A New Life for Old Nets
Founded in 2016, Fishy Filaments tackles a significant environmental issue: the disposal of old fishing nets. Each year, approximately 200,000 tonnes of these nets are burned, buried, or discarded at sea, posing a threat to marine life and contributing to CO2 emissions. Fishy Filaments' innovative solution not only addresses this problem but also provides an eco-friendly alternative by converting these nets into virtually carbon-free marine nylon.
Local Impact and Global Ambitions
Operating out of Newlyn, Cornwall, Fishy Filaments has already made significant strides. By offering a zero-cost recycling solution to local fishing fleets, the company helps fishermen save on disposal costs while reducing the volume of nets sent to landfills or incineration. Their transportable processing plants, which fit into a 40ft container and require only water and power to operate, are designed to be deployed in remote parts of the world, making recycling accessible even in unregulated areas.
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| Re-cycling station. |
The company's vision extends beyond Cornwall. Falconer envisions a future where fishermen globally can recycle their nets locally, creating new income streams and reducing environmental impact. These plants are a potential game-changer, with the capability to displace up to 2 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent emitted by the production of new Nylon 6 each year.
From Fishing Nets to High-Value Products
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| carbon fibre reinforced filaments and powders |
The recycled materials produced by Fishy Filaments are already in high demand. Companies like Philips Lighting and BMW are trialing these materials, recognizing their potential in advanced engineering and manufacturing. The next step in Fishy Filaments’ journey involves advancing their product line, including the development of 0rCA® carbon fibre reinforced filaments and powders. These products, optimised for Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) 3D printing, represent a significant leap forward in performance and sustainability.
A Future with Global Impact
Fishy Filaments is scaling up its operations to meet growing demand. With a £126,000 loan from SWIG Finance and a nearly £50,000 grant from Cornwall Council’s Growth Hub, the company is building the first modules of its automated fishing net recycling plant prototype. This plant aims to increase raw material production to 20 tonnes per annum within the next year, scaling up to 50 tonnes annually.
The long-term goal is ambitious yet attainable: to sell their chemical-free recycling plants to NGOs, local governments, and entrepreneurs worldwide. This network of production centres in coastal communities would deliver economic, social, and environmental benefits on a global scale, potentially generating towards £100 million per year for these communities and transforming the global recycled monofilament fishing net market.
Investors and environmentally conscious individuals interested in supporting this innovative solution can find more information about the Fishy Filaments Crowdcube campaign here.
Fishy Filaments is not just a business; it’s a movement towards a sustainable future, transforming waste into high-value products and turning an environmental problem into a global opportunity. Join the Crowdcube campaign and be part of this revolutionary journey.
