Oceanize, ScaleAQ and SinkabergHansen begin collaboration for recertification and re-use of ropes

Norwegian aquaculture annually uses between 5-6,000 tonnes of rope, certified according to NS9415. At the end of certification, recycling through Oceanize has been the solution. With support from Handelens Miljøfond, the company, in collaboration with ScaleAQ and SinkabergHansen, will investigate the possibilities of reusing the plastic before it is recycled.

- Many people automatically think of recycling and cleaning when they hear the words circular economy. But if we are really going to solve the plastic problems, we need to use less plastic too. That is why we are happy to support projects that extend the life of plastic products. Here reuse and the project Gjenta(u) are a good example, says general manager Cecilie Lind of Handelens Miljøfond.

Increased circularity

Circular economy deals with ways to preserve resources in circulation, this is done by recycling, but the gains are even greater with local reuse.

- If the ropes can be re-certified and reused, the need for production and transport of new equipment will be reduced, this could lead to both environmental, climate and financial gains, says Trude Vareide-Giskås, R&D manager at Oceanize

Oceanize recovers all plastic waste from aquaculture and in 2023 will establish its third line for recycling just rope. Nevertheless, the company is not afraid that rope that is reused reduces the amount of rope that goes to recycling. The plastic will be recycled at a later point in time, the day reuse is no longer possible.

- Our goal is to enable sustainable plastic handling, which means that the plastic remains in the circularity and does not disappear through, for example, export or incineration, clarifies Vareide-Giskås.

Big gain

SinkabergHansen sees great potential in being able to re-certify its ropes. So far this year, they have delivered close to 80 tonnes of ropework for recycling. SinkabergHansen wants to be a significant contributor to a transition from today's linear economy to a circular economy.

Circular economy or circular value chains are often divided into reuse, repair and recycling. Through both reuse, repair and recycling, we see a significant positive gain both for the environment, resource use and economy, says Ragnar Sæternes, R&D Coordinator at SinkabergHansen.

Manufacturer's responsibility

The Norwegian Environment Agency has previously issued a recommendation on producer responsibility for plastics used in Norwegian aquaculture and fisheries, which means that the producers are responsible for the products even when they are labeled as waste. In 2021, ScaleAQ delivered approx. 1,300 tonnes of ropework for the aquaculture industry in Norway. Hanne Digre, sustainability director at ScaleAQ, says that this project is in line with the initiative Scale Circular, where work is being done to increase the reuse and recycling of equipment. If this project succeeds in establishing a process for reusing rope, they see it as a positive contribution to the industry by reducing plastic consumption. This is a very important project in the product area of mooring, to show that we have built up a solid regime that takes care of the life extension clauses in NYTEK23, says Håkon Tønne, product manager for mooring at ScaleAQ. As a company, we have always been very keen to deliver products of the highest quality and with a high focus on traceability throughout the value chain. This is how we provide a robust starting point for extending the lifetime of our components when we now enter this project, concludes Håkon Tønne.