Water Revolution Foundation certifies VIA Maris Njørdal
- Improved aluminium alloy for more environmentally sustainable shipbuilding
- Life Cycle Assessment proves resource savings of up to 15 percent
The demand for eco-friendly solutions in yacht building is growing. Speira is therefore all the more pleased about the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) certification of VIA Maris Njørdal, a high-strength 5000 series alloy used in shipbuilding and the offshore industry.
In collaboration with Water Revolution Foundation (WRF) and external partner Alea Design, a spin-off from the University of Modena Reggio Emilia, the alloy further developed by Speira was analysed in comparison to the previously used solution. The life cycle analysis shows the improved performance of VIA Maris Njørdal compared to VIA Maris 5083: with a 15 percent higher strength, the innovative aluminium solution enables an up to 15 percent reduction in the use of materials in shipbuilding. The LCA results are currently being used to create Environmental Product Declarations (EPD) for both VIA Maris 5083 and VIA Maris Njørdal. Speira thus follows the understanding that sustainability and transparency are inseparable and shows how its aluminium sheets impact the environment in ship, yacht and boat building.
Awwal Idris, Environmental Expert of Water Revolution Foundation, said: “Together with progressive partners like Speira, our foundation is taking impactful steps to reduce the ecological footprint of the yachting industry. Using the rigorous Life Cycle Assessment methodology outlined by ISO 14040, we comprehensively analysed the aluminium used in VIA Maris Njørdal, evaluating its entire journey from raw material extraction to end-of-life disposal and recycling. This assessment confirms that Speira’s aluminium solution surpasses the conventional, business-as-usual standard 5083 alloy, offering better environmental performance as a construction material and supporting more eco-friendly building practices. We’re advancing an environmentally responsible future for the yachting industry and the planet by championing materials that minimise harm to our environment.”
Find the LCA’s summary in Water Revolution Foundation’s Hub of Verified Solutions.
Shipbuilder Arksen relies on Speira’s VIA Maris Njørdal
Based on many years of experience in the production of high-strength 5000 series alloys, Speira's VIA Maris products are the perfect solution for applications in the maritime and offshore industry. They offer a more eco-friendly, easy-to-process material with a low CO2 footprint. Yacht builder Arksen from London, for example, is already using Speira's marine-grade aluminium for its new Explorer yachts. With the Arksen 85, the company is presenting its first vessel with hybrid propulsion, which is low-maintenance, efficient and less resource-intensive over its entire life cycle and is set to become part of a planned fleet of more environmentally-conscious yachts for marine research and conservation. “Njørdal is a really exciting product for Arksen, not only does it have higher mechanical properties than many grades in marine aluminium, but also has a higher recycled content, which is a really key thing for Arksen in our sustainability pathway,” says Jim Mair, Technical Director at Arksen.
Speira is committed to developing low-carbon solutions in shipbuilding, and being recognised by Water Revolution Foundation is an important step in this direction. The independent LCA certification of VIA Maris Njørdal is a seal of innovation and quality and a valuable guide for engineers and shipyards on how to further reduce the environmental footprint of the maritime industry by choosing the right aluminium solution.
About Water Revolution Foundation:
The yachting industry is dependent on the intact ecosystem of the oceans. This is why Water Revolution Foundation takes a co-operative, constructive approach, guided by the state of the art science and the initiatives of the international community: By providing the yachting industry with tools, knowledge and best practices, the foundation aims to be the central platform that facilitates the shift towards neutralising the industry's ecological footprint and thus makes a decisive contribution to protecting the oceans. A mission that has also been supported since 2023 by the rolling and recycling specialist Speira, whose special alloys are also produced for shipbuilding. The foundation forms the link between the yachting industry and the strategic approach of the United Nations and UNESCO.
For more information, visit waterrevolutionfoundation.org.