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Report on a Strategic Alliance for Sustainable Boating and Circular Economy

Executive Summary

A strategic alliance has been formed by industry leaders, including Arkema and Beneteau, to advance sustainability within the boating sector. The partnership focuses on leveraging material chemistry to establish a viable circular economic model for marine composites and recycling. This initiative directly addresses critical environmental challenges and aligns with global sustainability frameworks, particularly the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The alliance’s objectives demonstrate a strong commitment to several key SDGs:

• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: The core mission is to build a circular model for boat manufacturing. This directly supports Target 12.5 by aiming to substantially reduce waste generation through the recycling and reuse of composite materials from end-of-life boats.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: By pioneering new applications in material chemistry and composite recycling, the partnership fosters sustainable industrial innovation (Target 9.4) and enhances technological capabilities for a greener industry (Target 9.5).
• SDG 14: Life Below Water: The development of recyclable boats with a lower environmental footprint contributes to the prevention and reduction of marine pollution (Target 14.1), mitigating the impact of discarded vessels on marine ecosystems.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The collaboration itself, involving Arkema, Beneteau, and other major players, exemplifies a multi-stakeholder partnership (Target 17.17) dedicated to achieving sustainable development.

Strategic Initiatives and Outlook

The alliance will showcase its progress and vision at the upcoming 2025 Paris Boat Show. This event will serve as a platform to communicate the project’s contributions to a sustainable future.

1. Public Engagement: An educational pathway dedicated to circular boatbuilding will be featured at the Beneteau stand, demonstrating the practical application of the alliance’s work.
2. Industry Leadership: The initiative highlights Beneteau’s commitment, as a global leader, to drive the industry towards more sustainable practices.
3. Long-Term Vision: The ultimate goal is to establish a new industry standard for recyclable boats, significantly reducing the sector’s overall environmental footprint and reinforcing its alignment with the SDGs.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

• The article’s central theme is the creation of a “viable circular model” for the boating industry. This directly aligns with SDG 12, which promotes resource efficiency and sustainable production patterns. The initiative to create “more recyclable boats with a lower environmental footprint” is a core principle of responsible production.

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

• The text highlights innovation as a key driver for sustainability. Phrases like “leverage material chemistry for sustainability” and Arkema’s role as an R&D expert point to the development of new technologies and processes to make the boating industry more sustainable, which is a key aspect of SDG 9.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

• The article explicitly emphasizes the collaborative nature of the project, describing it as an “alliance” and a “partnership with leaders in boating, composites, and recycling.” This multi-stakeholder approach to solving a complex sustainability challenge is the essence of SDG 17.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

1. Target 12.5: By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse.
   • The article’s focus on creating “recyclable boats” and establishing a “circular boatbuilding” model is a direct effort to reduce waste from end-of-life boats, aligning perfectly with this target.

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

1. Target 9.4: By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes.
   • The initiative described in the article is a clear example of retrofitting the boating industry. By using advanced “material chemistry” to develop recyclable composites, the alliance is promoting the adoption of environmentally sound technologies to lower the industry’s environmental footprint.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

1. Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.
   • The article describes a private-sector partnership between Arkema, Beneteau, and “five other major players.” This “alliance” is a model of a multi-stakeholder partnership working together to achieve a common sustainability goal, as encouraged by this target.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

• The article implies progress through the development and implementation of a “viable circular model.” A key indicator is the creation of “more recyclable boats.” While no quantitative data is given, the existence of this model and the production of such boats serve as qualitative indicators of progress towards reducing waste.

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

• An implied indicator is the successful application of “material chemistry for sustainability.” The development of new, recyclable composite materials for boatbuilding is a tangible outcome of the innovation mentioned. The “educational pathway dedicated to circular boatbuilding” at the Paris Boat Show also serves as an indicator of the industry’s adoption of these new processes.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

• The primary indicator is the formation and continued operation of the “alliance” itself. The article mentions the partnership involves Arkema, Beneteau, and other major players. Their joint presence and educational initiative at the 2025 Paris Boat Show is a concrete indicator of this partnership’s activity and effectiveness.

Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: arkema.com