In 2021, our brand stepped up our commitments to ensure all individuals connected to our business working are treated fairly, treated ethically, and fair labour is practiced throughout our supply chain. Our brand and all suppliers work in line with the Fair Labour Association, where high benchmarks are set for us to work in line with, we also implement the FLA Code of Conduct.
Working towards accreditation with the Fair Labour Association is not a ‘one-off audit’ scenario. We have deliberately made a long-term commitment to engage in an open dialogue with the FLA and other companies for lasting change.
Sustainability is a journey, and we acknowledge that there are so many areas in which we could do more. Below are some of our key initiatives so far…
CARBON OFFSETTING
ENERGY USE
Our Eco Friendly Materials
We have teamed up with one of the leaders in recycled plastic, Waste 2 Wear, with whom we now produce many of our kite bags and key accessories. Waste 2 Wear recycle 100% post-consumer plastic bottles into eco-friendly fabrics suitable for our kite bags.
Our ongoing quest is to develop the highest performing Directional Surf and Foil Kiteboards on the market while reducing our environmental impact. As an industry first, we have teamed up with Sustainable Surf to develop a full line of Directional Surf and Foil Kiteboards that comply with, and exceed, the Ecoboard fundamentals of:
A measurably reduced carbon footprint
Renewable, recycled and/or up-cycled material inputs
Optimizing materials and processes that reduce toxicity during manufacturing
Bio Resin systems reduce greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 50% over conventional petroleum-based epoxies. These resin systems replace petroleum-based, raw materials with renewable, plant-based materials.
Wherever possible, the raw materials used in Bio Resins are co-products or waste products of industrial processes which do not compete with food sources or displace food-based agriculture. Along with the environmental benefits, epoxy bio-resin offers 3.5% to 4.5% tensile elongation at failure compared to 1% to 2% for typical polyester resins. Polyester resins are also more toxic during lamination and are avoided wherever possible.
As a base material for our surfboard cores, EPS can be easily recycled during, and after, manufacture and is less harmful to produce.
At the same time, the EPS core is typically lighter, allowing us to put a tougher outer skin onto the board to increase its lifespan. EPS requires an epoxy skin, and typically epoxy resin has five times the strength of polyester due to its molecular bonding.
Sandwich constructions create a stronger skin while requiring less cloth and resin. In addition, we have explored ways to optimize materials used on the sandwich construction.
In our Reflex Wood surf range, the wood sandwich is a non-toxic, renewable material that displaces a substantial amount of the cloth and resin typically used to make a board.
In our Reflex Carbon surf range, Recycled PET is a structural foam material, used as a sandwich layer, featuring high durability and impact-resistant characteristics. It offers very reliable processing without outgassing, and the base materials are PVC free (as opposed to traditional sandwich materials).
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