BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news
In July of 2023, Brompton announced the signing of a letter of intent with Norsk Hydro. The goal: To use low carbon footprint aluminium in its bikes.
At the time of the announcement, Norsk Hydro and Brompton stated they would “start exploration of the application of post-consumer recycled aluminium in wheel rims (with) development trials … anticipated in Q4 2023.”
Today, Brompton has launched a bike with the world’s first 100% fully recycled aluminium wheel-rims, developed through its partnership with Norsk Hydro.
The British brand has a stated goal to manufacture a net-zero bike by 2050. With this new component made of 100% recycled, post-consumer aluminium scrap, it is delivering both an industry first and taking a significant step towards this goal.
To create the rims, Brompton leveraged Hydro’s supply of 100% recycled 6063 aluminium produced in Dormagen, Germany alongside a low-carbon European supply chain to assemble the wheels in its London factory.
As the world’s first, safety-compliant component manufactured from 100% post-consumer recycled aluminium, the rims provide a real-world example of a truly circular economy in the industry.
In sharing this news, Will Carleysmith, design and engineering officer at Brompton said: “We’re a proud B Corp business, and material innovation projects like this one with Hydro, can not only improve the footprint of our products and how we operate, but also show the wider industry that there is a better way.”
- The first Brompton x Hydro Wheel Rims will be showcased at the Brompton World Championships in Coal Drops Yard, London from 21 – 23 June 2024.
- They will be the hero part of three specially designed BWC London bikes, that feature BWC logo touchpoints with a bright multi-colourway finish.
- Two of the bikes will be awarded to the winners of the men’s and women’s races, with the third being the grand prize in the BWC raffle.
Bikes will be available in larger volumes in late 2024.
