AIMPLAS, the Plastics Technology Centre, joins forces in the groundbreaking REFEST project, which aims to retrofit traditional fishing fleets with innovative, low-cost technologies to significantly reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
Image Credit: AIMPLAS
Launched on May 1, 2024, and funded under the EU Mission "Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030," the REFEST project seeks to develop scalable solutions capable of reducing emissions by up to 40%. The project focuses on retrofit requirements for fishing vessels, environmental and biodiversity impact assessments, battery design and sensor integration, and economic and social evaluations.
The technologies developed will be practical, easily deployable, and economically sustainable, making a significant impact on small fishing fleets.
The REFEST consortium comprises 14 experienced academic and industrial partners from 10 countries, including Italy, Spain, Turkey, Lithuania, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, France, Germany, and Poland. This diverse group brings together multidisciplinary expertise from the maritime, scientific, technological, and industrial sectors to develop concrete and innovative solutions.
As a key partner, AIMPLAS contributes its expertise in materials research and innovation, ensuring the project's success in meeting European environmental standards. AIMPLAS will play a key role in two separate areas.
On the one hand, AMPLAS aims to improve fibre-reinforced composites currently used in the marine industry to produce hull appendages. To accomplish this objective, a commercially available thermoplastic resin will be modified to reduce the effect of seawater ageing in composites and increase the compatibility of the manufactured composite with the selected paintings and coatings. Additionally, and in collaboration with the project’s partners CALSENS and RISE, AIMPLAS will integrate optical and piezoelectric sensors in the proposed composites, so that a range of pre-defined variables, such as the hydrodynamic pressure or the mechanical performance, can be measured in real-time.
On the other hand, AIMPLAS will develop novel thermoplastic composites, in UD-Tape format, specifically formulated to produce battery box components and comply with the standards governing the marine industry, particularly those regarding fire protection and electromagnetic interference.
The Consortium members are KU (Klaipeda University) - Project Coordinator, RISE (Research Institutes of Sweden), MIR (Morski Instytut Rybacki), AIMPLAS, ELKON, RINA Consulting, TUCO, ENCO Srl, NXH, BLUENAV, CALSENS, EAS Batteries GmbH, GEMI Boats Scandinavia AS and LFPA (Lithuanian Fisheries Producers Association).
Currently, the partners are engaged in technical activities to develop the final solutions that will enable them to achieve the project’s goals. These efforts include designing and testing innovative technologies to improve the energy efficiency of fishing vessels and collaborating with local fleets to ensure practical and adaptable solutions.
In addition to its core technical activities, the REFEST project has initiated important networking activities and synergies with other EU-funded initiatives in the maritime and environmental sectors. These collaborations are expected to enhance the impact of the REFEST solutions and foster further innovation through the exchange of knowledge, technologies, and best practices.
REFEST represents a concrete example of the European Union's commitment to integrating technological innovation with environmental sustainability. The project aims not only to improve the efficiency of vessels but also to protect marine ecosystems for future generations.
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Programme under Grant Agreement No. 101157663.
