First boat with a climate-positive plastic hull produced in Mo i Rana

Helgeland Plast has produced its first boat made from climate-positive raw materials, thereby setting a new standard in the boat industry.
– No one else is making boats from this material. We are talking about the first boat in the world produced with such a low carbon footprint, says Tommy Kristiansen, Commercial Manager for the boat division.

The boats are made of plastic produced from waste, used cooking oil, and wood chips. The raw material comes from Borealis in Sweden, and the entire value chain is certified through ISCC+, a globally recognized system for sustainability and recycling.
– Previously, this material would have been destroyed and released into the atmosphere. Now it is instead captured in the boat hulls. In this way, we are actually conducting carbon capture, says Kristiansen.

Helgeland Plast has already delivered 28 boats made from climate-positive raw materials since April. – This is our way of taking social responsibility, says Kristiansen.

28 boats since April
The first boat made from climate-positive raw materials was completed in April this year. Since then, Helgeland Plast has produced another 27 boats – and more are on the way.
– We have already purchased 29 tons of raw material from Borealis. That doesn’t include finished sheets, so the actual number is probably even higher, Kristiansen explains.

Fully committed
Switching to climate-positive raw materials means higher costs, but Helgeland Plast has decided to use them in all boats going forward.
– At first, we considered offering it as an option for customers. But we made a clear decision: All our boats will be produced this way. Plastic in the ocean is the big bad wolf, and this is our way of taking social responsibility. Customers have welcomed the change with open arms, says Kristiansen.

In addition to the new hulls, the boats can also be delivered with electric engines. Six such boats have already been produced.

In demand in the industry
Helgeland Plast produces between 80 and 100 boats annually, most of which go to professional operators. The aquaculture industry is an important customer group.
– The aquaculture industry is very concerned with climate and the environment, and for them, it means a lot that the boats are produced in a more sustainable way, Kristiansen says.

The Armed Forces have also ordered boats, and Kristiansen says the contract is both important and demanding.
– It involves a lot of work and a high pace, but it’s a feather in our cap. It shows that we have the quality and professionalism that the Armed Forces want, he says.

International attention
The initiative has already gained international attention. In October, Helgeland Plast will participate in the world’s largest plastics fair in Düsseldorf, at the invitation of Borealis.
– Previously, they have had giants like Volkswagen at their stand. Now it’s us from little Mo i Rana who will be there at the forefront. That’s a big deal, says Kristiansen.

Facts: ISCC+

• ISCC (International Sustainability & Carbon Certification) is a global certification system for sustainability and recycling.
• The entire value chain – from production to transport and sales – must be certified.
• The certification makes it possible to use raw materials based on waste, used cooking oil, and biomaterials such as wood chips in plastic production.

Categorised in: Frontpage, Industripark News