Speira's newly developed eco-friendly and high-strength aluminium alloy bags LCA certification

Speira's latest alloy solution, VIA Maris Njørdal, has bagged the life cycle assessment (LCA) certification as an eco-friendly maritime as well as off-shore material.

Image Source: Speira

The LCA was conducted by the Water Revolution Foundation (WRF) and the ISO 14040 and ISO 14044 by ALEA SRL (University of Modena Reggio Emilia Spin-Off) with third-party peer-review by LCA Working Group (research group of UNIMORE).

Data quality evaluation of the material was based on metrics such as age, reference technology, process, calculation methods, and measurement irregularities. Data is categorised into specific data (from surveys or literature), selected generic data (from databases), and proxy data (estimates and averages). Supporting the fact, Awwal Idris, an Environmental Expert from WRF, has stated, "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."

Specific data is used for most processes, while generic data from Ecoinvent v.3.9 is used for raw materials, fuels, and electricity production. Transport is modelled on means of transport and distances, while SimaPro 9.5 has been used for the study.

The alloy further developed by Speira was analysed compared to the previously used solution. The life cycle analysis has indicated the enhanced performance of VIA Maris Njørdal compared to VIA Maris 5083, with a 15 per cent higher strength in using materials in shipbuilding.

The LCA results are currently being used to create Environmental Product Declarations (EPD) for 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.

Idris adds, "Together with progressive partners like Speira, our foundation is taking impactful steps to reduce the ecological footprint of the yachting industry. 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."

Speira's newly developed aluminium alloy solution vastly downsizes environmental consequences across the majority of the categories, with reductions of up to 15 per cent. This, in turn, marks upliftment compared to traditional aluminium. The only category with minimal change is photochemical oxidation, closely linked to primary aluminium production.

With vast experience in manufacturing high-strength 5000 series alloys, Speira's VIA Maris products are the perfect solution for applications in the maritime and off-shore industries. They offer a better eco-friendly, easy-to-process element with a lower CO2 footprint. For example, yacht builder Arksen from London is already using Speira's marine-grade aluminium for its new Explorer yachts. With the Arksen 85, the company has offered its first vessel with hybrid propulsion. The low-maintenance, efficient, and less resource-intensive craft is planned to become part of a fleet of more environmentally cognizant yachts for marine study 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 it also has a higher recycled content, which is a really key thing for Arksen in our sustainability pathway," enthusiastically expressed Jim Mair, Technical Director at Arksen.