Northern Light Composites – based in Monfalcone, Italy – have recently introduced a sustainable and recyclable dinghy for sailing schools and young sailors. NL Composites and their Ecoprimus received an honourable mention as part of the Design Innovation Award during the Genoa Boat Show.
The Ecoprimus dinghy is made from flax fibre composites and recycled PET core materials. Arkema’s novel Elium resin allows the boat to be easily recyclable at the end of its lifetime. The thermoplastic resin can be separated from the fibres and completely recycled to create new resin. The flax fibres are locally grown in Europe and allow to significantly reduce the carbon footprint of the boat when compared to conventional glass or carbon fibres.
The marine start-up from Italy is looking to change the yacht economy. One of the biggest issues of the nautical sector consists of boats that have reached the end of their life on water. Boat hulls made from glass and carbon fibre composites typically end up being abandoned on construction sites, ship graveyards or in the countryside. Northern Light Composites is looking to introduce a new circular economy to the yacht sector.
The use of 100% flax fibres, recycled core materials and a completely recyclable resin system result in a new and sustainable way to build sailing boats.
-
-
24 November 2020
