Image: Harry KH

ELG Carbon Fibre, a market leader in recycled carbon fibre materials, and INEOS Team UK are working together to ensure sustainable materials and practices are incorporated into the America’s Cup 2021 build programme.

ELG has been a Technical Supplier to INEOS Team UK since the campaign began in 2018 and has processed 1000kg of carbon manufacturing waste and end-of-use parts for the British Challengers.

From ELG’s specialist facility in the West Midlands, INEOS Team UK’s recovered fibres are converted into milled and chopped products to make thermoset and thermoplastic compounds and non-woven mats. These reprocessed products are then used to manufacture composite structures during the production of the AC75 boat that will compete in Auckland in 2021.

Although precise details of the boat’s design remain a closely guarded secret, ELG can reveal their recycled non-woven materials have been used in the production of two cradles to support the AC75 during transit as well as the hull and deck moulds.

ELG’s technicians conducted a range of fibre characterisation analyses on INEOS Team UK’s feedstock. Every batch of material that is processed is also given a classification to support traceability and consistency in the fibres recovered, and therefore in the final product. All these processes adhered to BS EN ISO 9001:2015 and EN 9100:2016 quality standards. 

Both organisations view this partnership as a vital step in addressing the issue of global carbon consumption and raising awareness of the urgent need to move towards closed loop recycling within the marine industry.

Alan Boot, Naval Architect for INEOS Team UK, comments. “The reuse of carbon fibre products is a real game changer. We are diverting waste away from landfill and closing the loop in our production methods wherever possible. ELG’s products have fitted seamlessly into our manufacturing processes which demonstrates how successfully these materials can be in a range of commercial markets. This is a really exciting time in terms of boat production and will hopefully lead the way for other manufacturers to follow suit.”

“This is the perfect partnership. ELG’s recycled carbon fibre products are helping to support the vital message of sustainability in elite sport and that is something we are very proud to be associated with,” comments Frazer Barnes, ELG Carbon Fibre’s Managing Director.

INEOS Team UK AC75 Boat 1 will be launched this summer.

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