Boat transport and boat storage have become routine parts of the marine industry. Whether vessels are being moved between locations, prepared for seasonal storage, or protected while undergoing service and refit work, the need to safeguard boats from the elements is constant. Increasingly, these services are also being requested directly by owners who want to ensure their vessels remain in the best possible condition when not in use.
Traditionally, shrink wrapping has been a simple and effective way to protect boats during transport or storage. However, the environmental impact of single-use plastics has become a growing concern for the industry. As sustainability becomes a more prominent priority across marine businesses, boatyards and service providers are looking for practical alternatives that maintain performance while reducing environmental impact.
Recognising this shift, BLA (Boating Lifestyle Adventure) has introduced a new product line into the Australian market that addresses both needs.
Bioaqualife is an environmentally friendly shrink wrap system designed specifically for protection during storage and transportation, offering the durability expected from traditional shrink wrap while significantly improving environmental outcomes.
Importantly, Bioaqualife is not a cosmetic wrap designed to alter the appearance of a vessel.
Instead, it is a protection wrap developed to shield boats from weather, dust and environmental exposure while they are stored or transported. For marine professionals who regularly prepare vessels for shipping, winter storage or yard work, this type of protective solution has become an essential tool of the trade.
Founded in 2023, bioaqualife® is a company focused on developing innovative biodegradable plastic alternatives for a range of industries including marine, construction, agriculture and packaging. The company’s goal is to create performance products that deliver the same strength and reliability as conventional materials while dramatically reducing their long-term environmental footprint.
One of the key differentiators of the bioaqualife products is how the material behaves once it reaches landfill conditions. Unlike conventional plastics that can remain in the environment for decades, bioaqualife materials attract microbes which begin to digest the material. As this process occurs, the molecular structure breaks down into soil and natural gases, leaving no microplastics behind. This microbial digestion process represents a significant step forward in addressing the environmental challenges associated with single-use plastics.
For the marine sector, bioaqualife has developed its shrinkwrap, designed specifically to protect vessels exposed to the elements during off-season storage or while in transit. The wrap is strong, durable, biodegradable and recyclable, ensuring it performs the core protective function required by marine operators while supporting more sustainable practices.
The scale of the issue globally highlights why innovations like this matter. In the United States alone, almost 42 million kgs of shrink wrap are used annually for boats, with the majority eventually ending up in landfill. By using a material that breaks down through microbial consumption, the environmental impact of this necessary protective process can be significantly reduced.
BLA’s Australian distribution of the Bioaqualife range includes three complementary products designed to work together as a complete wrapping solution.
The Bioaqualife shrinkwrap itself forms the primary protective layer. Developed using a unique biodegradable methodology, the wrap delivers the strength required for secure coverage while reducing plastic waste once its job is complete.
Supporting the wrap is Bioaqualife biodegradable tape, designed to provide strong adhesion during storage or transportation while also breaking down naturally over time. The tape offers a sustainable alternative to conventional plastic tapes and helps maintain the integrity of the wrap during handling and movement.
Completing the system are Bioaqualife zipped access doors, which allow convenient entry to wrapped vessels without compromising protection. Available in several sizes, including heavy-duty double-sewn 18 mil options, the access doors provide durable and practical access points for technicians, surveyors or owners while maintaining the overall integrity of the wrap.
The full Bioaqualife range is available through BLA in a variety of sizes and weights, giving marine businesses flexibility to select the most appropriate solution for vessels of different shapes and sizes.
As the marine industry continues to balance operational efficiency with environmental responsibility, solutions such as Bioaqualife demonstrate that practical sustainability is achievable. Protecting vessels during storage and transport will always remain necessary, but doing so in a way that reduces environmental impact is simply smart.
Watch what Louis Diaz from Bioaqualife had to say.
For more information, contact your BLA rep or visit the BLA website HERE and search for “Bioaqualife”
