Black Diamond Equipment and UL Solutions set new standards for recycled aluminium in the production of climbing hardware and trekking poles
In doing so, Black Diamond becomes one of the first outdoor industry companies to validate its recycled aluminum content in key product lines, marking a critical step in its larger efforts toward circularity and sustainability
Black Diamond Equipment, a global leader in climbing, skiing, and mountain sports apparel and equipment, establishes the first-ever benchmarks for recycled aluminium content in climbing hardware and trekking poles via verification from UL Solutions. This initiative demonstrates that Black Diamond’s sustainability claims meet the highest industry standards and are independently validated.
As part of Black Diamond’s ambitious sustainability goals for 2030, the company is committed to reducing its carbon footprint by 50% and ensuring that 50% of its products are made from preferred materials, including recycled and regenerative fibres. By working with UL Solutions, Black Diamond takes its first step toward reducing the environmental impact of aluminium, the company’s most used material in their hardgoods manufacturing. Black Diamond’s aluminium-based hardgoods, including carabiners and trekking poles, currently make up approximately 10% of its total carbon footprint from raw materials.
“We’ve been pursuing a palpable reduction in our carbon footprint as a part of our overarching sustainability initiative,” said Neil Fiske, President of Black Diamond Equipment. “Replacing raw material with recycled material wherever possible plays a large role in shrinking that footprint. The verification from UL Solutions substantiates our efforts.”
Leading the Outdoor Industry with Recycled Content Verification
Black Diamond’s verification from UL Solutions sets a new standard for sustainability in the outdoor industry. Using the UL Environmental Claim Validation Procedure for Recycled Content (ECVP 2809-2), UL Solutions has verified that 25% of Black Diamond proprietary BD7075 aluminium alloy billet contains pre-consumer recycled aluminium. This aluminium is used in all Black Diamond carabiners.
Additionally, UL Solutions has validated the amount of recycled aluminium content in Black Diamond trekking poles, one of the company’s largest hardgoods categories:
- Trail, Trail Cork, and Trail Back Trekking Poles: Made with 30% pre-consumer recycled aluminium, with a minimum of 14% recycled content by total finished
- Pursuit FLZ, Distance FLZ, and Distance Z Trekking Poles: Contain 30% pre- consumer recycled aluminium, with a minimum of 16% recycled content by finished weight.
By integrating recycled aluminium into these products, Black Diamond reduces its annual consumption of virgin aluminium by approximately 88 tons. Despite using recycled materials, the company continues to maintain its high standards for product quality, strength, and durability.
A Path Toward Circularity and Sustainability
This milestone is just one part of Black Diamond’s broader sustainability efforts. The company recognizes the challenges of achieving true circularity in hardgoods but remains committed to taking incremental steps in that direction. Products featuring the UL Solutions Environmental Claim Validation Mark will begin reaching consumers early 2025.
To further support its sustainability efforts, Black Diamond is also extending product lifespans by designing its trekking poles to be more easily repairable. Additionally, the company is working on a new spare parts program that will help customers to maintain their gear and reduce waste.
Fiske added: “This is just the beginning. Our work with UL Solutions is a critical step in reducing our reliance on virgin materials and lowering our carbon footprint. We’re committed to pushing the boundaries of sustainability in the outdoor industry, and we hope our efforts inspire others to do the same.”
