Sicomin bio-based resins used in flax fiber-reinforced boat

 

 

Epoxy specialist Sicomin (Marseille, France) has partnered with marine natural fiber composites manufacturer GREENBOATS (Bremen, Germany) on the supply of GreenPoxy bio-based resins for GREENBOATS’ FLAX 27 daysailer boat — the most complete natural fiber composite project the company has realized to date. In addition, Sicomin says its hand lamination and infusion production processes have been optimized for natural fiber composites.

GREENBOATS, which has been producing natural fiber composites for marine and industrial applications at its Bremen facility for more than a decade, says its mission is to use 100% renewable and sustainable raw materials in its sandwich composite structures. 

The FLAX 27 is an 8.2-meter classically styled daysailer designed by naval architects Judel/Vrolijk & Co. The hull, deck and internal structure of the vessel were infused with Sicomin’s very low viscosity GreenPoxy InfuGreen 810 resin and flax fiber reinforcement fabrics. Vacuum infusion combined with Sicomin’s resin produced clear natural fiber laminates said to have outstanding mechanical properties. Available with a choice of hardeners to adjust the curing time as required, InfuGreen 810 also carries DNV-GL approval.

The companies plan to continue working together in 2020.

“Our goal is to really get people excited about natural fiber composites. Sicomin’s GreenPoxy products help us create sustainable composites with no compromise in performance or appearance,” says Friedrich Johann Deimann, GREENBOATS founder.