ELG Carbon Fibre and British sailing team INEOS Team UK have joined forces to provide sustainable materials and practices for the AC75 boat, which will compete in the America’s Cup 2021.
ELG has been a technical supplier to INEOS Team UK since the campaign began in 2018 and has processed 1000 kg of carbon manufacturing waste and end-of-use parts for the British challengers. The recovered fibers are then converted into milled and chopped products to make thermoset and thermoplastic compounds and non-woven mats, which, in turn are used to make composite structures during the production of the boat that will compete in Auckland in 2021.
ELG says that its recycled non-woven materials have been used in the production of two cradles to support the AC75 during transit as well as the hull and deck molds.
‘The reuse of carbon fiber products is a real game changer,’ said Alan Boot, naval architect for INEOS Team UK. ‘We are diverting waste away from landfill and closing the loop in our production methods wherever possible. […] This is a really exciting time in terms of boat production and will hopefully lead the way for other manufacturers to follow suit.’
The AC75 Boat 1 will be launched this summer.
This story uses material from ELG Carbon Fibre, with editorial changes made by Materials Today. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent those of Elsevier.
