SailGP forms partnership with sustainable rope manufacturer Marlow

SailGP has announced a collaboration with world-leading high-performance rope manufacturer Marlow Ropes © Eloi Stichelbaut for SailGP

Global league to use Marlow's eco-conscious rope range through 2022

SailGP has announced a collaboration with world-leading high-performance rope manufacturer Marlow Ropes. Producer of the most environmentally responsible ropes on the market, Marlow will serve as Official Rope Supplier to the global league and will feature onboard SailGP's innovative race boats through 2022.

Marlow Ropes shares SailGP's Race for the Future vision - helping to accelerate change and create a more sustainable future. Over the last two years, Marlow has been integral in pushing for greater change in the rope industry and to improve its manufacturing process, focusing on sourcing sustainable and bio-based materials, reducing waste and lowering its carbon footprint.

Marlow Ropes will supply SailGP with high-performing lines from its new eco-conscious ranges, including the bio-based Dyneema® fiber for use onboard the high-speed F50 foiling catamarans and Blue Ocean® dock lines made from 100 percent recycled waste from plastic bottles - a first in the industry - to aid docking logistics.

Spain SailGP Team helmed by Phil Robertson leads the fleet at the start of a practice race ahead of Sydney SailGP - photo © Lloyd Images for SailGP

Known as the world's strongest and lightest fiber - five times stronger than steel yet floats on water - Dyneema is used in many of Marlow's highest-performance ropes. Bio-based Dyneema fiber has identical technical characteristics and performance as conventional Dyneema, but has a reduced reliance on fossil fuels, using feedstock from waste in the pulp and timber industry as its primary raw material.

Marlow's Blue Ocean dock lines have achieved global recognition within the marine industry and provide an eco-alternative to standard polyester ropes, while still offering industry-leading strength and stretch performance. The rope is made from yarn manufactured from recycled waste plastic bottles, with 7.5 bottles incorporated in every meter* of Blue Ocean dock line.

SailGP CEO Sir Russell Coutts said: "Not only is Marlow Ropes an industry leader, but they share our passion for sustainable innovation. Their products provide the impeccable quality needed to help power our race boats, and they are achieving that in an environmentally responsible manner. This is a key part of the marine industry's future and we're proud to help promote the acceleration of change through this important partnership."

Marlow Leisure Marine Director Paul Honess said: "It is important to us at Marlow that we take responsibility to become more sustainable and we have worked hard over the last couple of years to eliminate plastics from our ranges, lower our carbon footprint and introduce sustainable materials. Over half of our leisure marine range is now made using sustainable materials and we are getting closer to achieving our target of using 100 percent recycled materials by 2030. We are excited to work with SailGP and use its global platform to raise awareness and showcase sustainable solutions in the marine industry and beyond."

Find out how SailGP will Race for the Future here.

* Based on 16mm diameter

ABOUT SAILGP // SailGP is racing redefined. Established in 2018 and headquartered in London and New York, SailGP is an annual, global sports championship featuring bold, cutting-edge technology and awe-inspiring athleticism. The fan-centric, inshore racing that is powered by nature takes place in some of the most iconic harbors around the globe and offers the sport's largest monetary prize of $1 million. Rival national teams battle it out in identical supercharged F50 catamarans, engineered for intense racing at electrifying speeds exceeding 50 knots (nearly 60 mph/100 kph). Visit SailGP.com for more information.

MARLOW ROPES LTD // Marlow Ropes Ltd are a privately owned British manufacturer of specialist synthetic fibre ropes and assemblies. Their UK factory in Hailsham, East Sussex boasts a wide range of rope making capabilities and technologies and they distribute around the world across industries as diverse as Defence, Leisure Marine, Aboriculture, Rope Access, Vehicle Recovery and Lifting. They have their own sales and distribution company in the USA. Visit www.marlowropes.com for more information.