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UK-based Kittiwake Developments Ltd. has anounced that it has acquired BP Marine's majority stake in Krystallon Ltd.

BP and Kittiwake set up Krystallon as a joint venture company in 2006 to develop innovative sea water scrubbing technology in order to reduce the environmental impact of ships emissions to air by removing sulphur and particulates.

The company has worked with customers in the marine industry in order to test the technology, which in turn has lead to the Krystallon raising its industry profile and achieving environmental awards. In 2007, the company received the Seatrade 'Protection of the Marine and Atmospheric Environment' Award and was the winner of the Seatrade Insider 'Environmental Initiative' award in the same year.

In a company statement, Kittiwake said "The next step for Krystallon is to build a robust, scalable fabrication and installation capability to manufacture and install sea water scrubbers to both new and existing ships to meet growing customer demand.

"Given BP's clear direction to focus on its core business of refining, trading, and selling fuels, it is appropriate that Kittiwake should now lead the next phase of Krystallon's evolution."

Commenting on the acquisition, Chris Leigh-Jones, Managing Director of Krystallon, said: “We are at the next phase of Krystallon’s development, which will see the company create a platform from which to market and distribute scrubber technology on a global basis.

"This agreement signals the start of that phase and will see us working with partners that have core skills in marine installation and fabrication.

"On behalf of Krystallon, I would like to thank BP Marine Fuels for their role in our development over the past three years, their knowledge and environmental credentials have been vital in securing the progress we have achieved to date.”

Rita Griffin, CEO of BP Marine Fuels, said: “BP Marine Fuels has provided financial and intellectual support to the development of Krystallon and seawater scrubbing technology over the past three years; helping develop this technology to becoming a viable option for ship-owners as they face new emissions reductions targets. BP Marine is proud to have contributed to the development of Krystallon, and we wish the company well for the future.”