The International Laser Class Association (ILCA) and natural fibre innovator Greenboats, have announced an ongoing partnership to explore and develop environmentally responsible innovation within ILCA one-design dinghy’s production.
The collaboration builds on the sustainability work of both organisations and aims to reduce the ILCA dinghy’s environmental footprint while maintaining the legacy of ILCA’s one-design racing.
The companies say any innovation must preserve the class’s one-design principles to protect fairness and performance.
The two companies aim to develop a low-emission ILCA concept that they say will reimagine dinghy construction for the future.
By working with Greenboats, we can evolve responsibly.
Tracy Usher
In the near term, sustainable materials will be trialled on isolated areas of the dinghy or on smaller components of the equipment with a vision of adopting innovation in a stepped approach.
Greenboats will lead technical research, supply chain, and co-manufacture of prototypes, while ILCA will ensure lifecycle assessments, compliance with the relevant authorities and alignment with class governance as well as ILCA approved builders and suppliers.
“By working with Greenboats, we can evolve responsibly – protecting our class’s extensive legacy, competitive fairness and longevity while taking meaningful steps toward a sustainable future,” said Tracy Usher, ILCA president.
Meaningful change
“ILCA and Greenboats share the same vision of real and meaningful change, driven by facts and measurable data.”
Friedrich Deimann, founder of Greenboats: added: “We’re excited to bring our expertise to the world’s most popular dinghy class and show that natural fibres and bio-based resins can perform at the highest level.
“We welcome suppliers to join us in shaping a more sustainable future for sailing.”
Greenboats has developed a range of bio-based and recycled materials it uses for boat building and has a range of projects that reflect its drive for sustainable innovation.
These include Eco-Boats, a project to promote green skills and eco-friendly practices and the GreenBox project which develops eco-friendly CO2 efficient composites.
