11 Feb 2021
Thalgo sponsors pioneering ocean-cleaning ship powered by renewable energy
BY Megan Whitby
French marine skincare brand Thalgo has announced a partnership with The SeaCleaners, a sustainability organisation passionate about combatting ocean pollution and reducing plastic waste.
SeaCleaners is in the process of realising a revolutionary ship called the Manta, designed to collect, compact and recycle marine pollution with a minimal environmental footprint.
Manta will become the first seagoing vessel capable of collecting and treating a constant flow of plastic macro-waste floating on the ocean surface, via a pioneering onboard factory.
Thanks to the support of a host of sponsors including Thalgo, ship construction will begin in 2022 and be completed in 2024.
Founded in 2016, SeaCleaners is the brain-child of Franco-Swiss explorer and environmentally active sailor, Yvan Bourgnon.
Bourgnon is passionate about protecting the oceans and states that SeaCleaners’ aim “is to fight on both land and sea through corrective preventive missions” to minimise marine plastic pollution.
The 55-metre ship will be energy self-sufficient and fuelled by a combination of hydropower and solar and wind energy.
Bourgnon explained that when there’s not enough sun or wind, fuel will even be generated by pyrolysis – the process of converting plastic waste into energy.
In 2021, SeaCleaners also plans to launch two small-sized collector boats will be tested for use in shallow waters in either a calm port and river area or coastal waters.
Thalgo's collaboration with SeaCleaners exemplifies its dedication to creating responsible blue beauty products, all while protecting the sea and its precious biodiversity.
Marian Harvey, Thalgo’s UK MD, said: “Thalgo was born of the oceans and has always been involved in protecting the environment and the ocean depths – we’re so excited to announce this exciting partnership.”
As part of the new commitment, Thalgo will extend support to drive SeaCleaners wider three-fold sustainability action plan, including The Manta.
This strategy involves both companies working together to conduct vast waste collection operations on marine coastlines, river shores, beaches and riverbanks, and actively raise awareness of plastic pollution via campaigns and educational toolkits.
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