyl propyl ether, vinyl ethylbutyl ether, vinyl hexyl ether, vmyl 2-ethylhexyl ether, and vmyl cyclohexyl ether, aUyl ethers such as aUyl methyl ether, aUyl ethyl ether, aUyl propyl ether, aUyl hexyl ether, aUyl 2-ethylhexyl ether, aUyl cyclohexyl ether, and polyoxyalkylene aUyl ether such as polyoxyethylene aUyl ether, maleic acid, fumaric acid, and maleic anhydride, as weU as derivatives thereof, and vinyl esters such as vmyl esters of C220 linear or branched alkanoic, alkenoic, and alkadienoic acids It should be understood that the above-mentioned monomers may be mcluded in homopolymers as weU as m copolymers Monomers from the same class as weU as monomers from ddferent classes may give rise to such copolymers as will be clear for the person skdled m the art It is beheved that the foUowmg homopolymers and copolymers are especiaUy relevant as examples of polymeric flexibdizer components withm the present invention polyalkenes such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and polybutene, polydienes such as poly (halo- 1-butenylene), poly(alkyl-l-butenylene), and poly (alkoxy- 1- butenylene), poly(meth)acrylates (polyacrylate-type polymers) such as polymers of the acrylate and methacrylate monomers mentioned above, as weU as acrylate, methacrylate, and acrylate/methacrylate copolymers, preferably random copolymers, polystyrenes such as polymers and copolymers of the styrene monomers mentioned above, as weU as copolymers of the above-mentioned styrene monomers and the above-mentioned (meth)acrylate monomers, polyacrylamides such as polymers and copolymers of the acrylamide monomers mentioned above, copolymers and terpolymers of the above-mentioned acrylamide and methacrylate monomers and the above-mentioned (meth)acrylate and styrene monomers, e g acrylic acrylamide resms such as poly(styrene-co-acrylate esters-co-acrylamides) and poly(ethylacrylate-co-styrene-co- acrylamides), ("polyacrylamide-type" polymers refers to the polymers defmed above under "polyacrylamides" and "copolymers and terpolymers ") fluoro polymers, polyvinyl ethers (polyvinyl ether-type polymers) of the vmyl ethers mentioned above, and copolymers thereof, preferably random copolymers, and polyvinyl esters such as esters of C220 linear and branched alkanoic, alkenoic, and alkadienoic acids, and copolymers thereof, preferably random copolymers, e g poly(vιnyl acetate-co-vinyl laurate) Furthermore, the flexibdizer component(s) may also be selected from other types of polymers, e g condensation polymers, such as polyoxy-Ci 5-alkylenes and analogues thereof substituted with Ci 7-alkoxy, halogen, cyano, polyesters such as polyesters from ahphatic saturated or mono- or diunsaturated as weU as cycloahphatic and aromatic C430-dι-, tn-, or tetracarboxyhc acids and C2 i6-α,ω-dιhydroxyalkanes such as propanediol, butanediol, and pentanediol, trihydroxyaUcanes such as glycerol, polyhydroxyalkanes, and polyoxyalkylenediols, -tπols, and tetraols, such as poly- oxyethylenediols, polyoxyethylenetπols, polyoxyethylenetetraols, polyoxypropylenediols, polyoxypropylenetnols, polyoxypropylenetetraols, polyoxyethylene-co-polyoxypropylenediols, polyoxyethylene-co-polyoxypropylenetπols, polyoxyethylene-co-polyoxypropylenetetraols, and polyoxybutylenediols, saturated polyesters, saturated hydroxyl, low branched polyesters, unsaturated polyesters, and od-free polyesters, as weU as any other polyesters known to the person skilled m the art, e.g the polyesters described m F Pdati "Comprehensive Polymer Science The Synthesis, Characterization, Reactions & Appbcation of Polymers", Sir Geoffrey AUen (ed ), Volume 5, 1989, pp 275-329 and A Fradet, ibid., pp 331-344, aromatic and ahphatic reacted and unreacted polyurethanes and hydroxy derivatives hereof, such as elastomeric polyurethanes, as weU as any other polyurethanes known to the person skdled in the art, e g the polyurethanes described m K C Frisch and D Klempner, ibid , pp 413-426, polysulfides such as poly(thιo-ιsobutylene), poly(thιo-methylane), poly(thιo-propylen), poly(oxyethylene,dιthιoethylene), poly(oxyethylene,thιoethylene), as weU as any of the weU know polysulfides illustrated by the ones described in Vietti, D E pp 533-542, polyamides, e g the polyamides described m R J Gaymans and D J Sikkema, ibid , pp 357-373 and L WoUbracht, ibid., pp 375-386, polyimines such as polyethyleneimine as weU as any other polyimmes known to the person skdled m the art, e.g the polyimmes described m B Sdhon, ibid ,pp 499-532, epoxy esters such as epoxy-modified alkyd resms e g short od epoxy esters and epoxy -modified conjugated drymg fatty acids, polysdoxanes such as ahphatic and aromatic substituted polysdoxanes, and as well as any of the condensation polymers described m the applicants' publication WO 96/14362 EspeciaUy mterestmg polymers among those are poly(meth)acrylates, polyacrylamides as weU as copolymers and terpolymers hereof, acrylamide resms, acryhc acrylamide resms, polyvinyl ethers, polyvinyl esters, polyesters, polyoxy-Ci 6-alkylenes, polyurethanes, and epoxy esters Particularly mterestmg polymers are polymers of the foUowmg types polyvinyl ether-type, polyacrylamide-type, and polyacrylate-type It is beheved that copolymers of aU of the above polymer-types may be used, however, it is envisaged that in these cases random copolymers may be especiaUy advantageous due to the lesser tendency to crystaUmity Furthermore, for random copolymers only one T g can be measured Examples of mterestmg commerciaUy avadable polymeric flexibdizers are PLEXISOL B-372 ex ROHM, Germany, PARALOID C-10 LV ex ROHM & HAAS, U S A , ALBURESIN HA 14 ex ALBUS, Spam, SYNOCRYL 7013 ASB and SYNOCRYL 839S ex CRAY VALLEY, Spam, LTW RESIN ex HULS, Germany, URACRON CS 106 XB, URACRON CS 104 M, URAFLEX EU 66 N, URAFLEX EU 110 Ml, URAFLEX EU 221 Ml ex DSM HoUand, JAGALYD FES 421 and JAGOTEX F 238 ex JAGER, Germany, LUMIFLON 552, NEOREZ U-480, and NEOREZ U-322 ex ZENECA, Spam, LUTONAL M40 ex BASF, Germany, LARODUR 103 RB ex BASF, Germany, WORLEEDUR MF 45 and WORLEEDUR D 46 ex WORLEE, Germany, and VINNAPAS B 100/20 VL and VINNAPAS B 500/20 VL ex WACKER, Germany The homopolymers and the copolymers mentioned above can, if they are not commerciaUy avadable, be prepared by methods known within the field of polymer technology It has been found that the polymeric flexibdizers have to fulfil certam criteria with respect to their glass transition temperature and their weight average molecular weight in order to express the fuU scope of the rosm-based antifouUng pamts according to the mvention Thus, the glass transition temperature (T g ) of the polymeric flexibihzer component(s) is (as mentioned above) by definition below 25°C Preferably T g is m the range of -45 to 25°C, such as in the range of -45 to 0°C, more preferably in the range of -45 to -25°C, such as -40 to -30°C for some of the polymers, or m the range of -40 to -20°C, such as -35 to -25°C, or even m the range of -20 to 0°C, such as -15 to -5°C Also the T g range of -30 to 25°C may be apphcable of some of the polymers In the case where at least one component of the polymeric flexibdizer, preferably the majority of the components, is of the polyvinyl ether-type, the glass transition temperature (T g ) of such components is preferably the range of -40 to -20°C Alternatively, if at least one component of the polymeric flexibdizer, preferably the majority of the components, is of the polyacrylamide-type, the glass transition temperature (Tg) of such components is preferably the range of -30 to 25°C, e.g. in the range of -30 to -10°C or in the range of 0 to 25°C. Furthermore, in the case where at least one component of the polymeric flexibdizer, preferably the majority of the components, is of the polyacrylate-type, the glass transition temperature (Tg) of such components is preferably the range of -30 to 0°C. As a matter of definition, the weight average molecular weight of the polymeric flexibiUzers is at least 1,000. GeneraUy, the weight average molecular weight of the polymeric flexibilizer components should preferably be at least 2,000, in particular in the range of 2,000-250,000, such as in the range of 5,000-200,000, preferably in the range of 7,000-175,000. Furthermore, it is beUeved that the polymeric flexibilizer components should be non-crystalline compounds in order for the function of the polymeric flexibiUzer compound to be fuUy expressed. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the polymeric flexibiUzer constitutes at least 0.5% by sohds volume of the paint, preferably 0.5-40% by sohds volume of the paint, such as 1- 20% by soUds volume of the paint, in particular 2-20%, such as 2-15% by soUds volume of the paint. Preferred polymeric flexibdizer components according to the invention are those which, when incorporated in Model Paint A and tested in the Laboratory Cracking Test herein (see Example 1), results in a crackmg ranking of at least 3, preferably a cracking ranking of at least 4. Thus, the present mvention also relates to a marine antifouUng paint comprising a binder system which comprises at least 30% by sohds volume of rosin or rosin equivalent(s), the binder system being present in the paint in such an amount and having such a composition that the paint when tested in (a) the Laboratory Cracking Test herein results in a ranking of below 5, or (b) the Steel Panel Elongation Test herein show micro or macro cracking when elongated 4 mm in the absence of any principle counteracting the mechanical deficiency, the paint further comprises (a) one or more kind of fibres, which, when incorporated in Model Paint A (as described in Example 1 (in the absence of a polymeric flexibdizer)) in an amount of 4 parts by volume and tested in the Laboratory Crackmg Test herem, result m a crackmg rankmg of the Model Pamt A of at least 1, and (b) one or more polymeric flexibihzer components, which when mcorporated in Model Pamt A (as described in Example 1 and tested m the Laboratory Crackmg Test herem), result m a crackmg rankmg of the Model Pamt A of at least 3 A preferred embodiment of the marme antdouhng paint according to the present invention is a paint wherem the rosm-based bmder system (rosm and rosin equιvalent(s) and any further binder components) combmed with the polymeric flexibdizer component(s) have a pohshmg rate of at least 1 μm, such as m the range 1-50 μm, per 10,000 Nautical mdes, preferably at in the range of 1-30 μm 60%, by sohds volume, of a mixture of the rosin -based bmder system and the polymeric flexibdizer m the relevant relative amounts 26%, by sohds volume, of zmc oxide (see Model Pamt A) 10%, by sohds volume, of cuprous oxide (see Model Pamt A) 4%, by sohds volume, of thixotropic bentomte (see Model Pamt A) and tested m the Pohshmg Rate Test herem Although the principle of usmg a polymeric flexibihzer was oπginaUy developed for fibre- contaimng pamts havmg a high content of rosm or rosm equιvalent(s), it has also been demonstrated (see Example 1) that the polymeric flexibdizer may be used alone, i e m pamts containmg no fibres, for counteractmg the mechanical deficiencies of pamts compnsmg a rosin- based bmder system Thus, it is beUeved that a number of polymeric flexibdizer can modify (improve) the mechanical properties of a rosm-based bmder system m a way that makes the polymeric flexibdizers useful m their own right Thus, it is envisaged that the principles, combmations, and ranges stated herem in connection with the combination of fibres and flexibdizers are equaUy apphcable m the cases where flexibdizers are used alone Referring to the above-mentioned hst of suitable polymeric flexibdizer components, it is envisaged polyacrylamides as weU as copolymers and terpolymers of (meth)acrylate, styrene, and acrylamide monomers, acrylamide resms, acryhc acrylamide resms, polystyrene, polyvmyl ethers, polyvmyl esters, polyamides, polyimmes, polyesters, polyoxyalkylenes, polyurethanes, and epoxy esters are especially relevant when used m high rosm-content antifouling pamt without fibres As the paints according to the present invention are anttfouling paints, it is often advantageous to incorporate at least one biologicaUy active agent in the paint in order to further enhance the antifouUng properties. In the present context the term "biologicaUy active agent" is intended to mean any chemical compound or mixture of chemical compounds which has the capabiUty of suppressing the settlement and/or growth of marine organisms, to any substrate containing the biologicaUy active agent. The suppression can be executed by any mechanism lethal to the organisms, by any mechanism resulting in deterrence and/or repeUence of the organisms with or without causing mortaUty or by any mechanism inhibiting the settlement of the organisms with or without causing mortahty. Examples of biologicaUy active agents are: organometals such as trialkyltin salts such as hydroxytriphenylstannane, dibutylbis(l- oxododecyloxy)-stannane, fluorotriphenylstannane, chlorotriphenylstannane, tributyl- fluorostannane, and tributyltin maleate; hexabutyldistannoxane; trialkyltin copolymers such as tributyltin resinate, tributyltin acrylate copolymer, and tributyltin methacrylate copolymer; metaUo-dithiocarbamates such as bis(dimethyldithiocarbamato)zinc, ethylene- bis(dithiocarbamato)zinc, ethylene-bis(dithiocarbamato)manganese, and complexes between these; bis(l-hydroxy-2(lH)-pyridinethionato-0,S)-(T-4) copper; copper acrylate; bis(l-hydroxy-2(lH)-pyridinethionato-0,S)-(T-4) zinc; phenyl(bispyridyl)-bismuth dichloride; tributyltinoxide; tributyltinfluoride; triphenyltinfluoride; metal biocides such as copper, copper metal aUoys such as copper-nickel aUoys; metal oxides such as cuprous oxide and cupric oxide (even though e.g. cuprous oxide and cupric oxide may have pigment characteristics, it is understood that in the present context such biologicaUy active agents are only considered as "biologicaUy active agents"); metal salts such as cuprous thiocyanate, barium metaborate, and copper sulphide; heterocychc nitrogen compounds such as 3a,4,7,7a-tetrahydro-2-((trichloromethyl)-thio)- lH-isoindole-l,3(2H)-dione, pyridine-triphenylborane, l-(2,4,6-trichlorophenyl)-lH-pyrrole- 2,5-dione, 2,3,5,6-tetrachloro-4-(methylsulphonyl)-pyridine, 2-methylthio-4-tert-butyl- amino-6-cyclopropylamine-s-triazin, and quinoline derivatives; heterocychc sulphur compounds such as 2-(4-thiazolyl)benzimidazole, 4,5-dιchloro-2-octyl- 3(2H)-isothiazolone, 4,5-dichloro-2-octyl-3(2H)-isothiazohne, l,2-benzisothiazohn-3-one, and 2-(thiocyanatomethylthio)-benzothiazole; urea derivatives such as N-(l,3-bιs(hydroxymethyl)-2,5-dιoxo-4-ιmιdazohdιnyl)-N,N'- bιs(hydroxymethyl)urea, and 3-(3,4-dιchlorophenyl)-l, l-dιmethyl urea, amides or mudes of carboxyhc acids, sulphomc acids and of sulphemc acids such as 1, 1- dιchloro-N-((dιmethylammo)sulphonyl)-l-fluoro-N-(4-methylphenyl)-methane- sulphenamide, 2,2-dιbromo-3-nιtrdo-propιonamιde, N-(dιchlorofluoromethylthιo)- phthahmide, N,N-dιmethyl-N'-phenyl-N'-(dιchlorofluoromethylthιo)-sulphamιde, and N- methylol formamide, salts or esters of carboxyhc acids such as 2-((3-ιodo-2-propynyl)oxy)-ethanol phenylcarbamate and N,N-dιdecyl-N-methyl-poly(oxyethyl)ammonιum propionate, ammes such as dehydroabiethylamines and cocodimethylamme, substituted methane such as dι(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)methane, 5,5'-dιchloro-2,2'- dihydroxydiphenylmethane, and methylene-bisthiocyanate, substituted benzene such as 2,4,5,6-tetrachloro-l,3-benzenedιcarbomtrde, 1,1-dιchloro-N- ((dιmethylammo)-sulphonyl)-l-fluoro-N-phenylmethanesulphenamιde, and 1- ((duodomethyl)sulphonyl)-4-methyl-benzene, tetraalkyl phosphonium halogenides such as tri-n-butyltetradecyl phosphonium chloride, guamdine derivatives such as n-dodecylguamdme hydrochloride, disulphides such as bιs-(dιmethylthιocarbamoyl)-dιsulphιde, tetramethylthiuram disulphide, and mixtures thereof In the antdouling pamt, the total amount of the biologicaUy active agent(s) may be in the range of 2-50%, such as 3-50%, by sohds volume of the pamt, preferably 5-50%, such as 5-40%, by sohds volume of the pamt Depending upon the type and specdic activity of the biologicaUy active agent, the total amount of the biologically active agent may, e.g., be 5-15% or 10-25% by sohds volume of the pamt A typical marme antifouling pamt according to the invention comprises a rosm-based bmder system, one or more polymeric flexibdizer component(s) optionaUy at least one biologicaUy active agent, and where applicable, fibres Furthermore, the antifouling paint may comprise one or more components selected among pigments, fdlers, dyes, additives, and solvents. It should be understood that any solvents are not included in the contents stated as "% by sohds volume". Instead, the content of solvent(s) is expressed as "sohds volume ratio" or SVR which indicates the volume of the dry matter in relation to the total volume of the paint including the solvent. Examples of pigments are grades of titanium dioxide, red iron oxide, zinc oxide, carbon black, graphite, yeUow iron oxide, red molybdate, yeUow molybdate, zinc sulphide, antimony oxide, sodium aluminium sulphosiUcates, quinacridones, phthalocyanine blue, phthalocyanine green, titaniumdioxide, black iron oxide, graphite, indanthrone blue, cobalt aluminium oxide, carbazole dioxazine, chromium oxide, isoindoUne orange, bis-acetoacet-o-toUdiole, benzimidazolon, qui- naphtalone yeUow, isoindoUne yeUow, tetrachloroisoindolinone, quinophthalone yeUow. Such materials are characterized in that they render the final paint coatmg non-transparent and non- translucent. The pigments may further be selected from pigment-like ingredients such as fdlers. Examples of fiUers are calcium carbonate, dolomite, talc, mica, barium sulphate, kaolin, sihca, perUte, magnesium oxide, calcite and quartz flour, etc. These materials are characterized in that they do not render the paint non-translucent and therefore do not contribute signdicantly to hide any material below the coating of the paint of the invention. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the paint has a total pigment content (pigment and pigment-Uke ingredients) in the range of 1-60%, preferably 1-50%, in particular 1- 25% such as 1-15%, of the sohds volume of the paint. Examples of dyes are l,4-bis(butylamino)anthraquinone and other anthraquinone derivatives; toluidine dyes etc. Examples of additives are: plasticizers such as chlormated paraffin; phthalates such as dibutyl phthalate, benzylbutyl phthalate, dioctyl phthalate, dnsononyl phthalate and diisodecyl phthalate; phosphate esters such as tricresyl phosphate, nonylphenol phosphate, octyloxipoly(ethyleneoxy)ethyl phosphate, tributoxyethyl phosphate, isooctylphosphate and 2-ethylhexyl diphenyl phosphate; sulphonamides such as N-ethyl-p-toluensulphonamide, alkyl-p-toluene sulphonamide; adipates such as bis(2-ethylhexyl)adipate), diisobutyl adipate and dioctyl- adipate; phosphoric acid triethyl ester; butyl stearate; sorbitan trioleate; and epoxidised soybean od; surfactants such as derivatives of propylene oxide or ethylene oxide such as alkylphenol- ethylene oxide condensates; ethoxylated monoethanolamides of unsaturated fatty acids such as ethoxylated monoethanolamides of hnoleic acid, sodium dodecyl sulphate, alkyl- phenol ethoxylates, and soya lecithin, wettmg agents and dispersants such as those described m M Ash and I Ash, "Handbook of Pamt and Coatmg Raw Materials, Vol 1", 1996, Gower Publ Ltd , Great Britam, pp 821-823 and 849-851, defoammg agents such as sdicone oils, catalysts such as polymerization catalysts and initiators e g azobisisobutyromtrde, ammonium persulphate, chlauryl peroxide, di-t-butyl peroxide cumene hydroperoxide, p- toluenesulphomc acid, dryers, e.g metal octoates and metal naphthenates, and activators, e g sahcyhc acid and benzyl alcohol, stabilizers such as stabdizers agamst light and heat, e g hindered amme light stabilizers (HALS), 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone, 2-(5-chloro-(2H)-benzotrιazol-2-yl)-4-methyl- 6-(tert-butyl)phenol, and 2,4-dιtert-butyl-6-(5-chlorobenzotnazol-2-yl)phenol, stabdizers agamst moisture such as molecular sieves or water scavengers, stabdizers agamst oxidation such as butylated hydroxyamsole, butylated hydroxytoluene, propylgallate, toco- pherols, 2,5-dι-tert-butyl-hydroquιnone, L-ascorbyl palmitate, carotenes, vitamm A, polymerization inhibitors, e g para-benzoqumone, hydroquinone and methyl- hydroquinone, inhibitors agamst corrosion such as aminocarboxylates calcium sdicophosphate, ammonium benzoate, banum/calcium/zmc/magnesium salts of alkylnaphthalene sulphonic acids, zmc phosphate, zmc metaborate, coalescing agents such as glycols, 2-butoxy ethanol, and 2 2 4-trιmethyl-l ,3-pentanedιoI monoisobutyrate, and thickeners and anti-setthng agents such as coUoidal sdica hydrated aluminium sdicate (bentomte), alummiumtristearate, alummiummonostearate πcmus oil, xanthan gum, sahcyhc acid, chrysotde, pyrogenic sdica, hydrogenated castor od, and organo-modified clays It is preferred that the paints accordmg to the present mvention comprises dyes and additives m a cumulative content of 0-15% by solids volume Examples of solvents in which the components of the antifouUng paint are dissolved, dispersed or emulsified are water (e.g. in the form of a dispersion or an emulsion); alcohols such as methanol, ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, butanol, isobutanol and benzyl alcohol; alcohol/water mixtures such as ethanol/water mixtures; ahphatic, cycloaUphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons such as white spirit, cyclohexane, toluene, xylene and naphtha solvent; ketones such as methyl ethyl ketone, acetone, methyl isobutyl ketone, methyl isoamyl ketone, diacetone alcohol and cyclo- hexanone; ether alcohols such as 2-butoxyethanol, propylene glycol monomethyl ether and butyl diglycol; esters such as methoxypropyl acetate, n-butyl acetate and 2-ethoxyethyl acetate; chlorinated hydrocarbons such as methylene chloride, tetrachloroethane and trichloroethylene; and mixtures thereof. A preferred embodiment of the marine antifouUng paint according to the invention is a paint, which comprises one or more pigment(s) and one or more solvent(s) as weU as any necessary or desirable dyes and additives. The antifouUng paint may be prepared by any suitable technique that is commonly used within the field of paint production. Thus, the various components may be mixed together using a high speed disperser, a baU mdl, a pearl mdl, a three-roU mdl etc. The antifouUng paints according to the invention, optionaUy containing fibres, may be filtrated using bag fdters, patron filters, wire gap filters, wedge wire fdters, metal edge filters, EGLM turnoclean fdters (ex Cuno), DELTA strain filters (ex Cuno), and Jenag Strainer fdters (ex Jenag), or by vibration fdtration. The antifouUng paint according to the invention may be appUed to the marine structure to be protected by means of any of the usual techniques used within the paint field such as by means of a brush, a roUer, a pad, by dipping, by spraying etc. The exact technique chosen depends upon the object to be protected and also upon the particular composition (such as its viscosity etc.) and upon the particular situation. Preferred apphcations techniques are spraying and by means of a brush or a roUer. Depending on the appbcation technique, it is desirable that the paint comprises solvent(s) so that the SVR is in the range of 30-70%. The anttfouling paint according to the invention may be appUed to the marine structure to be protected in one or several successive layers, typicaUy 1 to 5 layers, preferably 1 to 3 layers. The total dry film thickness (DFT) of the coating appUed per layer wdl typicaUy be 10 to 300 μm, preferably 20 to 250 μm, such as 40 to 200 μm. Thus, the thickness of the coating wdl typicaUy be 10 to 900 μm, preferably 20 to 750 μm, in particular 40 to 600 μm, such as 80 to 400μm. The marme structure to which the pamt according to the mvention may be appUed to may be any of a wide variety of solid objects that come mto contact with water, for example vessels (including but not limited to boats, yachts, motorboats, motor launches, ocean liners, tugboats, tankers, contamer ships and other cargo ships, submarmes (both nuclear and conventional), and naval vessels of aU types), pipes, shore and off-shore machmery, constructions and objects of aU types such as piers, pdings, bridge substructures, floatation devices, underwater od weU structures etc, nets and other manculture mstaUations, cooling plants, and buoys, and is especiaUy apphcable to the huUs of ships and boats and to pipes Prior to the appbcation of a pamt of the invention to a marme structure, the marme structure may first be coated with a primer-system which may comprise several layers and may be any of the conventional primer systems used m connection with appbcation of antifouUng pamts to marme structures Thus, the primer system may mclude a first layer of a tar or bitumen composition foUowed by a layer of an adhesion-promoting primer In a preferred embodiment, the primer-system is a composition havmg a pohshmg rate of less than 1 μm per 10,000 Nautical mdes, I e the primer is a non-self-pohshing coatmg As mentioned herein, the coatmg resultmg from the pamt according to the present mvention is preferably self-pohshing Thus, the antifouling pamt (actuaUy the coatmg) should have a pohshmg rate of at least 1 μm per 10,000 Nautical mdes (18,520 km) Preferably the pohshmg rate is m the range of 1-50 μm, m particular m the range of 1-30 μm per 10,000 Nautical mdes (18,520 km) It is furthermore preferred that the coatmg resultmg from the pamt according to the mvention shows exceUent mechanical properties when tested m various mechanical tests Thus, m a preferred embodiment, the pamt according to the mvention, when tested m the Steel Panel Elongation Test herem, is capable of bemg elongated 5 mm, preferably 6 mm, m particular 7 mm, such as 8 mm, without showing any tendency to neither micro crackmg nor macro crackmg A further preferred embodiment of the antdbuling paint accordmg to the mvention is a pamt, showmg no fadure when tested m the Mandrel Test herein using a mandrel havmg a diameter of at least 16 mm, preferably at least 12 mm, such as at least 10 mm, in particular at least 8 mm, such as at least 6 mm A stdl further preferred embodiment of the antdbuhng pamt according to the invention is a pamt, showmg no fadure when tested m the Direct Impact Test herein usmg the standard weight dropped from a height of at least 50 cm, preferably at least 60 cm, such as at least 70 cm or even at least 90 cm The optimal composition of the antdouhng pamts described herem wdl of course depend on the characteristics and properties of the individual components of the pamt Among these components, the polymeric flexibdizer seems to be one of the most important and crucial for obtammg the desired compromise between mechanical strength and antifouling properties Thus, especiaUy mterestmg embodiments of the present mvention are marme antifouUng pamts of the foUowing compositions (A) 1) rosm or rosm equivalents constitutmg 15-80% by soUds volume of the pamt, 2) further bmder components constitutmg 0-15% by sohds volume of the pamt, 3) fibres constitutmg 0 1- 30% by sohds volume of the pamt, 4) one or more non-crystalhne polymeric flexibihzer component(s) constitutmg 1-20% by soUds volume of the pamt, 5) one or more biologicaUy active agent(s) constitutmg 2-50% by sohds volume of the paint, 6) one or more pιgment(s) constitutmg 1-15% by sohds volume of the pamt, 7) dyes and additives constitutmg 0-15% by sohds volume of the pamt, and 8) optionaUy one or more solvents (B) 1) rosm or rosm equιvalent(s) constitutmg 25-60% by soUds volume of the pamt, 2) further bmder components constitutmg 0-15% by sohds volume of the pamt, 3) fibres constitutmg 2-10% by sohds volume of the pamt, 4) one or more non-crystalline polymeric flexibdizer component(s) constitutmg 1-20% by sohds volume of the pamt, at least one component bemg of the polyvmyl ether-type and havmg a glass transition temperature (Tg) m the range of -40 to -20°C, 5) one or more biologicaUy active agent(s) constitutmg 2-50% by sohds volume of the pamt composition, 6) one or more pιgment(s) constitutmg 1-15% of the sohds volume of the pamt composition, 7) dyes and additives constitutmg 0-15% by sohds volume of the pamt, and 8) optionaUy one or more solvents (C) 1) rosm or rosm equιvalent(s) constitutmg 25-60% by sohds volume of the paint, 2) further bmder components constitutmg 0-15% by sohds volume of the pamt, 3) fibres constitutmg 2-10% by sohds volume of the pamt, 4) one or more non-crystalline polymeric flexibdizer components) constitutmg 1-20% by soUds volume of the pamt, at least one component bemg of the polyacrylamide-type and havmg a glass transition temperature in the range of -30 to 25°C, 5) one or more biologicaUy active agent(s) constitutmg 2-50% by soUds volume of the pamt, 6) one or more pιgment(s) constitutmg 1-15% of the sohds volume of the pamt, 7) dyes and additives constitutmg 0-15% by sohds volume of the pamt, and 8) optionaUy one or more solvents (D) 1) rosm or rosm equivalents constitutmg 25-60% by soUds volume of the pamt, 2) further bmder components constitutmg 0-15% by sohds volume of the paint 3) fibres constituting 2-10% by sohds volume of the pamt, 4) one or more non-crystalhne polymeric flexibdizer component(s) constitutmg 1-20% by sohds volume of the paint, at least one component bemg of the polyacrylate-type and havmg a glass transition temperature (Tg) m the range of -30 to 0°C, 5) one or more biologicaUy active agent(s) constituting 2-50% by sohds volume of the pamt, 6) one or more pιgment(s) constitutmg 1-15% of the sohds volume of the pamt, 7) dyes and additives constitutmg 0-15% by sohds volume of the pamt, and 8) optionaUy one or more solvents These paints may comprise further components not exphcitly mentioned if considered necessary or desirable TEST METHODS Test panels are/were degreased with methyl isobutyl ketone prior to appbcation of primer/pamt Laboratory Crackmg Test The test pamt is applied onto a steel panel (10 x 15 cm 2 ) by means of a hand apphcator (doctor blade type) m a dry film thickness (DFT) of approximately 200 +/- 30 μm The panel is dried for two days m the oven at 60°C The anti-crackmg performance is evaluated on a scale from 0 to 10 0 10-100% of the area of the steel panel shows macro crackmg 1 Macro crackmg is observed on an area-percentage lower than 10, and/or micro crackmg is observed on 50-100% of the area of the panel 2 Micro crackmg is observed on less than 50% of the area of the panel 3-4 Neither macro nor micro crackmg is observed, but the pamt film is very brittle when cut with a sharp knrfe 5-6 No crackmg is observed The dry pamt film shows some cohesive properties when cut with a sharp knife 7-8 No crackmg is observed The dry paint film shows acceptable cohesive properties when cut with a sharp knife The cutting of the sample of the film of 1 x 1 cm 2 can be performed without crackmg or breakmg of the sample 9-10 No crackmg is observed The dry pamt film shows good cohesive properties when cut with a sharp kndV A free-cut film of 1 x 1 cm 2 shows some flexibdity and toughness Macro crackmg corresponds to cracking mesh size type medium and large described in TNO circular 92 Micro cracking corresponds to cracking mesh size type smaU and micro described in TNO circular 92. Steel Panel Elongation Test A cold roUed steel panel (15 x 3 x 0.1 cm 3 ) is coated with 125 μm (DFT) of a commercial coal tar epoxy primer (Hempadur Tar Epoxy 15130 ex Hempel's Marine Paints A/S) apphed by air spraying. After 12-36 hours drying in the laboratory at room temperature a second coat is apphed in 80 μm DFT of a commercial vinyl primer (Hempanyl Tar 16280 ex Hempel's Marine Paints A/S) appUed by air spraying. After minimum 24 hours drying in the laboratory at room temperature the test paint is appUed by air spraying in two coats in a DFT of approximately 100 μm per coat (total model paint DFT: 200 μm). Recoating interval between two coats of the test paint: 24 hours. The panel is dried for 4 days in the oven at 60°C. The test panel is tested at 20-23°C in an Instron equipment (Instron 4507), by tripUcate, in the foUowing way. The steel panel is clamped in sample holders. One sample holder has a fixed position and the other is moved away at a constant speed of 5 mm per min. The fuU paint system and the steel panel are elongated untd the paint film breaks (cracks), and the elongation is measured. The higher elongation, the better mechanical properties. Pohshing Rate Test An acryhc test panel (13.5 x 7 cm 2 ) with a curvature corresponding to that of a cylindrical drum with a diameter of 1 m is first coated with 80 μm (DFT) of a commercial vinyl primer (Hempanyl Tar 16280 ex Hempel's Marine Paints A/S) apphed by air spraying. After minimum 24 hours drying in the laboratory at room temperature the test paint is apphed by air spraying in two coats in a DFT of approximately 100 μm per coat (total test paint DFT: 200 μm). Recoating interval between two coats of test paint: 24 hours. After at least 48 hours drying from the last test paint coat, bands of 1 cm width of a commercial, non-erodible vinyl anttfouhng coating (Classic 76550 ex Hempel's Marine Paints A/S) are appUed along each longitudinal edge by dippmg. As a result of this, the central part with a width of 5 cm remained uncovered by the non-erodible coating. The panel is dried for at least 1 week in the laboratory at room temperature before testing. The test panel is fixed onto the convex surface of a cylindrical drum of 1 m in diameter and is rotated in sea water with a sahnity in the range of 37-38 parts per thousand at an average temperature of 26°C at a test site in the harbour of ViUanova y La Geltrύ in Northeastern Spain which is situated at longitude 41.2°N (see also Morale, E. & Arias, E., Rev. Iber. Corros. y Prot. , vol XIX(2), 1988, pp 91-96) The rotor is rotated at a peripheral speed of 15 knots for a relative distance of 33,100 Nautical mdes Every 3-5 weeks, pamt chips (1 0 x 0 5 cm 2 ) are coUected from the test panel m such a way that their surface comprised both a part coated with the experimental coatmg only as weU as a part coated with both experimental coatmg and the non-erodible coatmg The chips are embedded m paraffin wax and cut with a microtome Cross sections of the experimental coatmg are exammed under a microscope Compared to the part coated with the non-erodible coatmg, the experimental coatmg shows a decrease of DFT of the outer layer correspondmg to the pohshmg rate The pohshmg rate (pohshmg per 10,000 Nautical mdes (18,520 km)) is calculated Pohshmg rate tests are generaUy described by Furtado, S E J and Fletcher, R L , "Test Procedures For Marme Antdbuhng Pamts Preservatives m The Food Pharmaceutical and Environmental Industries", pp 145-163 (1987) and Van Londen, AM "Evaluation of Testmg Methods for AntifouUng Paints", Journal of Pamt Technology, 42, pp 511-515 (1970) Mechanical properties test - Mandrel Test A steel panel (15 x 10 x 0 5 cm 3 ) is coated with 10 μm (DFT) of a commercial polyvmyl butyral wash primer (Hempadur 15200, from Hempel's Marme Pamts A/S) apphed by air spraymg After drying for 12-36 hours m the laboratory at room temperature the experimental model pamt is apphed by an- spraymg m one coat m a DFT of approximately 100 μm The panel is dried for 1 day m the laboratory at room temperature plus one day m the oven at 60°C before testmg The test panel is tested usmg a cyhndrical mandrel accordmg to ASTM Designation D522 usmg cylindrical mandrels The steel panel is bend using mandrels of different diameters and inspected for crackmg By graduaUy decreasmg the mandrel diameter, the pomt of which fadure occurs is determmed The smaUer diameter, the better mechanical properties Mandrels of the foUowmg diameters are used (32, 25, 20, 19, 16, 13, 12, 10, 8, 6, 5, 4, and 3 mm) Mechanical properties test, - Direct Impact Test A steel panel (15 x 10 x 0 8 cm 3 ) is coated with 10 μm (DFT) of a commercial polyvinyl butyral wash primer (Hempadur 15200, from Hempel's Marme Pamts A/S) apphed by air spraymg After drying for 12-36 hours m the laboratory at room temperature the experimental model pamt is apphed by air spraymg in one coat m a DFT of approximately 100 μm The panel is dried for 1 day in the laboratory at room temperature plus one day in the oven at 60°C before testmg The test panel is tested for direct impact strength according to ASTM Designation D 2794. The standard weight (100 g; indentor diameter 20 mm) is dropped from a height so as to strike an indentor that deforms the coating and the substrate. By graduaUy increasing the height from which the weight is dropped, the point of which fadure occurs is determined. The higher distance the better mechanical properties. The initial height is 10 cm. The height is increased 10 cm each time untd a visual fadure is observed. Determmation of weight average molecular weight (Mw) for various polymers The Mw is determined by using an experimental set-up comprising a 600E pump from Waters, U.S.A., Shodex KF 803 and KF 804 columns from Shoko Co., Ltd., Japan, a 700 SateUite WISP auto-sampler, a 410 Ddϊerential refractometer detector, and Mdlenium Ver. 2.10 HPLC and GPC software aU from Waters, U.S.A.. The mobde phase of the system is tetrahydrofuran at a flow rate of 1 ml/min. The column temperature is 40°C and the detector temperature is 35°C. The sample is typicaUy 1 %(w/w) of the polymer dissolved in tetrahydrofuran. (Higher sample concentrations may be used in the case of very low detector signals.) 15-100 μL of sample is used. Internal standard are: Narrow polystyrene standards of molecular weight 1,200,000, 128,000, 39,000, 5,700, 950, 280 (Polymer Laboratories, Ltd., U.K.), and toluene (Mw 92). Determination of glass transition temperature (Tg) T g is determined by using a Perkin Elmer DSC-7 apparatus at a heating rate of 10°C/min. Table 1 gives an overview of the different polymeric flexibilizer components tested in Example 1. TABLE 1 The sample numbers correspond to the foUowing commercial products The mvention is lUustrated by the foUowmg Examples EXAMPLE 1 Rosm is a very brittle material Pamts formulated with rosm as the mam or sole bmder component show a very pronounced tendency to crack A number of polymeric flexibdizer components were tested m the Laboratory Cracking Test for their effect on preventmg cracking and improving fdm mtegπty m a rosin based model pamt without fibres Model pamts A with the followmg compositions were prepared 60 parts by volume of zmc resmate (Terpenato 620 NN50 ex Resisa, Spam) 10 parts by volume of cuprous oxide with an average particle size of 2-4 μm (Nordox cuprous oxid pamt grade, red, micromiUed ex NORDOX Industrier A/S, Norway) 26 parts by volume of zmc oxide with an average particle size of approximately 0 2 μm (Zmc oxide superior red seal SR3S ex Fabπca Espanola de Blanco de Zmc, S A , Spam) 4 parts by volume of thixotropic bentonite (Bentone 38 ex NL Chemicals) optionaUy 16 parts by volume of a polymeric flexibdizer (component) (see Table 1) 20-30% by weight of total wet pamt of xylene GeneraUy, the model pamts were prepared as foUows 200 ml of the thoroughly mixed coatmg composition was introduced into a tight metallic contamer of 0 5 L capacity together with 100 mL (bulk volume) of glass beads with a diameter of 2-3 mm The contamer was then shaken for 45 mm on a mechanical shaker The coatmg composition was separated from the glass beads by filtration The commercial grades of zmc resmate, cuprous oxide, zmc oxide, and bentonite was also used m the foUowmg examples The product names used m the foUowing examples correspond to the flexibdizer components, polymeric bmder components, and fibres hsted above, cf the hst of fibres and Table 1 In each test series a reference pamt, without any content of polymeric flexibdizer components, was mcluded In Table 2 the results of the tests are shown TABLE 2 Alternatively, 4 parts by volume of fibres were incorporated in Model Paint A (in the absence of a polymeric flexibdizer) in order to determine the performance of the fibres alone. Fibres having resulting in a rating of at least 1 are considered especiaUy suitable for incorporation in combination with flexibdizers. The Model Paint A was prepared as described above. The results from tests are given in Table 3 where the Fibre Sample Nos. correspond to the hst of commerciaUy avadable fibres given in the description. EXAMPLE 2 Various Model paints B were tested in order to demonstrate the advantageous effect of the polymeric flexibilizer component(s), the fibres, as weU as the combined effect of the polymeric flexibilizer componen s) and the fibres (see Table 4). The Model paints B1-B10 were prepared as described for the Model paints A. TABLE 4 Xylene was used as a solvent so that the sohds volume ratio was 50% in each of the paints Bl- B10. AU proportions expressed in % by sohds volume. Lanco MIKAL 00180 ex G.M. Langer, Germany, used in this and other examples is an inert fdler component. The increased mechanical strength of the model paints B2-B7 over the reference compositions Bl and B8-B10 was iUustrated in the Steel Panel Elongation Test, the Direct Impact Test, the Mandrel Test, and the Laboratory Cracking Test as outlined in Table 5. TABLE 5 EXAMPLE 3 The advantageous effect of the combination of the polymeric flexibdizer component(s) and fibres is further iUustrated with the Model paints C1-C12 and D1-D4 (see Tables 6 and 7 and Table 8 for test results). The Model paints C2-C7 and D2 are compositions according to the invention and the Model paints Cl, C8-C12, Dl, and D3-D4 are reference paints. Model paints C1-C12 and D l- D4 were prepared as described for Model paint A. TABLE 6 CO Xylene was used as a solvent so that the sohds volume ratio was 45% in each of the paints C1-C12. AU proportions expressed in % by soUds volume. Kemira RD 2 ex Kemira, Finland, and NUSA 57 ex Nusa, Spain used in this and other examples are titanium dioxide and an additive. TABLE 7 Xylene was used as solvent so that the soUds volume ratio was 45% in each of the paints D1-D4. AU proportions expressed in % by soUds volume. TABLE 8

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A marine antifouUng paint comprising: 1) rosin or rosin equivalents); 2) fibres; and 3) one or more polymeric flexibdizer component(s). 2. A marine antifouUng paint comprising a binder system which comprises at least 30% by sohds volume of rosin or rosin equivalent(s), the binder system being present in the paint in such an amount and having such a composition that the paint when tested in (a) the Laboratory Cracking Test herein results in a ranking of below 5, or (b) the Steel Panel Elongation Test herein show micro or macro cracking when elongated 4 mm in the absence of any principle counteracting the mechanical deficiency, the paint further comprises (a) one or more kind of fibres, which, when incorporated in Model Paint A (as described in Example 1 (in the absence of a polymeric flexibdizer)) in an amount of 4 parts by volume and tested in the Laboratory Cracking Test herein, result in a cracking rankmg of the Model Paint A of at least 1; and (b) one or more polymeric flexibdizer components, which, when mcorporated in Model Paint A (as described in Example 1 and tested in the Laboratory Crackmg Test herein), result in a cracking ranking of the Model Paint A of at least 3. 3. A marine antifouling paint according to any of the claims 1-2, the paint further comprising at least one biologicaUy active agent. 4. A marine antifouling paint according to any of the claims 1-3, where the paint is a seU- poUshing antifouling paint. 5. A marine antifouling paint according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the amount of rosin or rosin equivalent(s) is at least 30%, such as at least 50%, by sohds volume of the binder system. 6. A marine antifouUng paint according to any of the preceding claims, wherem the content of rosin or rosin equivalent^) is in the range of 15-80% by sohd volume of the paint. 7. A marine antifouUng paint according to any of the preceding claims, which comprises further binder component(s) in an amount of 0-15% by sohds volume of the paint. 8 A marme antifouling pamt according to any of the precedmg claims, wherem the rosm or rosm comprιse(s) less than 30% of abietic acid-type compounds havmg two conjugated double bonds 9 A marme antifouling pamt according to any of the precedmg claims, wherein the degree of unsaturation in the rosm or rosm equιvalent(s), as determmed by the NMR method described herem, is less than 3% 10 A marme antifouling pamt according to any of the precedmg claims, wherem at least a part of the rosm is m the form of metal resmate 11 A marme antifouling pamt according to claim 10, wherem the metal resmate is selected from zmc resmate, copper resmate, and calcium resmate 12 A marme antifouling pamt according to any of the precedmg claims, wherem at least a part of the rosm is m the form of ammonium resinate 13 A marme antifouling pamt according to any of the preceding claims wherem each of the polymeric flexibihzer component(s) has a glass transition temperature (T g ) m the range of -45°C to 25°C 14 A marme antifouUng pamt according to any of the precedmg claims, wherem each of the polymeric flexιbdιzer(s) is selected from poly(meth)acrylates, polyacrylamides as weU as copolymers and terpolymers hereof, acrylamide resms, acryhc acrylamide resins, polyvinyl ethers, polyvmyl esters, polyesters, polyoxy-Ci 6-alkylenes, polyurethanes, and epoxy esters 15 A marme antdbulmg pamt accordmg to any of the precedmg claims, wherem the polymeric flexιbdιzer(s) constιtute(s) 1-20% by sohds volume of the pamt 16 A marme antifouling pamt according to any of the preceding claims, wherem the combmation of the bmder system (constituted by rosm and rosm equιvalent(s) and optionaUy further bmder components) and the polymeric flexιbdιzer(s) has a pohshmg rate of at least 1 μm per 10,000 Nautical mdes, when mcorporated m a model pamt 60%, by sohds volume, of a mixture of the bmder system and the polymeric flexibihzer in the relevant relative amounts 26%, by sohds volume, of zinc oxide 10%, by sohds volume, of cuprous oxide 4%, by solids volume, of thixotropic bentonite and tested in the Pohshmg Rate Test herem 17 A marme antifouling pamt accordmg to any of the precedmg claims, wherem the fibres are natural or synthetic morganic fibres, natural or synthetic organic fibres, or mixtures thereof 18 A marme antifouUng pamt accordmg to claim 17, wherem the fibres are morganic fibres, preferably mmeral fibres 19 A marine antifouUng pamt according to any of the precedmg claims, wherem the fibres have a ratio between the average length and the average thickness of at least 5 20 A marme antifouling pamt according to any of the preceding claims, wherem the concentration of the fibres is in the range of 0 5-10% by solids volume of the pamt 21 A marine antifouling pamt according to any of the precedmg claims, which additionaUy comprises one or more pιgment(s), one or more dye(s) and addιtιve(s), and one or more solvent(s) 22 A marme antifouling pamt comprising 1) rosm or rosm equivalents constitutmg 15-80% by solids volume of the pamt, 2) further bmder components constitutmg 0-15% by sohds volume of the pamt, 3) fibres constitutmg 0 1-30% by sohds volume of the pamt, 4) one or more non-crystaUme polymeric flexibihzer component(s) constitutmg 1-20% by sohds volume of the pamt, 5) one or more biologicaUy active agent(s) constitutmg 2-50% by sohds volume of the pamt, 6) one or more pιgment(s) constitutmg 1-15% by sohds volume of the pamt, 7) dyes and additives constitutmg 0-15% by sohds volume of the pamt, and 8) optionaUy one or more solvents 23 A marme antdouhng pamt comprising 1) rosm or rosm equιvalent(s) constituting 25-60% by sohds volume of the paint, 2) further bmder components constitutmg 0-15% by sohds volume of the pamt, 3) fibres constitutmg 2-10% by sohds volume of the pamt, 4) one or more non -crystalline polymeric flexibdizer component(s) constituting 1-20% by sohds volume of the pamt, at least one component bemg of the polyvmyl ether-type and havmg a glass transition temperature (Tg) m the range of -40 to -20°C, 5) one or more biologicaUy active agent(s) constitutmg 2-50% by sohds volume of the pamt composition, 6) one or more pιgment(s) constitutmg 1-15% of the sohds volume of the paint composition, 7) dyes and additives constitutmg 0-15% by sohds volume of the pamt, and 8) optionaUy one or more solvents 24 A marine antifouling paint comprising 1) rosm or rosm equιvalent(s) constitutmg 25-60% by sohds volume of the pamt, 2) further bmder components constitutmg 0-15% by sohds volume of the pamt, 3) fibres constitutmg 2-10% by sohds volume of the pamt, 4) one or more non-crystalline polymeric flexibdizer component(s) constitutmg 1-20% by soUds volume of the pamt, at least one component bemg of the polyacrylamide -type and havmg a glass transition temperature m the range of -30 to 25°C, 5) one or more biologicaUy active agent(s) constitutmg 2-50% by sohds volume of the pamt, 6) one or more pιgment(s) constitutmg 1-15% of the sohds volume of the pamt, 7) dyes and additives constitutmg 0-15% by sohds volume of the pamt, and 8) optionaUy one or more solvents 25. A marine antifouUng paint comprising: 1) rosin or rosin equivalents constituting 25-60% by soUds volume of the paint; 2) further binder components constituting 0-15% by sohds volume of the paint; 3) fibres constituting 2-10% by soUds volume of the paint; 4) one or more non-crystalline polymeric flexibdizer component(s) constituting 1-20% by sohds volume of the paint, at least one component being of the polyacrylate-type and having a glass transition temperature (Tg) in the range of -30 to 0°C; 5) one or more biologicaUy active agent(s) constituting 2-50% by soUds volume of the paint; 6) one or more pigment(s) constituting 1-15% of the sohds volume of the paint; 7) dyes and additives constituting 0-15% by sohds volume of the paint; and 8) optionaUy one or more solvents. 26. A marine antifouling paint comprising rosin or rosin equivalents) and one or more polymeric flexibdizer components). 27. A marine antifouling paint according to claim 26 further being defined with respect to the characteristics defined in any of the claims 3-16 and 21.

Inventors: CODOLAR SANTIAGO ARIAS, ELBRO HELLE SIMON, CODOLAR, SANTIAGO ARIAS, ELBRO, HELLE, SIMON
Applicants: CODOLAR SANTIAGO ARIAS, ELBRO HELLE SIMON, HEMPELS SKIBSFARVE FAB J C, CODOLAR, SANTIAGO ARIAS, ELBRO, HELLE, SIMON, J.C. HEMPEL'S SKIBSFARVE-FABRIK A/S
Application year: 1997
Main classification: C09D5
IPC codes: C09D5, C09D193