Black Diamond is now UL Solutions validated; over 25% recycled aluminium usage confirmed

In a recent press release, Black Diamond, a renowned manufacturer of equipment for skiing, climbing, and mountain sports based in Utah, United States, reported that UL Solutions backed its proprietary BD7075 aluminium alloy billet through UL Environmental Claim Validation Procedure for Recycled Content (ECVP 2809-2) to be composed of 25 per cent pre-consumer recycled content. This validated aluminium, which is a first of its kind in this specific manufacturing industry, is the principal component in all of their manufactured carabiners and is the majority of the used substance in hard goods manufacturing.

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Jess Powell, Sustainability and Advocacy Manager, has clarified the matter further. He says the brand had no way of knowing the percentage despite knowing about recycled aluminium in its carabiners and poles.

“The exciting part is that we have been able to benchmark what this baseline currently is through a reputable third party — UL Solutions (formally Underwriters Laboratory), the leading verification organisation. We are now figuring out how to increase that percentage and hopefully include post-consumer recycled aluminium as well,” Powell commented.

Black Diamond proudly highlights that their trekking poles have received UL Solutions verification. The Trail, Trail Cork, and Trail Back Trekking Poles contain 30 per cent pre-consumer recycled aluminium, with at least 14 per cent recycled content by weight. The Pursuit FLZ, Distance FLZ, and Distance Z Trekking Poles have the same aluminium content but feature a minimum of 16 per cent recycled content by weight.

“We have to be careful about the integrity of the aluminium, considering that people are entrusting their lives to its performance (at least in terms of climbing gear),” said Powell. “We also want to make sure we maintain the reputation and performance of all BD gear, which just means we need to perform adequate testing as we work to increase the percentage.”

But Powell also added, “It’s also challenging to know the exact content, given the complications of global supply chains.”

At present, Black Diamond has affirmed about more or less 10 per cent contribution of aluminium among its total carbon footprint from raw materials.

However, augmenting recycled aluminium content is part of a bigger plan for the equipment manufacturing business. It conveys that aluminium is only part of a commitment to reduce its carbon footprint by 50 per cent by 2030. It also pleads that 50 per cent of its products will, in near future, be made from 'preferred' elements which encircles recycled and regenerative fibres in softgoods.