ispo hands out 2010 awards for eco responsibility

Sustainable production and operation has become an important issue throughout the sporting goods industry. The presentation of the second ispo Eco Responsibility Awards not only focused on the ecological aspects of the products, the jury also examined the sustainability of the overall manufacturing concept. The entries were evaluated according to key ESPA criteria set by TU Munich in cooperation with internationally accredited experts. They include the following areas: logistics, production, eco-compatibility, application, company culture, and CSR. From each of the categories Hardware Ski, Hardware Snowboard, Accessories and Fabrics & Fibers the jury selected one extraordinary product innovation, and due to the overwhelming variety and quality of the entries two winners in the category Textile. The Footwear category did not yield a product satisfying the high ecological standards of the award, thus this year no prize will be awarded in this category.

Winner Hardware Ski – Völkl Amaruq eco

Hall A5. 302

The “Amaruq eco” is a series-production-ready concept ski built on the “wood only” principle, and features an impressive percentage of recycling materials. Völkl’s new touring ski is almost entirely produced from FSC-certified wood sourced from local forests. A technical highlight is the complete elimination of conventional fiberglass bracing. It was replaced by a special composition of various layers of wood veneer – without compromising any of the skis functionality or performance. The running surface of the “Amaruq eco” is made of 100% recycled surface components, so-called regranulate; the edges are made of 60% recycled steel. A unique feature of the AMARUQ eco’s production is how the components are adhered: instead of using conventional epoxy the company uses a bio-resin made from sustainable resources. Yet Völkl goes even a step further, the environmental aspect does not stop with the ski but extends to the packaging: the AMARUQ eco is delivered in a special bag made of bio-degradable natural fibers. Each elaborately produced ski bears the mark “Made in Germany” on a plaque with embossed serial number. The ski was designed as a sophisticated touring model with a high degree of environmental awareness, and its dimensions position it between Freeride and alpine ski models.

Jury Statement: With the touring ski Amaruq Eco Völkl proves that sustainability and technical leadership are not exclusive. The production at the Straubing factory satisfies the highest requirements on the technical level as well as from an ecological point of view, and also represents exemplary characteristics in terms of logistics, material selection, energy supply, as well as company culture in the production of sports equipment.

Winner Hardware Snowboard – Atomic Poacher Premium Renu

Hall A1. 210

Atomic impressed the jury with its eco-friendly split board. The touring snowboard is made with a poplar wood core and specially bonded ash wood. A portion of the fiberglass content was replaced with layers of jute, which is not only sustainable but also lighter. The design is applied with waterbased top-coat lacquer. It takes only three minutes to put the two board parts together to form an agile Freeride board, able to keep up with the performance of conventional snowboards. Jury Statement: With top marks in all areas Atomic shows that modern, highly functional sports equipment can be manufactured sustainably without compromising on function or design. The wellthought- out overall concept from logistics to CSR is a role model not only for the sporting goods industry.

Winner Accessories – Edelrid Kite

Hall A5. 328

The climbing rope “Kite” was developed for advanced athletic requirements and conforms to the strict bluesign standard. The rope is also ultra-light, very supple and features a small diameter. Jury Statement: Edelrid, which is a part of Vaude, has internalized its parent’s sustainability concept and offers impressive solutions for the entire chain of production. Incidentally, the Kite rope is proof of the ability of sustainable products to more than match competing products in regards to function and safety.

Winner Textile – Pyua Climate 2L Padded Man Jacket and Pants

Hall B1. 502

Pyua will impress eco-conscious Freeriders with its jacket and pants combination “Climate 2L Padded”. Like all of the brand’s apparel the jacket and pants are made exclusively from recycled material and are also fully recyclable. The use of Sympatex membranes ensures the technical functionality. All materials are produced without toxic poly-tetrafluorethylene, better known as Teflon. The outfit features organic, rounded pattern, and Pyua’s color selection of rather muted shades was inspired by nature. Jury Statement: Pyua, still one of the younger brands, continues to implement a consequent and targeted sustainability concept. Consumers can look forward to a fashionable product with an attractive look, guaranteeing the highest level of functionality as well as skin tolerance thanks to the use of PTFE-free Sympatex membrane, and the garments are fully recyclable.

Winner Textile (2) – Patagonia W´s R3 HiLoft Hoody

Hall A1. 315D / Hall B5. 110

The fleece jacket “W´s R3 HiLoft” is one of many eco-friendly products manufactured by the Canadians: it is made almost entirely of recycled and recyclable Polartec materials. In addition, the light weight, warm jacket is bluesign certified. This means that the production process was evaluated to determine the use of resources, level of consumer protection, water and air pollution, and working conditions. The jury was not only impressed by the jacket, but also by Patagonia’s long-time continuing, successful overall concept. Jury Statement: For many years Patagonia has been proof that a sustainable overall concept for the entire production chain is feasible. The R3 HiLoft Jacket is no exception and impressed us with its high degree of function, well-though-out design, and excellent solutions for sustainable production.

Winner Fabrics & Fibers – Lenzing Fibers Tencel

Hall B6. 305

Austrian textile manufacturer Lenzing Fibers distinguishes itself thanks to an integral sustainability concept extending from raw materials, use of resources, to electro mobility in company facilities. Representative of this overall concept the jury presents the Eco Responsibility Award in the category Fabrics & Fibers to the “Tencel” fiber. “Tencel” is made of Eucalyptus cellulose and is used, for example, in t-shirts as an alternative to cotton. The advantage of Eucalyptus is fast growth and low use of water and growing space. Lenzing guarantees that the plants are grown without genetic engineering and use of pesticides. Last but not least, the “Tencel” fiber is bio-degradable, characteristic for genuine, eco-friendly bio-fibers. Jury Statement: Lenzing retains a leading position in the textile industry thanks to its exceptional sustainability concept. The integral concept extends to all evaluated segments, from raw materials, the use of resources to electro-mobility in company facilities.

More information on the ispo Eco Responsibility Award and all other ispo Awards is available at www.ispo.com

About Messe München International (MMI)

Managing close to 40 trade expositions for industrial, consumer goods, and new technology, Messe München International (MMI) is one of the world’s leading exposition companies. More than 30,000 exhibitors from over 100 countries, and more than two million visitors from over 200 countries participate in the Munich-based events every year. In addition, MMI manages trade expositions in Asia, Russia, the Mid East, and South America. MMI operates a global network with six foreign subsidiaries in Europe and Asia, as well as 64 foreign representations, covering more than 90 countries worldwide. As an internationally active company, Messe München International is dedicated to endorsing sustainability and environmental protection.

More information at www.messe-muenchen.de