By Tanya Weaver Wed 12 Jun 2024
Collected at: https://eandt.theiet.org/2024/06/12/bromptons-latest-folding-bike-features-wheel-rims-made-100-post-consumer-aluminium-scrap
On its mission to manufacture a completely net zero bike by 2050, London-based folding bike company Brompton has partnered with Hydro, a German aluminium and renewable energy company, to create an aluminium wheel rim made with 100% recycled, post-consumer aluminium scrap.
Founded in 1975, Brompton still makes every one of its folding bikes by hand in its London and Sheffield factories. Featuring a three-part fold, a Brompton is able to transform into a small locked package in under 20 seconds.
Having become a certified B Corp recently and with the aim of producing net zero bikes by 2050, Brompton is now looking to its supply chain and the environmental footprint of the materials used during manufacturing.
According to a study by the European Cyclists’ Federation, the materials used to make a typical 15kg bicycle have an average carbon footprint of 75kg of CO2.
“We know how important sustainability is for our customers and their expectation is that we must lead the change by looking at the entire value chain for how our bikes are manufactured,” said Will Carleysmith, chief design and engineering officer at Brompton.
“It starts with the material choice and ensuring the products we put into our bicycle can be recycled after end-of-life,” he added.
In June 2023, Brompton and Hydro formed a partnership to use Hydro’s low-carbon aluminium for the wheel rims.
Hydro CIRCAL 100R is 100% post-consumer recycled 6063 aluminium produced in Dormagen, Germany. This material had a previous life as window frames, car wheels or other consumer products.
Hydro recycles this post-consumer scrap to produce Hydro CIRCAL 100R, which, according to Hydro, has a carbon footprint of less than 0.5kg CO2 per kg aluminium, 33 times lower than the global average.
“We are excited to collaborate with innovative sustainability leaders such as Brompton to develop new low-carbon products that meet consumer expectations. By providing full transparency of the carbon emissions in our value chain, we enable our customers to get in gear and reach their climate ambitions,” said Hanne Karine Simensen, executive vice-president of Hydro.
Brompton undertook extensive testing at its London facility to ensure the Hydro CIRCAL rims met the same high-quality standards as all the other components on a Brompton bike.
Carleysmith said: “As the world’s first safety compliant component manufactured from 100% post-consumer recycled aluminium, the rims provide a real world example of a truly circular economy in the industry.
“We’re a proud B Corp business, and material innovation projects like this one with Hydro can not only improve the footprint of our products and how we operate, but also show the wider industry that there is a better way,” he added.
The first Brompton x Hydro Wheel Rims will be showcased at the Brompton World Championships taking place on 21-23 June 2024 in Coal Drops Yard, London.
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