Monaco, October 2025 — Ansell is proud to join forces with the TU Delft Hydro Motion Team, sponsoring its cutting-edge sustainable boating project: A foiling boat powered by liquid hydrogen. The team, made up of 25 students at Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands, is united by a mission to drive the maritime industry towards a more sustainable future.
Ansell provided a diverse range of gloves to the students, allowing the team to take on the multi-faceted risks of boatbuilding. This immense effort culminated in the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge (MEBC) 2025, a nautical competition judged on innovation, sustainability and performance. Ansell's support helped propel the team to a second-place finish in the SeaLab Class, a competition that tests participants in naval architecture and craftsmanship.
“We reached out to Ansell in November 2024 for its expertise and safety solutions, which enabled the team to prioritise safety while realizing their ambitious technological goals,” said Mees Ijzerman, Partnership Coordinator for TU Delft Hydro Motion Team. “Ansell supplied specialised gloves tailored for mechanical assembly, chemical handling, and electrical protection, vital for protecting students throughout the build and testing phases.”
The hydrogen-powered boat, measuring approximately 7.25 m × 2.20 m, boasts a lightweight carbon-fiber hull and three adjustable hydrofoils for maximum efficiency. Key technical features include a 40 kW fuel cell, a cryogenic liquid hydrogen tank with advanced insulation, and an integrated power system with a battery buffer for energy management.
The team delivered an impressive performance:
- 1st Place in the Endurance Challenge
- 2nd Place in the Speed Challenge
- 3rd Place in the Manoeuvrability Challenge
These strong results secured an overall 2nd place finish. Ansell products used in the boatbuilding included HyFlex™ 11-571, TouchNTuff™ 92-600, ActivArmr™ Electrical Insulating Gloves Class 0 - RIG014Y, and AlphaTec™ 58-005.
“This collaboration illustrates how academic innovation and industry support can converge to advance sustainable solutions,” said Patrick Roos, Key Account Specialist Distribution at Ansell Benelux. “The team's success underscores the viability of liquid hydrogen in marine applications and highlights Ansell's role in enabling safe, forward-thinking engineering.”
ENDS