Washington Business Summer 2015 | Page 33

washington business “The OceanGate Foundation is all about using manned subs to inspire youth to go into STEM areas. We want to open kids’ eyes to the ocean and let them see that the future of exploration is not all about going into space, but that there are exciting opportunities and careers under water.” — Stockton Rush, CEO of OceanGate Wood is currently part of a team working for the Port of Port Angeles to help develop a spin-off from the DOE’s institute he helped the state prepare as a consultant to develop a Composites Recycling Technology Center. This is welcome news for an industry that on the one hand helps the environment by reducing the weight of components and thereby lowering emissions and fossil fuel usage, yet also produces byproducts during the manufacturing process that are not good landfill material. Others are working on the challenge — and making strides. “Boeing is investing a lot of time into finding ways to repurpose carbon fiber byproducts — making sure we understand how to recycle and reuse the material and protect the environment,” Lindblad said. “Boeing is looking at different ways to essentially take the solid format and chop it down or grind it up to different shapes to be used in other structures.” Some of the byproducts are currently being used to manufacture prosthetics and athletic gear, like football pads for the NFL. Share your business with top decision makers in Washington state. Washington Business magazine is distributed to more than 8,000 subscribers ranging from