French sports equipment manufacturer Salomon has unveiled a new recyclable winter sports helmet, it calls the Brigade Index. The helmet is made with 98 per cent of materials from a single plastic family, making it easy to recycle at the end of its lifespan.
Nans Girodengo, research and development specialist for Salomon’s protective team, says traditional helmets are complex to recycle because they use mixed materials to create just one helmet.
“We needed to find a way to use materials from the same family for all parts to create a simple recycling process,” said Girodengo.
The Brigade Index helmet is designed to have a reduced environmental impact of up to 19 per cent compared to traditional helmets. This is due to the use of polyolefins – especially polypropylene – which requires less energy during production. The helmet’s end-of-life recycling process also contributes to its low environmental impact.
In addition to the recyclable helmet, Salomon has released a life-cycle analysis (LCA) of key products, including Nordic and alpine skis, snowboards, bindings, helmets, and goggles.
This analysis provides insights into the environmental impact of each stage in the product creation process, from material sourcing to end-of-life management, guiding Salomon’s global climate strategy with science-based data.
Xavier Le Guen, vice president of Salomon, added: “The fact that we have openly shared the results of all our LCA is also a way to contribute to the broader transformation of the industry.”
Watch the video below to learn more about the creation of the Brigade Index:
