Sustainability: Catamaran builders – Bali | Yacht Style | Asia's Leading Yachting Lifestyle Media

alt="Sustainability: Catamaran builders – Bali"/>

Bali has earned a reputation for innovation since the brand was founded in 2014

Bali has quickly risen to be among the world’s leading builders of cruising catamarans since launching its first models in 2014 as an offshoot of the Catana Group, which by then had a 30-year history of building performance-focused sailing cats. Today, Bali offers seven sailing models from 40-54ft and now two motor yachts, the first only unveiled internationally in January 2020.

Olivier Poncin, CEO of Catana Group, emphasises that one of Bali’s most underrated strengths is the performance and efficiency of its catamarans, due to hull design and build materials benefiting from Catana’s history. He also says sustainability is growing in importance for both catamaran builders and owners, and that his company’s new bio-membrane generator takes pride of place among its latest innovations.

“I believe progress in naval architecture on one hand and the awareness of ecological needs on the other will lead to important evolutions in the catamaran market. Bali catamarans will become even more comfortable, gain in performance and above all, will be much more environmentally friendly,” Poncin says.

Bali is implementing a submerged membrane bio-reactor on its models

“We are now a pioneer in this field as all our Catana and Bali catamarans will be equipped with a bio-membrane generator that will filter 100 per cent of the grey and black water on board our boats, so more polluting discharge. This is a major step forward.”

Every Bali boat will benefit from not one but two major new features, both designed to be environmentally friendly and improve comfort and safety on board.

Firstly, a special tap-fitted filtration system produces safe drinking water by purifying water from the tank. Originating from medical technology associated with food-grade active carbon filtration, the advanced endotoxin filter removes all bacteria, viruses, particles and macromolecules. It also filters out all organic molecules and chlorine, treats odours, yet conserves minerals.

“Gone are the all the constraints associated with bottles of mineral water that have to be bought, transported, taken aboard, stored somewhere, first full then empty, and finally disposed of,” Poncin says.

The bioreactor sterilises all waste water on board and discharges totally depolluted water

Secondly, every new catamaran is equipped with a remote submerged membrane bioreactor (BAMID), which sterilises all the waste water on board by both bacterial degradation and ultra filtration. This double process allows the discharge of totally depolluted and sterile water.

Operating silently and automatically, the system discharges completely depolluted water into the sea, compatible with MARPOL certification. The system removes the need for holding tanks and the associated constraints of emptying, maintenance and periodic cleaning.

“Everyone knows holding tanks are often full in the wrong places or at the wrong time. Now, there’s also no more risk of bad smells – or unfortunate encounters when swimming around your boat,” Poncin smiles.

“Instead, there’s the satisfaction of not polluting the surrounding waters or marine wildlife, and of accessing areas of high ecological pressure such as nature reserves and parks with the utmost respect for the environment.”