Plastic canal boat launched

AN INNOVATIVE plastic canal boat has been produced.

The Bradford company Formation Plastics has designed and launched its new HDPE canal boat on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, Janet Friend reports.

High density polyethylene

Formation Plastics, a plastics fabrication company has launched its first High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) canal boat on the waterway at Rodley, with a spokesman for the company relating:

"HDPE is an incredibly resilient material, Unlike traditional materials such as steel or wood, HDPE is resistant to corrosion, doesn't rust and is highly impact resistant.

"For canal boats, which spend prolonged periods in water, this material offers a range of advantages. It’s easy to clean, requires minimal upkeep and allows boat owners to focus on enjoying their time on the water, rather than constant maintenance."

The company tells that 'getting our first boat into the water is a huge accomplishment for us. It validates all the hard work we’ve put into the project and proves that our concept works in real-world conditions.'

This first boat is wide beam, with the company now working on a narrowboat.