At EDELRID, we have three core requirements that underpin everything we do and that form an integral part of our product development: safety, functionality and sustainability. Our sustainability approach to each new development project means that we question even the smallest detail of a product regarding the ‘three Rs’:
EDELRID has been a member of the bluesign® SYSTEM since 2009.
The bluesign® SYSTEM is a comprehensive and proven system for environmental protection, occupational safety and consumer protection when it comes to textile products.
The bluesign® SYSTEM is based on “Input Stream Management”. This means that it tests not just the end products for harmful chemicals or chemical residues, but even the production processes of each individual component used to make a product. Chemicals used during production are evaluated, not just to check that they produce no harmful residues in the end product, but also with regard to their impact on employees and the environment.
And the individual companies in the textile chain are regularly tested according to environmental management, management of hazardous substances and work safety management by bluesign® auditors, such as chemical and production activities, for example relating to energy, water and raw material consumption. And brand name companies have their supply chain management audited.
A bluesign® PRODUCT stands for:
The benchmark here is that 90% of the main material must have been tested by bluesign® (= bluesign approved) and 20 - 30% of accessories or small parts, such as buckles, webbing or prints. This is why both our suppliers and the majority of components used and ingredients in these products must be tested by bluesign®.
That is where the system sometimes reaches it limits as bluesign® certified materials are limited, and not always available in the qualities that we require, which is enormously important for us as a manufacturer of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). However, we trust in the ever-increasing popularity of the bluesign® SYSTEM and increasing demand for materials in bluesign® quality and hope that in future there will be a wider selection of bluesign®-certified materials available.
EDELRID offers bluesign® products in the categories ropes, webbings, slings, climbing harnesses, and chalk bags.
While there are already many ways of producing more environmentally-friendly textiles in the industry, when it comes to metal there are only limited possibilities. Applying our drive for sustainability to our carabiners, quickdraw sets, belay devices and pulleys carabiners, quickdraw sets, belay devices and pulleys proved an interesting challenge.
However, with our ‘Steel Story‘ we have now laid the foundations for working in a more sustainable manner and reducing our environmental impact here too.
To put it simply: Strategically placed robust steel inserts prevent early wear from rope friction and burrs or sharp edges and prolongs the service life of climbing equipment, as well as the lifespan of ropes.
While steel is often the best choice for hardware used in climbing halls, it is too heavy for outdoor climbing. Where lightweight design is important, we only replace the parts that are subject to wear with hard-wearing steel. And to save further grams, we use the lightest possible materials for the remaining parts. This is the perfect combination.
Climbers are gear freaks. We lovingly nurture and cherish our climbing equipment and never tire of admiring the bright, shiny colours and curves of our carabiners, quickdraws, etc. However, this addiction also comes at a price.
Our equipment is anodized using toxic chemicals. The waste water from the dyeing process is poisonous and, if not properly disposed of, extremely harmful to humans and the environment. We have to admit that the main purpose of anodizing is to colour our hardware. The process has no effect on its strength. It does increase resistance to corrosion, but only negligibly so, providing the equipment is used normally and stored properly.
This is why we believe that it is right to question if we cannot do without all the bright colours for the sake of a healthy environment?
In 2021, EDELRID launched the HMS BULLETPROOF ECO – the first ever non-anodized carabiner. For the first time, it gives consumers an ecological alternative to standard anodized carabiners. In addition, the stylish industrial look is a fantastic side effect. In the meantime, we now offer a whole new eco line with a selection of non-anodized carabiners for climbers.
In 2018, EDELRID became the first manufacturer in the world to make ropes with a PFC- and PFAS-free finish.
The first ever PFC- and PFAS-free rope, which also meets the UIAA water-repellent standard, was the EDELRID SWIFT ECO DRY 8.9 MM.
This absorbs less than 1 to 2% of its own weight in water and offers similar performance to ropes with our Pro Dry coating in terms of durability, abrasion resistance, and water repellency.
In the meantime, we now offer a wide range of ropes with a PFC- and PFAS-free finish:
Poly- and perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs), and their subcategory PFAS in particular, enable outdoor and climbing equipment to repel oil, grease, and water. Once released into the environment, however, the chemicals degrade very slowly, posing a long-term environmental problem. Our Eco Dry finishing treatment offers a real alternative to high-performance PFCs and PFAS. Due to a rope’s three-dimensional kernmantle construction with core and sheath yarns, the coating procedure is highly complex. After all, the finishing treatment must still ensure the rope’s functionality and durability. The Eco Dry treatment meets all these requirements and yet remains 100% free from PFCs or PFAS.
Closing the loop! Following years of research and development, we have succeeded in manufacturing a rope that is made 50% of recycled ropes – the NEO 3R 9.8 MM is a milestone in eco-friendly rope production. In December 2021, the NEO 3R 9.8. was awarded the German Ecodesign Award – Germany’s highest state award for ecological design.
The BOA ECO 9.8 MM is a rope made of high-quality sheath yarns left over from our rope production. Rather than discarding them, EDELRID recycles the leftover yarns to make new BOA ECO ropes. As the colour of the leftover sheath yarns cannot be planned in advance, each BOA ECO 9.8 MM production batch has its own colour mix. This means that each rope is unique.
If you have the time and patience, then why not transform your old rope into a rope mat – for use at home or as a sit mat for camping or the crag. Those happy climbing experiences will all come flooding back every time you use it. It looks good and might even help keep your house clean