- Prototype recyclable speed board unveiled at JEC World 2026 uses Elium® liquid thermoplastic acrylic resin and recycled carbon fiber
- Board will be used by Antoine Albeau and the Zephir Project at the Windsurfing Speed World Championships (Apr 27–May 6, 2026) and for world record attempts (June 1–30, 2026) in Aude
- Core foam shares Elium® chemistry to eliminate separation during recycling, enabling full chemical recyclability via depolymerization and recovery of fibers and resin
- Project partners: Arkema, Zephir Project, ALTEN, Alpha Recyclage Composite, Evonik (Rohacryl® foam supplier) and Neo Sailing Technologies
Prototype and materials
At JEC World 2026 Arkema and the Zephir Project unveiled a prototype speed board built with Elium® liquid thermoplastic acrylic resin, combined with recycled carbon fiber and a foam core made from the same Elium chemistry.
Recyclability
The board is eco-designed for full chemical recyclability: depolymerization separates resin and fibers, the recovered resin can be reused to produce recycled resin, and the matching foam core removes a separation step during recycling.
Performance and manufacturing
Elium's liquid form enables high-precision molding for complex geometries while delivering mechanical performance comparable to thermosetting materials in high-stress speed sailing applications, supporting structural parts that require rigidity, acceleration resistance and stability.
Deployment and timeline
The prototype will be used by Antoine Albeau and the Zephir Project at the Windsurfing Speed World Championships (Apr 27–May 6, 2026) and for world record attempts (June 1–30, 2026) in Aude; project partners include Arkema, Zephir Project, ALTEN, Alpha Recyclage Composite, Evonik (Rohacryl® foam) and Neo Sailing Technologies.
