- Brompton and Hydro unveiled the first bicycle wheel rims made from 100% recycled aluminium using Hydro CIRCAL 100R.
- These rims offer near-zero CO2 emissions and meet high safety, durability, and corrosion resistance standards.
- This innovation underscores Brompton’s sustainability commitment and Hydro’s net-zero emissions goal by 2050 in the bicycle industry.
Brompton and Hydro are propelling the ebike sector into the future with bicycle rims made from 100% recycled aluminium
The collaboration between Brompton and Hydro, a leading aluminium and renewable energy firm, started in June 2023. The partnership’s goal is to integrate Hydro’s low-carbon aluminium into Brompton’s product line. The initial outcome of this collaboration is the innovative wheel rims fashioned from Hydro CIRCAL 100R. This material is celebrated for its extremely low carbon footprint and batch-by-batch transparency.
Hydro CIRCAL 100R is produced entirely from post-consumer scrap, including discarded window frames and car wheels. This choice of material lightens the rims while producing nearly zero CO2 emissions.
According to a study by the European Cyclists’ Federation, the materials for a typical 15-kilogram bicycle have an average carbon footprint of 75 kilograms of CO2. Brompton’s new rims will significantly reduce this impact.
Will Carleysmith, Brompton’s Chief Design & Engineering Officer, commented:
“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. It starts with the material choice and ensuring the products we put into our bicycle can be recycled after end-of-life.”
Hanne Karine Simensen, Executive Vice President of Hydro Aluminium Metal, adds:
“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.”
Brompton’s new rims made from Hydro CIRCAL 100R are a shining example of a circular economy in action. They set a new sustainability landmark in the bicycle industry. We’ve seen impressive advancements in the ebike sector of late, and this ultra-sustainable material surely find its way into many bike models to come.
