Photos: Sicomin
Presented as a demonstration of responsible ocean sailing, the Greenscow project aims to prove that a racing boat can be both high-performance and sustainable. Designed by naval architect Gildas Plessis and built by the French Kaori Concept shipyard in the Loire-Atlantique region, the prototype is based on a birch plywood sandwich, reinforced with basalt and flax fibres and impregnated with a partially bio-based epoxy resin.
At the heart of this approach is the new bio-based resin SR GreenPoxy 550 developed by Sicomin, formulated for wood-fibre composites. Without sacrificing performance, it promises a significantly reduced carbon footprint.
The choice of these materials meets a specific target. A hull built using this method would reduce CO₂ emissions by up to 80% compared to an all-carbon model, with an additional weight of only a few hundred kilograms. The approach also eliminates the need for composite moulds and minimises the use of consumables.
SR GreenPoxy 550 for wood composites
To meet the mechanical constraints of a racing boat, Sicomin has developed SR GreenPoxy 550, a resin resulting from an extensive research programme. Formulated for bonding and laminating wood, its formulation is partially bio-based, with approximately 30% carbon of plant origin certified according to ASTM D6866. It is free of any CMR substances (carcinogenic, mutagenic or reprotoxic), a major advance for user health. Its controlled viscosity facilitates manual application and limits material loss. At the same time, its high adhesion to wood and natural fibres and the surface quality obtained after curing make it a solution that is perfectly suited to high-end construction and ocean racing.
The product will be on display at Metstrade 2025, in Amsterdam (18-20 November).
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