Natalie Lewis
Yuriko Shibata
Erin Stephens
vilde henriksen
The University of Toledo
Gary Insch
Keep this story going! Share below!
Marine Aluminum was established as a company in 1953 and is celebrating its 70th year as a company in 2023. The company houses its operations in Norway and China and employs around 250 employees. The focus of their business is designing, manufacturing, and supplying aluminum products. In 1974, the company delivered its first aluminum Helideck, which is a product used on ships that can transform into helicopter decks. Along with the Helideck, Marine Aluminum produces handrail and walkway systems, FlexiBarrier, stair towers, elevator shafts, modules, and friction stir welded panels.
Marine Aluminium, based in Karmøy, Norway and founded by Aanensen & co, is one of the pioneers of adopting sustainable practices in helicopter deck production. At the heart of their innovation is their strategic use of aluminum, Marine Aluminium also innovating welding methods setting them apart in an industry traditionally dominated by steel. Despite the higher upfront cost of aluminum, the company's focus on efficiency and sustainability has positioned them as pioneers in the field.
A key breakthrough for Marine Aluminium lies in their decision to adopt aluminum for helicopter decks, a choice that brings significant long-term benefits. Implementing an effective recycling system for offcuts has significantly reduced material wastage, not only delivering economic advantages but also reinforcing the company's commitment to reducing environmental impact. Additionally, innovative solutions in production, such as optimizing container use, showcase a holistic approach that prioritizes both cost savings and sustainability.
Marine Aluminium has revolutionized welding methods and techniques. This innovative approach results in particularly strong joints, and their products can withstand more stress and strain. Compared to steel, the traditional material for helicopter decks, the quality of aluminum is maintained over time, as it does not rust and requires less maintenance. The customer benefits from a superior product that is not only more reliable but also more cost-effective in the long run.
Arild Frøkland, the sales director, explained how using aluminum happened by coincidence, but now is the foundation of their business, which shows the company’s positive relationship between profitability and sustainability. As a profit-driven entity, Marine Aluminium gains a competitive edge, contributing significantly to a more sustainable future for maritime operations. In essence, their story is a compelling example of how strategic decisions, such as adopting aluminum for helidecks, can drive positive change in the world, aligning with UN SDGs and advancing environmental responsibility in the maritime industry.
Marine Aluminum’s innovation of using aluminum for their helidecks came about as they needed a reliable and sturdy material that could hold up against any weather and that helicopters could land on in any scenario. Aluminum ended up being the material of choice as it held up better against materials like steel, and was an easier material to use overall. While aluminum was not chosen intentionally for its sustainable benefits, aluminum offered a variety of other benefits compared to other materials, and Marine Aluminum is now ahead of the competition with their sustainability efforts, using a material that is inherently sustainable- as Arlid stated, “We didn’t think from sustainable goal when we started to focus on Aluminum. We started to use Aluminum because it will make an advantage to other rivals by making products not only high quality, but also eco-friendly’’.
Aluminum products last much longer than that of steel, and if steel were used for the helidecks, they would not only need to be replaced more often, but it would also be much more labor and energy intensive to move the steel plates and have them replaced. Arlid also gave us an impressive data fact, letting us know that “70% of the aluminum from the earth is still in circulation”, showing just how durable aluminum is. Arlid also mentioned the life cycle of the material, where aluminum can continuously be melted down and reused and still be of great quality, while materials like steel can only be melted down and put into products of lesser quality than the one it was before.
Aluminum is a much lighter material than steel, making it much easier to work on and transfer, with Marine Aluminum being able to utilize much less energy to transfer the lighter product. Aluminum was also chosen by the company as it does not require paint like steel does, which removes the need for unnecessary chemicals on during production. Marine Aluminum also uses an advanced welding system where they do not waste any parts of the aluminum materials, and can connect multiple separate pieces together instead of only using sheets in one piece, and wasting whatever is not used. Within the building, as well, Marine Aluminum uses a water heating system that uses the water from the ocean that the office is on to heat the building where they use the material, ensuring that every step of the production process is energy efficient and setting themselves apart from the competitors.
The impact of their sustainable business practices creates a long-term competitive advantage because they are inherently more sustainable, and as more and more consumers search for sustainable materials, they will find Marine Aluminum who have been established for 70 years. As sustainability reporting becomes more advanced and more understandable in the future, Marine Aluminum will be able to report their actual emissions and how their cradle-to-cradle approach has been a successful long-term strategy.
Aluminum is easily recyclable, can be melted down again and again, and won’t lose quality. It is a light-weight material that uses less energy to transfer and install. It does not need to be painted, so no harmful chemicals are needed. All in all, aluminum requires less material, less maintenance, and is able to be reintegrated into their products. This creates value for customers interested in both sustainability and product quality.
Beyond ensuring operational safety and environmental responsibility, the company's commitment to using aluminum over steel significantly contributes to sustainability. The focus on aluminum aligns with circular economy principles, given its lower energy requirements for recycling compared to steel, which requires about 10 times more energy. This strategic choice not only benefits the company but also aligns with a cradle-to-cradle lifecycle for aluminum, reflecting a commitment to responsible business practices. The positive impacts ripple across business operations, society, and the environment. Their commitment, rooted in innovation, shows that Marine Aluminum is a sustainable enterprise, with a dual commitment to both profit and purpose.
Marine Aluminums’ commitment to use of renewable energy, in harmony with SDG 7, shines through its innovative use of clean energy sources like water and ocean-based heat pumps. This not only ensures access to sustainable energy but also champions eco-friendly consumption. As the company is celebrating its 70-year journey, the spotlight on clean energy and recyclable aluminum emphasizes a strong commitment to SDG 12's call for sustainable production and SDG 9, which aim to bulid resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation. What's particularly exciting is the scalable nature of Marine Aluminums’ practices, hinting at the potential for even more positive impacts. It's a great example for other businesses to join the sustainability movement and amplify their impact, which related to SDG 17, emphasizing the importance of strengthening the means of implementation and revitalizing the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development. Also, while indirectly related, Marine Aluminum's work in the marine sector may align with SDG 14, which focuses on conserving and sustainably using the oceans, seas, and marine resources, since the infrastructures made by aluminum do not have to do maintenance repeatedly, which is less burden for the ocean.
Get stories of positive business innovations from around the world delivered right to your inbox.
Arild Frøkedal, Sales Director
Marine Aluminum is one of the world’s leading companies in the engineering, design, and fabrication of aluminum structures and products for the offshore and shipbuilding industry. It has particular competence in the fields of material technology, extrusion tooling and welding techniques. The company was established in 1953 and is based in Norway and China, with more than 250 employees.