INEOS Britannia is a success story made in Britain

Dear Editor,

INEOS Britannia’s recent wins against Emirates Team New Zealand in the American’s Cup final give us reasons to be cheerful about British sport ahead of today’s races. Whether INEOS Britannia wins the world’s oldest international sporting trophy or not, the team has already made history by becoming the first British crew to compete for the America’s Cup since 1964. This success is also an embodiment of British manufacturing excellence.

The INEOS Britannia sailing boat features bespoke lightweight structural components designed and manufactured by Renishaw in the UK. Several parts, including the bowsprit end detail, flap fairings and outhaul sheave box, were 3D-printed in South West England using Renishaw’s metal additive manufacturing (AM) systems manufactured in South Wales.

This made-in-Britain technology eliminated the waste associated with traditional subtractive methods in line with the America’s Cup’s sustainability commitments. In addition, INEOS Britannia used recycled carbon from British-based recovery plant, ELG Carbon Fibre.

The special rotary sensors integrated into the boat’s helm controls are another example of British ingenuity. Engineers at Renishaw had to work rapidly to miniaturise the encoders to minimise size and weight in accordance with the shared sustainability goals written into the America’s Cup rules.

Whether or not INEOS Britannia wins the America’s Cup, the team’s success demonstrates what British manufacturing is still capable of achieving.  This success reminds us that home-grown engineering is critical to advancing innovation and sustainability and deserves more support — beyond sporting events.

Chris Pockett

Head of Communications

Renishaw plc

New Mills, Wotton-under-Edge, Gloucestershire GL12 8JR

M: +44 7887 833391

chris.pockett@renishaw.com