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We invite you to join the upcoming webinar by Roctool and Bcomp on December 3, 2020. There will be a free live demo by Roctool, showing their LIT™ (Light Induction Tooling) technology in combination with Bcomp's thermoplastic natural fibre solutions. Date: December 3, 2020 In order to accommodate our international audience there will be two sessions with identical content. Session #1 - 9 am CET (central Europe) / 4 pm CST (China) -> Register for free Session #2 - 9 am EST (USA Eastern Time) / 3 pm CET (central Europe) -> Register for free Duration: 60 min

Northern Light Composites – based in Monfalcone, Italy – have recently introduced a sustainable and recyclable dinghy for sailing schools and young sailors. NL Composites and their Ecoprimus received an honourable mention as part of the Design Innovation Award during the Genoa Boat Show. The Ecoprimus dinghy in action Recyclable Dinghy with Sustainable Materials The Ecoprimus dinghy is made from flax fibre composites and recycled PET core materials. Arkema’s novel Elium resin allows the boat to be easily recyclable at the end of its lifetime. The thermoplastic resin can be separated from the fibres and completely recycled to create new resin. The flax fibres are locally grown in Europe and allow to significantly reduce the carbon footprint of the boat when compared to conventional glass or carbon fibres. Thanks to the innovative construction, the dinghy is completely recyclable at the end of its life and the flax fibres and resin can be reused for the construction of new non-structural parts. The nlcomp Team About their honourable mention at the Genoa Boat Show, Fabio Bignolini – Project Manager at nlcomp – says: “It is a truly great feeling to be awarded here at the Boat Show together with shipyards of international standing. It is a great opportunity for our start-up: in the coming weeks we will start a promotional campaign to show the Ecoprimus to sailing clubs and spread awareness for sustainability and respect for the environment with the young people who are approaching sailing.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxcfuqHzzcw A New Circular Yacht Economy The marine start-up from Italy is looking to change the yacht economy. One of the biggest issues of the nautical sector consists of boats that have reached the end of their life on water. Boat hulls made from glass and carbon fibre composites typically end up being abandoned on construction sites, ship graveyards or in the countryside. Northern Light Composites is looking to introduce a new circular economy to the yacht sector. The use of 100% flax fibres, recycled core materials and a completely recyclable resin system result in a new and sustainable way to build sailing boats. Not only do these materials result in a reduced CO2 footprint of the boats cradle-to-gate but also allow for completely new end-of-life options. Learn more www.northernlightcomposites.com

Melker of Sweden launches the Melker Arkö – an innovative paddle made with Bcomp’s technical flax fabrics. The Arkö is a unique paddle which unites innovative design, traditional craftsmanship, natural beauty, and technical performance of the highest level.   Since its inception in 2015, Värmland-based Melker of Sweden has had a vision of manufacturing innovative outdoor products with as little environmental impact as possible, without sacrificing neither  performance nor design. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sj9erP9kyoU Leading the Way for Sustainable Paddling Equipment With the Arkö paddle Melker continues to lead the way for innovation, sustainability, craftsmanship, and design. By combining the highest possible technical performance with the natural beauty of flax fibres they have created a very special paddle. The renewable and technically advanced ampliTex™ flax fabrics provide the excellent material properties for the well-thought-out design. The medium-sized paddle with its balanced blade design meets most paddlers’ high demands for a primary paddle. It cuts through the water easily and rewards the kayaker with high power and speed. The blade shape offers precise control while the flax fibres add specific compliance, putting less strain on the shoulders and joints and allowing for a more relaxed paddle stroke. Sustainable High-Performance Materials The use of natural, high-performance flax fibres that are locally grown in Europe allows Arkö paddle to achieve the highest possible mechanical properties while significantly reducing its  CO2 footprint. Melker chose to work with ampliTex™ technical fabrics to give the Arkö its lightweight but durable construction with optimal strength and stiffness. Choosing to use flax fibres naturally provides higher vibration damping which – together with the design – results in a paddle that feels distinctively different and is very easy to handle. “With the Melker Arkö, we have combined our knowledge and experience in innovation, craftsmanship, design, and bio-based materials and created a completely unique paddle – a carefully designed partner for a life on the water,” says Pelle Stafshede, founder of Melker of Sweden.       Previous Next Learn More News in Swedish on Melker's webpage www.melkerofsweden.com