In a bid to navigate the seas of climate change and environmental consciousness, the Beneteau Group, based in Croix de Vie, France, has set sail on a groundbreaking venture. With an annual production exceeding 30,000 composite parts for boat decks, the company is steering toward a greener horizon by incorporating natural fibers into its creations.
This year marked a significant milestone as Beneteau Group joined forces with Chomarat to develop hybrid composites using a fusion of glassfiber and hemp. The result, named Ter2a Mat, earned its stripes as a finalist in the prestigious JEC Innovation Awards, showcasing the industry’s commitment to eco-friendly practices.
Across the seas in Switzerland, a visionary project named Blue Nomad is challenging the conventional boundaries of ocean living. Conceived by students from Institut auf dem Rosenberg in St Gallen, in collaboration with Denmark-based SAGA Space Architects, Blue Nomad envisions solar-powered habitats made from flax fiber composites. These structures, resembling modular blocks, aim to establish sustainable communities and oceanic farms, transcending the traditional lines between land and water.
What sets Blue Nomad apart is its tangible impact. Plans are underway for the maiden voyage of a Blue Nomad home across Europe, promoting ocean sustainability and climatology. The project’s scale models, showcased in a London exhibition, and the first Blue Nomad structure both utilize BComp’s ampliTex flax fibers in gradient designs, complemented by a natural bio-resin.
The driving force behind these innovations is the Alliance for European Flax-Linen and Hemp, pioneers in new composite development. As they monitor the marine market, the alliance expresses awe at the rapid pace of development and the remarkable role that flax fibers and natural composites are poised to play in shaping the future of sustainable living on the seas.
In this era where climate change looms large and rising sea levels pose a threat, these initiatives paint a vivid picture of a future where sustainability and community-building form the bedrock of new human settlements. The seas are not just a frontier but a canvas for innovation, with flax fibers unfurling as the sails of change in the maritime industry.