Renewable plastic for workboat hulls

Aquaculture takes a sustainable leap forward with the unveiling of a groundbreaking workboat hull constructed from renewable plastic. Borealis and AKVA group will introduce this innovation in Mo i Rana, Norway, in Spring 2024, marking a significant milestone for circularity in marine technology.

Borealis, a global leader in advanced and sustainable polyolefin solutions, collaborates with AKVA group, the foremost technology provider to the aquaculture industry, to pioneer this initiative.

The Polarcirkel™ series, renowned for its practical design, exceptional reliability, and unparalleled safety, finds application across diverse industries, including fish farming, oil and gas, rescue, defense, Arctic tours, and recreational boating. These vessels withstand extreme conditions, from Arctic cold to tropical heat.

Utilizing Borealis' Bornewables™ portfolio of renewable polyolefins, AKVA group offers boats with a significantly reduced carbon footprint. Derived from sources like used cooking oil, Bornewables™ match virgin plastics' performance while decoupling from fossil-based feedstock.

The hull, crafted from Borealis BorSafe™ HE3490-LS-HW grade, comprises 90% renewable content via a Mass Balance approach. Each kilogram produced reduces approximately 1.9kg of CO2 equivalent emissions compared to fossil-based equivalents.

AKVA group prioritizes sustainability by transporting materials to Mo i Rana via train, minimizing the transportation carbon footprint. This partnership heralds further collaboration, extending to additional workboat components and floating aquaculture constructions made of renewable materials.

Freddy Bakken Braseth, AKVA group's Mo i Rana General Manager: “The aquaculture industry is poised for a circular transformation, and we are excited to lead the charge with the help of Borealis. Our first priority will always be the safety of the people on board our vessels, and it’s remarkable that this can now be achieved just as effectively with a much smaller carbon footprint,” John Webster, Borealis Global Commercial Director Infrastructure, underscores the commitment to sustainable innovation and high-performance standards aligned with EverMinds mission for a circular economy.