Across every department at Nippon Paint Marine, our talented employees work to support the development of advanced coating solutions that address the challenges of today’s maritime industry. It is the expertise and ingenuity of these people that are the driving forces behind our success.
For his demonstration of expertise and ingenuity, we are highlighting Genki Ouchi, a dedicated member of our Research and Development team. Since joining Nippon Paint Marine in 2021, Genki has made significant contributions to antifouling (AF) paint development, including his work on FASTAR, which won the prestigious Environmental Technology Award from the Japan Chemical Industry Association (JCIA), in 2024. Here, Genki shares insights into his journey, his approach to innovation, and the rewarding experiences he’s had during his time at Nippon Paint Marine.
Genki Ouchi, R&D Development Group
Since joining Nippon Paint Marine in 2021, I have had the privilege of focusing primarily on the research and development of antifouling (AF) paints, developing products that contain copper oxide for both domestic and international vessels. More recently, I have been deeply involved in the development of FASTAR, which became the first marine coating to be awarded the Environmental Technology Award by the Japan Chemical Industry Association (JCIA), in May 2024.
My path to Nippon Paint Marine was guided by a fascination with colour and its applications. During my job search, I was drawn to paint and pigment companies. Nippon Paint Group stood out for its welcoming culture and innovative approach. After securing an internship I was able to experience this firsthand, and the encouragement of a senior mentor reinforced my decision to join the company full time.
Achieving success in my role requires a balance of honouring the wealth of knowledge and expertise that Nippon Paint Marine has built its reputation on and adding to this my own experience in chemistry and my forward-thinking ideas. Past experiences form a vital foundation, but the dynamic nature of our industry demands continuous learning and adaptation. Regulations change, environmental conditions evolve, and our customers’ needs shift, each requiring thoughtful responses to ensure we stay ahead.
Among the many projects I’ve worked on, one stands out as being both challenging and rewarding, that is working to develop a cost-effective antifouling paint. Unlike high-end products, which often allow for experimentation with advanced raw materials, this project required me to work within strict constraints, using a limited range of economical ingredients. It was a fascinating process, requiring me to uncover the essential principles of formulation, which allowed me to understand exactly what to add, and in what ratios, to achieve optimal performance. This deeper exploration of the fundamentals reminded me of how much precision and ingenuity is required in our field, especially when balancing the need to manage costs whilst maintaining optimal performance.
In fact, staying attuned to industry developments is crucial in my role, particularly when it comes to environmental regulations. Antifouling paints come into direct contact with seawater, so their potential impact on ecosystems is a constant consideration. Over time, we’ve had to innovate in response to restrictions on certain raw materials, searching for viable alternatives while maintaining product performance. Anticipating future regulations adds another layer of complexity, requiring us to think ahead and ensure our solutions remain both effective and compliant.
At the heart of Nippon Paint Marine lies a commitment to our customers. While achieving superior antifouling performance is my primary goal, I am always mindful to address customers’ many priorities, including ease of application, reliability during storage, and peace of mind in their overall performance. Collaboration with on-site teams plays a vital role in achieving this. By shadowing on-site inspections and gathering real-world feedback, I have gained invaluable insights that allow the R&D team to refine our products, ensuring they meet the highest standards of quality and usability.
Looking across my time at Nippon Paint Marine, one of the most valuable aspects of working here is the opportunity to be involved in nearly every stage of the development process, from resin synthesis to application. By collaborating with colleagues across each stage, I can gather essential feedback on product requirements and areas for improvement, making my experience here enriching.
