Circular economy at the shipyard for the first time: AIDA Cruises recycles 45,700 square meters of carpeting
45,700 square meters – the equivalent of more than six soccer pitches. This is how much carpeting was removed from AIDAdiva during the shipyard period and recycled sustainably.
Instead of disposing of the old materials, AIDA Cruises has opted for complete reuse and recycling for the first time – and will reuse recycled carpeting during AIDAluna’s next shipyard period.
AIDAdiva is the first ship to be extensively modernized as part of the AIDA Evolution future initiative. In addition to a large number of technical upgrades, sustainable measures were also implemented – including innovative carpet recycling. Together with Hamburg-based Oceancircle GmbH, a process was developed in which used carpet materials, curtains and canopy fabrics are given a second life.
“The special thing is that we don’t simply throw away this large amount of carpet waste, but have found a way to recycle it,” explains Marc Spingler, Director Hotel Maintenance Dry Docks & Refit at AIDA Cruises. “The recycling of carpets is a pilot project that we launched together with Oceancircle more than three years ago. Today, we can proudly say that we have taken an important step towards conserving resources and reducing waste. We see great potential for the future.”
The carpet material is coarsely shredded in a shredding plant directly on site at the Marseille shipyard and is transported via a conveyor belt to a briquetting press, which reduces the volume by a further 90 percent. These briquettes are then further processed into a so-called volume fleece. This can be used as a base product for e.g. insulation material and as a carpet carpet pad. Recycled old carpets, as well as old curtains and canopies from the cabins of the AIDA ships, are used in the production of the voluminous fleece.
“We are particularly proud that we will be using these carpet underlays, which are made from the material from AIDAdiva, on AIDAluna during the next shipyard period in fall 2025. This closes the circle,” Marc Spingler continues. “We are already thinking about producing other products for our ships from the recycled material, such as door plates or coat hangers.”
Carpet recycling is part of a comprehensive program that AIDA Cruises is pursuing to achieve an improved circular economy. The pilot project launched jointly by AIDA and Oceancircle shows that recycling is not only sustainable, but also economically viable in the long term.
Not only the removal, but also the laying of new floor coverings on board AIDAdiva has been made more sustainable. A new type of carpeting that is 100% recyclable and allergy-friendly was used throughout the crew area and reception. The material is made from ECONYL® yarn from the company Aquafil and is produced by the Italian manufacturer Radici. These carpets are designed to be completely dismantled so that Aquafil can recycle them at the end of their useful life. In this way, the parts made from ECONYL® nylon are recovered and recycled by Aquafil into new nylon fibers. The other components are fed into other recycling streams.
ECONYL® regenerated nylon is 100% recycled yarn made from plastic waste such as fishing nets, fabric scraps and old carpets.
(Circular economy at the shipyard for the first time: AIDA Cruises recycles 45,700 square meters of carpeting)
