

MerConcept, a racing boat construction company, and Extracthive, a specialist in carbon fibre recycling, announce their partnership to integrate recycled materials into shipbuilding. Their partnership aims to reduce the carbon footprint of the boating sector, while ensuring ideal performance. As part of this partnership, a first series of parts has been produced: ballast vents (“dorades”)*, made of 100% recycled carbon fibres. These vents have been fitted on an IMOCA monohull, which will participate in the Vendée Globe 2024. This is a very tough test to verify the strength of these materials.
Thanks to the Extracthive patented PHYre® technology, fibres from post-production and post-consumer composite waste retain mechanical properties comparable to virgin fibres, while having ten times less environmental impact.
MerConcept and Extracthive are also exploring other applications to increase the use of recycled fibres in shipbuilding and to recycle composite waste from boatyards.
The Vendée Globe 2024 will be an ideal showcase to promote this innovation and raise awareness among the general public about a more sustainable nautical industry.
*Water tanks, called ballasts, ensure balance during navigation. They can be filled and emptied thanks to the presence of vents opening onto the deck of the vessel. A ventilator system “dorade” is installed to prevent any water infiltration from the outside – while allowing air to circulate.
Website: https://extracthive.eu/