T2.1 MATERIAL PROCESSING AND CIRCULARITY FOR SHIPBUILDING aimed to understand major impacts in the ship life cycle and mapping of circular practices to improve sustainability.

The main achievements of the Task are listed below:

• Successful submission of D2.1 in M14

• Input database: “Inventory of shipbuilding materials and Processes assessment”

• Circularity strategies: End-of-Life Management, Recovery Strategies, Strategic Roadmapping for Vessels Use Cases

• Guidelines for the Material Passport in Shipbuilding (Ship Digital Passport)

In relation to Deliverable D2.1: “Material Processing and Ship Lifecycle Procedures Assessment”, this report assesses the environmental impacts associated with shipbuilding materials and processes across the full vessel’s lifecycle, from construction to end-of-life. While operational emissions have traditionally been the focus of sustainability efforts in the maritime sector, this report highlights the growing importance of non-operational impacts such as material selection, manufacturing processes, waste generation, and recyclability. The assessment is based on two representative case studies: a composite yacht and a steel container ship. Through shipyard process analysis and detailed material inventories, the study identifies key environmental hotspots and evaluates the recyclability of major material streams, with particular attention to the challenges posed by thermoset composite materials. The report reviews current end-of-life strategies for composite boats, including recycling, recovery, reuse, and repurposing, and places them within the framework of the European waste hierarchy and circular economy principles. Existing and emerging recycling technologies (mechanical, thermal, and chemical) are compared in terms of technological maturity, environmental performance, and economic feasibility. Finally, it introduces design-for-circularity approaches, such as design for disassembly and the adoption of Material Passports, to support improved traceability and recovery of materials. The deliverable provides a foundation for subsequent life cycle assessments and strategic road mapping activities within the ESY project, contributing to the development of more sustainable and circular shipbuilding practices.

The work carried out also served as input for Deliverable D2.2, which was delivered in M24, and for Deliverable D2.3, scheduled for delivery in M32.

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation program under grant agreement no. 101138730. UK participation in EcoShipYard Project is funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) under the UK government’s Horizon Europe guarantee [grant-number 10120898].