Dassault Systèmes Supports “The Ocean Cleanup” Project

2023 Author: Hannah Pearcy | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-11-26 11:39

Dassault Systèmes is committed to cleaning up the oceans. Andreas Barth, Managing Director Euro Central of the company, presented a check for € 25,000 to Boyan Slat, the founder and CEO of "The Ocean Cleanup" as part of this year's 3D Experience Forum in Berlin. The project develops technologies to remove plastic from the oceans. Dassault Systèmes has been funding The Ocean Cleanup since 2013.

Simple barrier can clean ocean

The Ocean Cleanup wants to build a many-kilometer-long, V-shaped barrier where the garbage collects and is moved towards the center of the V by the movement of water. The plastic parts are concentrated in this center so that they can be removed from the water by a scoop. In addition to the barrier, the overall system includes a collection station for the plastic parts and, above all, a complex anchoring technique. The Dassault Systèmes Solidworks design software is used to build these systems.

Models show that a 100 km barrier will be able to clean 50% of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch in less than ten years. A ship can head for the collector at regular intervals, empty it and bring the plastic ashore where it is recycled. Slat has calculated that the proceeds of the recycling material can bear the operating costs of the plant. “With our products and solutions, we want to help us live in harmony with nature. That's why Dassault Systèmes is committed to sustainability,”says Andreas Barth. That is why the company promoted The Ocean Cleanup early on.

Plastic in the sea endangers nature and people

Experts estimate that 6.4 million tons of plastic end up in the oceans every year. This plastic disintegrates into small parts over time and becomes increasingly dangerous for the environment. Birds and marine animals eat these particles and die on them. In this way, toxins such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) or bisphenol A could also enter the food chain. (kj)