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.
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.
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.
The compsand construction (vacuum bagged skins over eps), invented by Australian guru Grant Newby, allows to build boards that are 70% organic by weight and carbon neutral. No fiberglass or resins of any kind are necessary, they only need a protection coat like oil or wood floor varnish, which makes repairs super easy!
SMALL DING SKIN REPAIR
BIGGER DING WITH LOSS OF MATERIAL
There is broken eps and loss of materialCut skin with blade creating a beveled joint Shape a thick paulownia block with beveled sides and pur PU glueThe block must compress the damaged epsSand down the blockUse wood paste to seal joints perfectly We dyed the putty to match sking colorSand the puttyPaint with watercolor and varnish
FLAMA’S ORIGINAL TECHONOLOGY: 99% ORGANIC SURFBOARDS
FlamaClassic is the original concept that started my adventure in 2010 with some very simple yet optimistic goals: building 100% organic surfboards out of wood with the least environmental impact. 15 years later we can say we achieved many of those initial goals: we brought the technique as far as we could, perfecting it and trying to make lighter yet durable boards, and the test of time has proved that the FlamaClassic technique is totally trustworthy.
FlamaClassic construction is carbon negative, probably the most sustainable technology today
MAIN GOALS
> 100% organic and unglassed surfboards > building blanks to be hand-shaped > offering custom blanks at market price > best weight/durability ratio > simplest construction method with minimum energy consumption
We unveil the secrets of the FlamaClassic technology. Make good use of it and enjoy the process!
