11 October 2024

1000 Brussels, Belgium

rue Joseph II 99

DG MARE premises

Network of stakeholders on end-of-life recreational boats and composites

Network of stakeholders on end-of-life recreational boats and composites

Following the successful “EU dialogue on end-of-life recreational craft” event organised on 18th March 2024 in Brussels by the Belgian Presidency of the European Council, European Commission (Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries) and European Boating Industry (EBI) and the publication of the “Roadmap on the implementation of the circular economy for end-of-life recreational boats”, developed by EBI following the work of the Stakeholders’ Group on end-of-life recreational boats set up in 2018 by the European Commission.

We would like to invite you to the next meeting of the “Network of stakeholders on end-of-life recreational boats and composites” that will take place on Friday 11th October 2024 in Brussels and online.

By establishing this Network of stakeholders, the European Commission and EBI will build on the work undertaken by the Stakeholders’ Group on end-of-life recreational boats set up in 2018 and enlarge the network with stakeholders who are facing similar challenges related to composite material use and end-of-life and therefore are logical partners in driving forward recycling solutions of composite materials at their end-of-life and end-of-use. 

Therefore, we would like to invite you to be part of this Network where besides sharing best practices and lessons learned as regards the management of end-of-life recreational boats and composite materials, discussions will also focus on the steps that are needed to move towards a circular economy of composite materials, challenges as regards the dismantling and preparation for re-use or recycling of recreational boats or other outstanding legal, policy or finance issues.

We are looking forward to welcoming to the 1st meeting of the Network of Stakeholders and working together towards a common EU approach and effective solutions for the end-of-life of recreational boats and composite materials.

Agenda

Welcome by Andreea Strachinescu, DG MARE Head of Unit , Unit A1: Maritime Innovation, Marine Knowledge and Investment

Presentation of the “Roadmap on the implementation of the circular economy for end-of-life recreational boats" by Philip Easthill (Secretary General, European Boating Industry)

Brainstorming on objectives and structure for the Network

Practical presentations:

Composite recycling LCA study by Thomas Wegman (Board member, EuCIA)

Circular Maritime Technologies (CMT) circular process for the ship dismantling industry by Frank Geerdink (Founder-CEO of CMT)

Finnish study by Henna Rinne (Senior Specialist, Finnish Ministry of the Environment)

Belgian roadmap towards the end-of life recreational craft and composites by Luc Wittebolle (Environmental Services Consultant, SuMa Sustainable Market Consulting)

Tour de table :

Participants are invited to share their best practices and lessons learned as regards the management of end-of-life recreational boats and composite materials

Welcome coffee and light lunch will be provided.

EC MARE

Alena Petrikovicova