In a pioneering step towards sustainable product innovation, Lanka Upcycles has partnered with Phoenix Industries to develop Sri Lanka’s first-ever surf fins made from locally recycled fishing nets.
Driven by Lanka Upcycles’ vision to give discarded ocean waste a new purpose, the project brings together their commitment to ocean conservation with Phoenix’s expertise in product development and manufacturing.
Operating along Sri Lanka’s east coast, Lanka Upcycles sees firsthand the impact of marine waste on coastal communities. For the team, protecting the ocean is more than an environmental ambition; it’s a responsibility to the community and coastline they call home. This project reflects their commitment to finding meaningful ways to clean up Sri Lanka’s beaches and give discarded materials a second life.
For Phoenix Industries, the collaboration aligns closely with its passion for sustainability and recycling. As a Sri Lankan manufacturer, Phoenix believes it has a responsibility to contribute towards a cleaner Sri Lanka, not only through responsible manufacturing but also by finding innovative ways to recover and repurpose plastic waste.
Turning discarded nylon fishing nets into functional surf fins, however, presented a unique technical challenge. The surf fins require specific levels of stiffness, durability and resistance to water absorption. Working closely with Lanka Upcycles, Phoenix’s R&D team spent months researching, testing and refining material formulations and manufacturing processes to achieve the required performance.
The collaboration brought together Lanka Upcycles’ vision and understanding of the surfing community with Phoenix’s expertise in material engineering, product development and manufacturing. Phoenix’s design team also supported the final product presentation with thoughtfully designed packaging.
The fins were launched at Arugambay Surf Champions 2026, in September. The project demonstrates what is possible when a shared commitment to a cleaner Sri Lanka meets the local innovation and manufacturing expertise.
More than a recycling initiative, it is a step towards turning the ocean waste into products of real value, opening new possibilities for circular innovation in Sri Lanka.
