The aim is to jointly tackle the key challenges around circularity of composites used in the recreational boating industry and promote sustainable recycling solutions to the supply chain for end-of-life boats. Composites are the main material for manufacturing of recreational boats.
Following a common understanding of the importance of the circular economy and aiming to find solutions for end-of-life composites, European Boating Industry (EBI) and European Composites Industry Association (EuCIA) agreed a formal partnership. The aim will be to find common approaches to the key issues of dismantling, recycling, and the future of composites in the recreational boating industry.
The partnership will also follow policy developments at EU level, such as the European Green Deal, the Circular Economy Action Plan, and the Working Group on End-of-Life boats co-chaired by EBI and the European Commission Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG MARE). Cooperation will also extend to other composite use industries and related industries, such as the wind energy and the transportation segment.
Composites are the main material used for making hulls, decks and large components in boat building, estimated that 95% of all boats will have composite parts. Given that composite boats have been built already for several decades, the number of boats reaching their end-of-life is expected to increase in the coming years.
Use of composites by the recreational boating industry is however estimated to around 3% of the global composite market with infrastructure, transportation, and the wind energy the largest use sectors.