Natural fibres show outstandingly low CO2 footprint compared to glass and mineral fibres
The carbon footprint of natural fibres such as flax, hemp, jute or kenaf is much lower than their counterparts glass and mineral fibres. The production of 1 tonne of glass fibres shows a carbon footprint of about 1.7–2.5 tonnes CO2-eq per tonne of fibre, whereas natural fibres only have a carbon footprint of about 0.35–0.55 tonnes CO2-eq per tonne of fibre (until the factory gate, excluding transport to the customer, using mass allocation). This is an 80% lower carbon footprint than that of glass fibres.
The 57-page study “Carbon Footprint and Sustainability of Different Natural Fibres for Biocomposites and Insulation Material – Study providing data for the automotive and insulation industry” was conducted in 2018 and published in March 2019 by nova-Institute, Germany.
The Anthem Awards is the largest and most comprehensive social impact award that recognizes the greatest change-makers and global leaders.
FlamaCircular competed among 2,300 proposals from 44 countries around the world, with recognized brands and organizations such as UNICEF USA, Amazon Music, World Economic Forum, National Geographic, World Bank, The Obama Foundation, Google, United Nations, WWF, among many other projects.
We won in three categories: • Partnership or collaboration: Gold Anthem Winner • Special projects: Bronze Anthem Winner • Education or literacy platform: Bronze Anthem Winner
In recent years, surfboards made from paulownia wood have become increasingly popular. Let’s see some relevant data that help understand why paulownia is so precious for the planet.
Sustainable Surf and Pure Strategies have recently completed a lifecycle study of a more sustainable surfboard. This compares the carbon footprint of a standard “poly” surfboard (PE resin/PU blank)* vs. an ECOBOARD made with bio-based epoxy resin and recycled content EPS blank.
UNSUSTAINABLE is a short documentary that gives an insight into the (un)sustainability of the surf industry, starting by the basic element needed, the surfboard.
Shapers around Europe give us their point of view about the fact that surfing, an activity originally based on respect and contact with nature, has become an industry of oil-based products. Alternatives do already exist, it’s only a matter of embracing them and detach ourselves from the image and lack of attention towards the envirtonment that the surf industry has hold over the past years.
Featuring: Job Verpoorte (Jabali Surfb.), Ze Antunes (Yoni Surfb.) and Sergi Galanó (Flamasurf)
Is it possible to make responsible consumer choices without knowing the issues behind theproducts you buy? > Does the naturalistic image of surfing pose a barrier to a more critical view of the sport itself? > Which factors actually influence surfers when buying a sustainable surfboard?
In 2021 the NGO Good Karma Projects , under the program #RIDE&RESPECT conducted a study to understand the behavior of surfing consumers when purchasing a new surfboard. The results should help us understand how we, as concious surfboard makers, are seen and which steps we should take in order to convince surfers that our alternatives are trustful and worth.
THEORETICAL & PRACTICAL INTENSIVE-DAY WORKSHOP TO DISCOVER THE FLAMAVOLTA TECHNOLOGY: A REVOLUTIONARY LAMINATION PROCESS THAT REPLACES FIBERGLASS WITH NATURAL MATERIALS.
COURSE 1: Satuday 7th December COURSE 2: Saturday 14th December PRICE: 145€ lunch included WHERE: Longwinter Glassing shop, Chiclana
TAKING ADVANTAGE OF OUR REVOLUTIONARY PROCESS, WE WILL RE-LAMINATE AN OLD FIBERGLASS BOARD WITH PAULOWNIA VENEER, GIVING IT NEW LIFE AND EXTENDING ITS LIFE CYCLE.
In addition, you will learn the latest in sustainable board construction: materials, foams, buiding techniques, vacuum technology…
The FlamaVolta tech is one of the most environmentally friendly construction methods today. A lamination method that is carbon negative, with no fiberglass and carcinogenic chemicals involved, that allows to make high performance and longlasting surfboards.
LEARN TO BUILD SUSTAINABLE SURFBOARDS WITH FLAMAVOLTA TECHNOLOGY WHILE SURFING THE AMAZING COAST OF CÁDIZ
NEXT DATES: 2nd to 6th December
FLAMA VOLTA BUILDING WORKSHOP
In this workshop you will build, start to finish, your own high performance surfboard with the latest technology from Flamasurf. The FlamaVolta tech is one of the most environmentally friendly construction methods today. A lamination method with no fiberglass and toxic chemicals involved, that allows to make high performance and longlasting surfboards.
Get more info here or contact us at info@flamasurf.com
After five years since the last edition, the 4th European Wooden Surfboard Meet 2024 was a success! On Friday 27 September and Saturday 28 September the fourth EWSM was held at Playa de Berria, Cantabria, Spain.
While many attendees know each other and communicate online, the event is always an excellent opportunity to meet people in person and appreciate eachother’s work in real life. The non-commercial, non-competitive gathering is a way to bring together artists, craftsmen and engineers whom work towards a more eco-conscious and sustainable surfboard making industry.
The event started on Friday evening, where we welcomed master shaper and legendary longboarder @tomwegenersurfboards . Tom Wegener was responible for the renaisance of the ancient alaia and helped popularize paulownia wood, one the most valuable timbers among wooden surfboard builders.
For Sergi, Flamacircular founder, was a very special moment, as he was first introoduced to the magic of paulownia wood when he met Tom Wegener in 2009 when he was touring Europe promoting his alaias. The flame that gave birth to Flama was inginited that day, and they kept their relationship ever since, but only virtually, and it took 15 years to meet again.
On Saturday all the attendees met at the beach park with all their crafts to put on display. It was a long day of a lot of talking, sharing and laughing. A day of pure fun and happiness.
Despite the event’s name and because the industry advanced over the last few of years, we could prove how eco-friendlier-surfboard makers are embracing new technologies and materials in their perpetual pursue of a more sustainable surf industry. Although wood remains as the most used material, flax, hemp, bioresins and 3D print are getting popular.
No wonder everyone was asking if there will be a new meet on 2025. For sure there should be one, and perhaps we could even give it a new push, 15 years after the first Wooden Meet was organized by Grant Newby in the Gold Coast, Australia. It’s time to demonstrate to the surfing world that there are many ways to have a more sustainable industry, and that if it’s not happening it is not because a lack of alternatives.
