Sunreef Yachts and North Sails Champion Eco-Friendly Build Materials

Sunreef is using recycled PET bottles to build composite superstructures. Courtesy Sunreef Yachts

Sunreef yachts continues to try and position itself at the forefront of eco-minded boatbuilders. It already works with solar panels that are built right into yacht hulls, propulsion and other systems that reduce the use of traditional fuels, and onboard furnishings that run the gamut from leather and animal-skin alternatives to sustainable and reclaimed woods.

Now comes the use of recycled PET bottles in the construction process for composite superstructures. “This innovative use of structural foam, composed of up to 100 percent recycled PET materials, represents a significant stride toward more eco-conscious yacht construction,” the builder announced in April.

PET stands for polyethylene terephthalate. It’s a form of polyester. Even with recycling, most PET bottles end up in landfills—where they can take 400 years to decompose. lumos sp/adobe.stock

According to Sunreef’s team, the recycled thermoplastic core comes with quite a few benefits. The material has high resistance to process temperatures, “exceptional” chemical resistance, strong adhesion, and mechanical properties. It’s also fully recyclable. “The construction of an 80-foot sailing catamaran requires approximately 2.4 tons of this foam core, equivalent to recycling around 600,000 PET bottles,” according to the Sunreef team.

Other companies in the marine industry are thinking in similar directions. Earlier this year, North Sails announced the debut of its Renew line, which is made with bio-based and recycled raw materials.

According to Sunreef Yachts, about 600,000 PET bottles are recycled to build a single Sunreef 80. Courtesy Sunreef Yachts

The team at North Sails says it took a few years to figure out the process to source the materials and make the sails, but product director Tom Davis is confident in the result: “This product has been tested to the absolute limit, and we are confident that a sail constructed with Renew will offer comparable, unbeatable durability and sail shape for our cruising customers without compromising on performance.”

What Else Can It Be?

Recycled pet bottles are used in all kinds of products today. They can be turned into polyester fiber for clothing and carpets, a stuffing-type material for pillows and sleeping bags, straps to keep items secure on carts and pallets, and various types of packaging such as egg cartons and food containers.

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