Torqeedo, a company specialising in electric and hybrid drives, has declared war on plastic waste in the sea.
According to Torqeedo, an estimated 14 million tons of plastic waste ends up in the world’s waterways and, ultimately, in the sea. With this in mind, the company is taking a step towards cleaner waterways and a more sustainable shipping industry by aiming to “divert and integrate ocean plastics into its zero-emission boat products”. [ds_preview]
To this end, Torqeedo has formed a new advanced engineering team that, among other things, is researching alternative materials to further minimise the environmental impact of its recreational and commercial boating products. The team is testing recycled PET and PP plastic pellets sourced from the sea, which are estimated to reduce the source material’s CO2 impact by more than 80% and have a quality very close to virgin material due to stringent processes and advanced recycling facilities.
Torqeedo wants to recycle 100% plastic
“Normally, when integrating new materials, you start with a low percentage – for example, 10% or 20% recycled material. However, we have decided to aim higher. Our prototype propellers are made from 100% recycled marine plastic and we are very pleased that they have exceeded all requirements in the first round of environmental and stress tests. After some slight adjustments, we will produce the next prototypes in Torqeedo orange. These will be very similar to the propellers used today,” says Florian Deger, who is leading the project in Torqeedo’s Advanced Engineering team. “It’s a good feeling to hold one of the prototypes in your hands and know that we are keeping plastic bottles and pollution out of the waters we all love to explore with our boats.”
“While integrating ocean plastics into our products is just one of many steps Torqeedo is taking to help build a more sustainable marine industry, it’s about much more than just disposing of plastic bottles,” says Fabian Bez, CEO of Torqeedo.
Products to be launched on the market next year
“We are helping to develop a circular economy for plastics and turning used plastics from waste into treasure. Collecting used plastic for recycling is only economically viable if there is a market for recycled material, and we are proud to be at the forefront of closing the loop. Many manufacturers are reluctant to use recycled materials because they believe they are inferior. Torqeedo is convinced that a circular economy for plastics is already possible today without compromising product performance and durability,” Bez continues. “If the next rounds of testing are as successful as expected, the first Torqeedo products with ocean-bound plastics will be on the market within the next year.”
Bez concludes: “This is exactly why we have established our new Advanced Engineering team at Torqeedo. Every step we take to reduce the environmental and climate impact of boating improves our human and natural environment and helps to preserve our boating lifestyle.”
