Winners of the ispo Eco Responsibility 2011 awards announced

At ispo 11 the Eco Responsibility Award is presented for the third time as an independent award. The repeatedly high response clearly shows the importance of the topic of Eco Responsibility. Due to an astounding variety of entered products the award categories Hardgoods, Softgoods and Accessories were joined by two new categories. Two additional awards were presented in the categories Company Ecolution and Fabrics & Fibers.

The degree of sustainability was evaluated according to ESPA key criteria, developed by the Technical University Munich in cooperation with international experts. The criteria encompass the following areas: logistics, production, eco-compatibility, company culture, and CSR.



Winner Category Company Ecolution: Vaude Hall B.209

German mountain sports equipment supplier Vaude is a brand with a conscience and its many certifications reflect the company’s high level of eco-consciousness. Vaude and its products embody mountain sports expertise, innovation and the responsible treatment of people and nature.

Thanks to a multitude of innovations, convincing concepts and a clearly holistic principle outdoor manufacturer Vaude has become a leader in the area of sustainability. The brand’s product-overlapping strategy, offering consumers sustainable products of high quality and functionality in all categories, has very much impressed us,” praised the jury.



Winner Hardgoods: Völkl Nawaro Rent Ski – Eco Rental Project Hall A5.302

Völkl approached the rental market segment from an ecological perspective and introduced a particularly resource-conserving concept with its Eco Rental Project and the Nawaro Rent Ski: the Nawaro Rent Ski is made of components made mostly from renewable raw materials, which can be processed in series without major additional technological effort. The use of recycled components or elimination of additional coloring also conserves resources. The rental system related to the Nawaro Rent Ski, the Eco Rental Project, thus is the first pilot project featuring an eco-friendly rental ski model.

The jury was impressed. “The Nawaro Rent Ski emphasizes Völkl’s premier position among the manufacturers of sustainable ski products. ‘Made in Germany’ and manufactured in a state-of-the-art ski production plant, the Nawaro has a convincing all-round concept, which may just show the entire ski market how it can be done.”



Winner Softgoods (1): Women’s Snow Jacket Rena & Snow Pant Waldorf Tech Denim and Men’s Snow Jacket Sargas & Snow Pant Avior Tech Denim by Zimtstern Hall A2.316

Just like the entire fall/winter 2011/12 outerwear collection by Zimtstern, the Women’s Snow Jacket Rena & Snow Pant Waldorf Tech Denim as well as the Men’s Snow Jacket Sargas & Snow Pant Avior Tech Denim are made of 100% bluesign® certified fabrics. The “Tech Denim” with stripe effect brings the trendy jeans look to the mountains. The stylish models not only look good but impress with a high degree of function and useful features. Thanks to bluesign®- and GOTS-certification the products’ eco-compatibility is completely guaranteed. Consumers can trust the bluesign® standard to indicate that only nontoxic textiles without any detrimental impact on the user’s health are used, and that they were produced in an eco-friendly manner.

“Zimtstern received the highest marks in all criteria for the Eco Responsibility Award, and shows how sustainable, yet trendy products can be produced without compromising function and design,” commented the jurors. “The successful overall concept from logistics to CSR provides a definite role model for the sporting goods industry.”



Winner Softgoods (2): Whizz Series (Women’s and Men’s Jacket and Pants) by Pyua Hall B1.406

PYUA has a definite reason to be confident during the winter 2011/2012 season. The brand, synonymous for Eco-Correct Freeriding like no other, has been in very high demand in retail. This proves that the concept of manufacturing exclusively in Europe and using only 100% recyclable materials definitely has its merits. The technical highlight of the collection is the insulated three-layer Whizz 3L Lined Men’s Jacket with matching Whizz 3L Lined Men’s Pants. The Floated 3L Lined Women’s Jacket and Pants, identical in construction and insulation, will definitely catch the eye of many next season.

“This is the second time the yet rather young brand Pyua has attracted our attention with its comprehensive sustainability concept. The consumer gets a highly fashionable product with a great look, guaranteeing a high degree of function, optimum eco-compatibility, and 100% recycling ability, thanks to the use of well-designed and perfectly coordinated materials,” praised the Jury.



Winner Category Fabrics & Fibers: Tencel® Sun by Lenzing Fibers GmbH Hall B6.307

Tencel® Sun fibers by Lenzing are so-called “man-made cellulose fibers” – meaning they are derived industrially (thus “man-made”) from the natural raw wood, consisting of about 40% cellulose. The natural origin of these fibers results in beneficial characteristics such as excellent moisture management and absorption; the industrial production method ensures purity, the integrated sunscreen feature, as well as consistent and distinctive quality.

The jury also added its praise: “The excellent overall concept by Lenzing received high marks in all individual criteria, from logistics, use of resources, to the working conditions at the company. The submitted documents clearly show the holistic concept implemented by using ideal detail solutions and processes. Lenzing occupies a leadership position in the textile industry.”



Winner Accessories: blue one Tent by Vaude Hall B6.209

The two-person tent by Vaude distinguishes itself thanks to its tear shape and resulting aerodynamics. The tent is made of 65 % bio-cotton grown according to strict ecological guidelines. No pesticides or fertilizers were used. The 35% Polyester content is derived from recycled PET plastic bottles. The used bottles are cleansed, ground, and spun into yarn. The result is a high quality Polyester, saving up to 50% energy during manufacturing, completely eliminating fossil fuel components and reducing CO2 emissions by about 50%.

“Vaude’s blue one Tent shows clearly that it is possible to implement sustainable concepts even for unusual product groups. From logistics, material use, to company culture and CSR activities the blue one Tent reflects the high sustainability standards of Vaude. And last but not least, the user knows that high quality and uncompromising function are guaranteed,” was the jury’s verdict.