Black Diamond Equipment Works with UL Solutions to Establish First-Ever Benchmarks for Recycled Aluminum Content in Climbing Hardware and Trekking Poles

December 11, 2024

In doing so, Black Diamond becomes the first outdoor industry company to validate its recycled aluminum content in key product lines, marking a critical step in its larger efforts toward circularity and sustainability.

SALT LAKE CITY – December 11, 2024 /OUTDOOR SPORTSWIRE/ – Black Diamond Equipment®, a global leader in climbing, skiing, and mountain sports apparel and equipment, establishes the first-ever benchmarks for recycled aluminum 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 fibers. By working with UL Solutions, Black Diamond takes its first step toward reducing the environmental impact of aluminum, the company’s most used material in their hardgoods manufacturing. Black Diamond’s aluminum-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 our proprietary BD7075 aluminum alloy billet contains pre-consumer recycled aluminum. Black Diamond uses this aluminum in all carabiners.

Additionally, UL Solutions has validated the amount of recycled aluminum content in our trekking poles, one of the company’s largest hardgoods categories:

• Trail, Trail Cork, and Trail Back Trekking Poles: Certified by UL Solutions to contain 30% pre-consumer recycled aluminum, with a minimum of 14% recycled content by total finished weight.
• Pursuit FLZ, Distance FLZ, and Distance Z Trekking Poles: Certified by UL Solutions to contain 30% pre-consumer recycled aluminum, with a minimum of 16% recycled content by finished weight.

By integrating recycled aluminum into these products, Black Diamond reduces its annual consumption of virgin aluminum 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 by Q1 2025.

To further support its sustainability efforts, Black Diamond is also extending product lifespans by designing its trekking poles to be more easily repairable. A new spare parts program will also launch in early 2025, making it easier for customers to maintain their gear and reduce waste. Additionally, the company plans to launch an end-of-life recycling program for trekking poles and metallic climbing equipment, with the goal of creating new aluminum products from directly recycled materials—another industry first.

Fiske continued, “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.”

About Black Diamond Equipment

Black Diamond Equipment is a global leader in designing innovative outdoor-engineered equipment and apparel for climbing, skiing, and a wide range of other year-round outdoor activities. Headquartered in Salt Lake City at the base of the Wasatch Mountains, Black Diamond is synonymous with performance, innovation, and durability in the outdoor community. For more information on Black Diamond Equipment, visit www.blackdiamondequipment.com.