Williams Jet Tenders is to spearhead a project to test alternative, more sustainable composite materials for use in its tenders.
The programme will be delivered in partnership with the National Composites Centre (NCC) in Bristol, with Williams receiving a grant of £13,000 from Innovate UK EDGE to fund part of the sustainability programme.
“We are thrilled to have received this grant and are excited about the work and results that can be achieved as part of this project, working alongside the experienced team at the NCC,” said Sarah Moore, sustainability specialist at Williams Jet Tenders.
“This is an incredible milestone in our sustainability journey which has been led by months of research and analysis.”
Life-cycle analysis
As part of the four-month long programme, and through the life-cycle analysis of its tenders, the team has already identified composites as having the greatest material impact and associated carbon emissions.
By working to reduce the embedded carbon within marine tender composites, the Williams team hopes to be able to use the results of this study to direct the usability of alternative composite materials in its tenders and inform the need for future research.
The boatbuilder will manufacture the test panels to specification in its factory in Oxfordshire before they are delivered to the NCC where full engineering tests will take place. Testing will take place on panels manufactured from natural fibre, GRP and a hybrid of both materials to assess the capabilities of sustainable fibres for use in the manufacture of yacht tenders.
