Trelleborg Group has committed to creating more sustainable products and technology as part of efforts to cut emissions and reduce carbon emissions in the maritime industry.
In a report titled ‘Serious About Sustainability’, the company said it will focus on three key focus areas, including supply chains from sourcing end-of-life, development of cleantech and premium product design.
This follows “quantitative and qualitative research” from more than 90 organisations from various parts of the sector, such as port owners and operators, engineers, and consultants, the company said.
Richard Hepworth, President of Trelleborg’s marine and infrastructure operation, said the COVID-19 pandemic had made for a “renewed and heightened focus on the environment” and put sustainability high on the agenda for maritime stakeholders, with “reputation and business responsibility” the key factors.
“Climate change presents the single biggest threat to sustainable development in the marine and infrastructure industries,” Hepworth explained.
“Action is needed. However, with increasing stakeholder expectations and regulations – such as the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Greenhouse Gas Strategy 2050 – the maritime industry finds itself at a pivotal point in the debate around sustainability.
“As the conversation continues to grow in both volume and reach, so do initiatives, such as the World Ports Sustainability Program, the Environmental Ship Index and the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“Our new research report reveals exactly how the maritime sector is responding and provides insights and analysis into the way ahead.”