Ashland says that Envirez resin is the first resin that uses a substantial amount of soybean oil and corn derived ethanol in its formulation.
“Ashland’s bio-based resin delivers the performance characteristics we want for our boats and it reduces our reliance on petroleum-based counterparts,” says Brock Elliott, general manager, Campion Marine, a manufacturer of luxury sport boats and cruisers. “We are putting Envirez resin in all our boats. It is the right next step, and it is right for our world. Envirez resin’s performance delivers higher ratings for strength and elongation. Our vision is to build the best from the best and that makes Envirez resin a natural choice.”
Ashland selected Campion Marine to test Envirez resin in 2008. Data from those tests support Envirez resin’s use in high performance and recreational watercraft. According to Ashland, the move to Envirez resin by Campion will stop more than 100 000 lbs of carbon dioxide (CO2) from entering the atmosphere.
Campion Marine, based in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada, manufactures over 37 models and 48 variations of boat ranging from 16 to 30 ft in length and markets its products in more than 30 countries.
USA-based Ashland Performance Materials, a business unit of Ashland Inc (NYSE: ASH), produces unsaturated polyester and vinyl ester resins, and gel-coats.