LEGO bioplastic bricks, castor bean coats, world’s first hydrogen powered ferry and carrier ship, and more: The Digest’s Top 10 Innovations for the week of December 20th

December 19, 2019 |

For some, it’s holiday shopping season and now LEGO’s first bioplastic block set is an option! The kit—appropriately designed to make a treehouse—uses sugarcane-based polyethylene. Another great gift Top 10 Innovation from this week is French outerwear company Moncler’s new carbon-neutral jacket made from castor beans. Yes, a coat from castor – the down jacket includes fabric, lining, buttons and zipper made from castor beans.

And for those traveling for the holidays, check out the world’s first liquid hydrogen carrier ship AND the first hydrogen powered ferry – what a week in the bioeconomy!

In today’s Digest, the details on the LEGO bioplastic bricks, castor bean coats, world’s first hydrogen powered ferry and carrier ship, and more – and it’s ready for you now at The Digest online.

#1 Norled and SCHOTTEL debut the World’s First Hydrogen-Powered Ferry

In Germany, Norwegian ferry operator Norled has developed the first ferry in the world to be powered by liquid hydrogen, an incredible milestone that is made possible by the thrusters developed by SCHOTTEL. Norled has ordered two ferries, one to be powered by a hybrid mix of hydrogen fuel cells and batteries, while the other will be powered by batteries alone. Both ferries are believed to be able to operate at a service speed of 12 knots. Beyond the vessel’s low-emission powertrain, it will also be equipped with course-keeping stability monitors to reduce steering angle corrections, which could be another significant reduction in energy and emissions over time. The technical director at Norled clarified their goal by stating that Norled’s goal is to “create a new icon among eco-friendly ferries. Hydrogen, as a zero-emission fuel, will be the alternative energy for ferry propulsion systems in cases where longer sailing distances are required and charging batteries is not possible.” The vessel, capable of carrying 299 passengers and 80 cars, is expected to start sailing in the spring of 2021.
More on the story, here.

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