Thomas Tison Yacht Design & Engineering will bring the America’s Cup expertise to the italian shipyard nlcomp®, proprietary of the rCompositeTM technology that allows for easy recycling of composite material at the end of the boat life. Together, they will develop the ecoFoiler, a 3.80m foiling dinghy made with recyclable materials, with a focus on sustainability and performance.
For serious sailors of all levels
The design of the ecoFoiler will make it easy to handle before and after take off. This feature makes it an ideal product for sailors of all levels, offering a thrilling sailing experience.
Thanks to Thomas Tison’s expertise in designing racing yachts and in composite engineering, and to NLComp’s expertise in the manufacturing of bio composites, the ecoFoiler weight will be comparable to its non-eco-friendly alternatives.
Spirit of progress and innovation
Last year, the French studio led by Thomas Tison launched a custom sailboat featuring a high-tech wooden hull and conducted research and a Life Cycle Assessment to measure the impact of its design on reducing the boat’s carbon footprint.
The partnership with nlcomp® represents an opportunity to drive innovation also in the field of bio-composite materials. This collaboration embodies the same spirit of progress seen in the America’s Cup, now applied to sustainable construction.
“Eco-composite and foiling projects are now reaching a wider audience. We will analyse and optimise every phase of the construction and production process to ensure that the ecoFoiler is accessible to a broad spectrum of sailors seeking the thrill of foiling with a minimal carbon footprint. Our goal is to transform this concept into a boat that can provide this unique experience to as many people as possible.”
Designer, builder and suppliers with the same aim
The hull of the prototype and the mould (3d printed by Breton, using their Genesi machine and a recyclable thermoplastic polymer) of this project are ready, and were unveiled at the JEC in Paris, the world’s leading trade show for the composites industry.
The team led by Thomas Tison will optimise the hull shape, develop the deck, the sailplan, and the foiling system to ensure optimal performance.
Nlcomp® previous project, the ecoracer25, already proved to the industry that sustainable performance is possible. In 2022, the world’s first recyclable sportboat won the Italian Sportboat championship held in Lake Garda against a fleet of forty fibreglass competitors.
In addition to the collaboration between Thomas Tison and nlcomp®, the EcoFoiler also benefits from partnerships with leading companies in sustainable materials and manufacturing.
Bcomp, for instance, is supplying Amplitex™ flax fibres, which are eco-friendly and have a lower carbon footprint compared to traditional fibreglass.
Meanwhile, Arkema is providing the thermoplastic resins, which are recyclable, further reducing the environmental impact of the project. Breton, on the other hand, has manufactured the world’s first 3D printed recyclable mould for a sailing dinghy, showcasing the cutting-edge technology and innovation behind the ecoFoiler’s sustainable design.
These partnerships underscore the commitment of the ecoFoiler team to promoting sustainable practices and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the sailing industry.
