In collaboration with the milling and tooling leader Merritt Precision, a Correct Craft company, Arkema is delighted to unveil the first entirely recyclable composite mold utilizing Arkema's Elium® liquid thermoplastic resin. This recyclable resin has been meticulously tailored for infusion processes of sizable components with low viscosity, long reactivity, and a low exothermic reaction. While its use extends to diverse mold types, Elium® resin is particularly suited for the marine sector, catering to the fabrication of composite watercraft.
The groundbreaking fully recyclable Elium® resin composite mold will make its inaugural public appearance at IBEX 2023 in Tampa, Florida in the Elium® resin booth 1-205. Following the event, this innovative product will be made commercially available.
Greg Warren, Merritt Precision’s Technical Director of Operations, expressed enthusiasm about this collaborative endeavor, stating, “We take pride in partnering with Arkema on this venture and are eager to introduce this new innovation to the marine industry. The qualities inherent in the fully recyclable composite mold are not only beneficial for the ecosystem but also meet the needs of our manufacturing process.”
Industries spanning marine, wind energy, and transportation sectors, among others, rely on composite molds for production component manufacturing. These molds are predominantly fabricated from thermoset resins. Although these molds meet manufacturing requirements, their use is confined to a specific number of parts or years, averaging around four years before replacement. This conventional practice creates substantial landfill waste, as the non-recyclable thermoset resins are commonly disposed or discarded.
Paula Sleiman, Director of Innovation at Watershed, Correct Craft’s emerging and disruptive innovation-focused company, stated, “Aligned with our partners at Arkema, where innovation and sustainable materials are their core, we are pushing to prevent our products from ever reaching a landfill. Through lasting quality and pioneering recycling methods, together, we’re making strides in the right direction.”
Elium® resin delivers attributes like those of thermoset resins while granting the recyclability advantage. This advantage provides the opportunity to take retired mold laminates through a treatment process and reuse them to make new tooling or marine products themselves, thereby eliminating landfill waste.
Nicolas Valloir, Business Manager at Arkema., remarked, “Elium® resin consistently forges pathways to solutions and opportunities in the marine industry and we are very excited to present our progress in sustainability in partnership with Merritt Precision. This innovation reflects the shared values and commitment of our respective companies in shaping a more sustainable collective future.”
Recycling molds made from Arkema’s Elium® liquid thermoplastic resin presents the opportunity to reduce waste and provide a path for all recreational watercraft manufacturers to move closer to carbon neutrality in the coming years.
About Merritt Precision: Since 2004, Merritt Precision has specialized in large-format CNC machining solutions for a wide range of sophisticated composite parts. Experience combined with a focus on relationships has helped Merritt Precision bring their customers’ most ambitious ideas to reality and to success in the marketplace. With locations in Merritt Island, FL and Sweetwater, TN, Merritt Precision provide 3D design, scanning, milling, and tooling services to customers with diverse composite needs. For more information, please visit www.merrittprecision.com.
About Watershed Innovation: Founded in 2018, Watershed Innovation is committed to making “A Better Tomorrow Today” through identifying, researching, developing, and integrating exponential technologies to benefit Correct Craft, its subsidiaries, and the marine industry. These ideas will strategically align with our businesses, our culture and our focus of “Making Life Better.” For more information, please visit www.watershedinnovation.com.
About Correct Craft: Celebrating 98 years of excellence in the marine industry, Correct Craft is a Florida-based company with global operations. Focused on “Making Life Better,” the Correct Craft family includes Nautique, Centurion, Supreme, Bass Cat, Yar-Craft, SeaArk, Parker, and Ingenity boat companies, Pleasurecraft Engine Group, Indmar Marine Engines, Velvet Drive Transmissions, Mach Connections, Merritt Precision, Osmosis, Watershed Innovation, and Aktion Parks. For more information, please visit www.correctcraft.com.
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