The Royal DSM Group is a global science company with a goal-oriented, globally active nutrition, health and green lifestyle, and a world leader in water sports products such as paddles, surf, windsurfing and kiteboarding. Starboard, a joint initiative to recycle waste nets and develop special materials for consumer products such as surfboard components. This collaboration will help clear beach waste, create a healthier and greener marine environment, and create positive for local communities in India. Social impact.
The two parties have reached a cooperative intention for a common desire for a clean environment and a circular economy. Starboard chose this DSM Akulon® RePurposed product and solution, which is completely recycled from discarded nylon nets and is sustainable. Known for its high performance and high performance. Abandoned fishing nets collected from the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea are reborn on the Starboard surfboard with structural components such as fins, fin boxes, SUP air pumps. All use Akulon® RePurposed parts The products are marked as Starboard NetPositive!.
DSM's strategy includes developing innovative solutions and creating multi-disciplinary cooperation, developing a circular economy, and taking the UN Sustainable Development Goals as a blueprint for addressing environmental issues such as climate change, resource scarcity, waste and pollution. The current model of 'manufacturing-use-discarding' in society, but trying to simulate the cycle of nature and life. For example, in our collaboration with Starboard, we use waste to make durable, high-quality materials that end in their life cycle. After recycling, it will create new value. 'Matt Gray, Commercial Director, Asia Pacific, Engineering Plastics Business Unit, Royal DSM Group, Netherlands.
'Our work is challenging but also enjoyable, especially in redesigning products to reduce environmental impact and achieve higher performance,' said Svein Rasmussen, founder and CEO of Starboard. 'Through cooperation with DSM, We demonstrate how to quickly and easily optimize surfboard manufacturing materials and technologies to help the planet's green future. We hope to continue to introduce more eco-friendly innovations in surfboard manufacturing to help the environmental protection industry flourish.
In addition to addressing environmental issues, the collection, sorting, cleaning and processing of abandoned fishing nets has also created sustainable livelihoods for local communities in India.
According to United Nations statistics, more than 8 million tons of plastics eventually enter the ocean, causing serious damage to marine wildlife and fisheries, and at least $8 billion in loss of marine ecosystems. Waste plastic fishing nets are part of these marine debris. Food and Agriculture Organization A report prepared jointly by the (FAO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) shows that fishnets that have been abandoned in the oceans can still exist in marine ecosystems for hundreds of years, which experts call 'ghost fishing nets' It is estimated that there are currently about 640,000 tons of these fishing nets in the ocean, accounting for nearly 10% of all plastic waste in the ocean.
'This collaboration demonstrates DSM's growth and value-target-oriented, performance-driven' latest strategy and supports the Group's leadership in sustainable development. We hope to encourage other companies to actively expand based on the success of Starboard. New projects, jointly promote the development and prosperity of the circular economy. ' Matt Gray added.