At METSTRADE 2024, the world’s largest B2B exhibition for the leisure marine industry, JEC will organise with its partners two round tables about innovation and sustainability in composites in the marine industry.
METSTRADE’s partnership with JEC highlights the strategic importance of composite technologies in this sector. Over 80 years ago, the leisure marine market was one of the earliest adopters of fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites, which are now the material of choice for durable, lightweight hulls and decks, as well as key equipment such as masts, sails, rigging, foils, rudders and propellers. The corrosion resistance of composites makes them the perfect choice for walkways, pontoons and onshore equipment at marinas. Innovation continues to extend the reach of composites and apply them more intelligently and more sustainably.
Composites innovation in marine industries
JEC President, Eric Pierrejean, will host on November 19th a forum on composites innovation in the marine industry to share some exciting updates.
During this panel Curveworks and Structteam will showcase and highlight the benefits of new adaptative molding and structural design technologies to design and manufacture hulls. On the rigging and sails side, we will highlight composites rigging and load sensing technologies developed by Future Fibers and Synapse, already adopted by superyachts as well as America’s Cup teams, but also from the same group of companies, present the commitment of North Sails to offer upcycling and sustainable end-of life solutions.
Successes in sustainability
European Boating Industry (EBI) and the European Composites Industry Association (EuCIA) are hosting on November 21st a session dedicated to sustainable composites in the marine industry, moderated by Alexandre Guillet, Content Director at JEC. Historically, composite parts have already contributed to making many end market sectors more sustainable through the inherent properties of composite materials. Sustainability goals become more and more central to the basic business strategies of many industrial companies: join this conference to learn how composites can answer your challenges! The panel will review the keys challenges and barriers to achieve true circularity and focus on two options to recycle composites at the end of life: Cement co-processing and thermolysis.
Going beyond materials sustainability, METSTRADE will present the increasing uptake of novel propulsion systems with a dedicated Next Generation Propulsion Zone which will highlight the latest advancements in electric propulsion, hybrid technology, hydrogen, alternative fuels, and battery systems. Several companies are now providing electric outboards and battery solutions for boats and a presentation on next generation propulsion will be given by electric propulsion pioneer, Christoph Ballin of Tyde and Torqeedo.
Supplying marine composite materials
The Construction Material Pavilion (CMP) will showcase many of the familiar names supplying composite fabrics and prepregs, such as Gurit, SAERTEX, Chomarat and Angeloni along with core material suppliers including 3A Composites and DIAB. The latest advanced resin systems will be unveiled by Wessex Resins, Sicomin, Resoltech and ELANTAS Europe, including bio-based epoxies, which are gaining increasing uptake in marine applications. Aegir Cork Group and NAVICORK will demonstrate the natural texture and grip of cork decking materials which offer excellent anti-slip properties, as well as inherent strength, acoustic and thermal insulation properties.
The Marina & Yard Pavilion will see more composite applications such as Dura Composites’ advanced GRP solutions, particularly their anti-slip gratings for walkway and pontoon flooring, tested to withstand even the wettest, oiliest and iciest conditions.
Hydrofoils and hydrogen
Of particular interest to composite manufacturers is the emphasis on foiling, which introduces cutting-edge racing technology to various classes of vessel. This will be showcased in the Foiling Technology Pavilion, providing an opportunity to view the latest developments and applications.
A dedicated session on cutting-edge foiling technologies will highlight innovations in this area driving performance in high-stakes competitions like the America’s Cup. This will address new materials and design methodologies including recent hydrofoil design breakthroughs, performance optimisation techniques, and case studies from America’s Cup, where foiling is applied not only to the race boats, but also support vessels.
It is now mandated for all America’s Cup teams to build and operate two hydrogen powered foiling chase boats. An example is the Bluegame BGH-HSV (Hydrogen Support Vessel) delivered to New York Yacht Club (NYYC) American Magicin August. The 10.8m long 4.2m beam carbon composite foiling cat is powered by two 80kW hydrogen fuel cells in combination with three 63kWh batteries.
