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At a time when the yachting industry is seeking to reduce its environmental impact, in a very unfavorable commercial context, Beneteau is continuing its transition to a circular production model.
A technical alliance for a closed industrial loop
In association with Arkema, Veolia, Composite Recycling, Owens Corning and Chomarat, Beneteau has co-developed a complete recycling chain for composite materials. The challenge is to structure a chain that integrates collection, processing and reintegration of materials into the construction of new boats.
The stages are as follows:
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Designed with recyclable Elium® resin (Arkema),
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Collection of production offcuts (Veolia),
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Recycling via thermolysis to separate fibers and resins (Composite Recycling),
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Processing of recycled materials (Arkema, Owens Corning, Chomarat),
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Reused in the manufacture of new hulls (Beneteau).
Since 2022, more than forty units incorporating these materials have been produced.
A tangible reduction in emissions
Thanks to this approach, Groupe Beneteau is announcing a 70% reduction in CO? emissions compared with the conventional use of polyester resin. The technical robustness of this model has been validated on production units, demonstrating the industrial viability of the solution.
This process is not limited to the marine sector: the methods used are also of interest to the automotive, wind energy and aeronautics industries.
Collective and symbolic recognition
The trophy, awarded by a jury including representatives from the Club de Paris des Directeurs de l'Innovation, Université Panthéon-Sorbonne and the Institut Européen des Stratégies Créatives, recognizes the ability to co-innovate around a high-impact project.
Erwan Faoucher, Groupe Beneteau's Director of Innovation, emphasizes: "1708"2708"1709"
Towards an upgrade on land?
The group hopes to go even further by developing processes that will enable materials to be recycled on land, and not just at sea. This would imply an increase in industrial capacity and new outlets for recycled materials.
The project led by Beneteau and its partners lays the foundations for a more virtuous marine industry. The challenge now is to extend this approach to the scale of worldwide production, and to anticipate the needs associated with the end-of-life of today's boats. In a context of industrial transformation, this model could become the norm in the years to come.
