Sustainable Composites in the Marine Industry: Challenges and Applications in Groupe Beneteau’s Product Range

Groupe Beneteau produces 30,000 composite small parts per year. Developing the eco-design of boats is a major challenge for the group.

Focusing on material and recyclability, some works have been successfully carried out, in collaboration with Arkema and Chomarat. The aim is to reduce the environmental impact of composites in boats by working on the reinforcement and the resin.

Chomarat has developed a hybrid glass/hemp reinforcement capable of adapting to the closed mold process of Groupe Beneteau. At the same time, Chomarat is working on the recycling and reuse of fiberglass.

Elium®, the recyclable and styrene free liquid thermoplastic resin from Arkema has been successfully implemented on Beneteau’s “First 44e” boat.

The objective is to deploy these solutions on Groupe Beneteau’s other boats in their range to drastically reduce the CO² footprint.

The initiative is already concrete in 2023 with the series production of Jeanneau Sun Fast 30 0D boats.