Starting from October 2025, almost all the aluminium bicycle frames from Trek, Electra, and Diamant will be made out of aluminium. These aluminium would be mostly sourced from various renewable sources like recycled material. This initiative of Trek would impact over 1,000,000 bikes produced annually and is the largest carbon initiative in its history. This shift to the use of aluminium in the production of bicycles would be a significant step within the sustainability initiatives implemented by the cycling industry so far.
From the year 2021, Trek has been investigating using low-emission aluminium. The company has been focusing on an aluminium sourcing policy to help its suppliers procure it. The aluminium frames for the company would be sourced to meet the present demand of low-emission aluminium. These low-emission aluminium frames will meet all the required performance criteria and specifications as required by the organisation.
Trek President John Burke said, "This is a major move, not just for Trek, but for what's possible in bicycle manufacturing. It'll put us years ahead of our climate goals, and it proves there's a better path. We hope other companies will join us, inside and outside of the bicycle industry."
Setting a New Standard for aluminium
The new sustainable aluminium sourcing policy now limits emissions to 11 kg of CO₂ per kg of aluminium or less, according to the global environmental guidelines like the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative. Most of the aluminium used by Trek already falls below this particular limit, mostly because all the primary material producers use renewable electricity.
This particular shift is strategic for the company’s growth. However, Trek is already focused on using sustainable and low-emission aluminium for other parts of the bicycle, like seatposts, handlebars, stems and rims.
Joel DeMeritt, Trek's Global Sustainability Manager, said, "We're not done. Our aim is to apply this thinking across every major aluminium part we make."
Trek's few tips and strategies to use low-emission aluminium
The company focuses on setting the vision and goals of the organisation in the long run. The future goal must be clearly stated, including the long-term emission goal of the organisation. Everyone must be made aware of the sustainability goals and the use of low-emission aluminium within its working mechanism. The knowledge of the material sourcing is important for an organisation to know. The source of the aluminium, the process involved in making it, along with the sustainable aluminium sourcing policy, are key areas that are essential for the companies to know. As per the company, one must ask for better opportunities, as one might not need new suppliers for the organisation for procuring aluminium. They just have to ask the suppliers to provide more clean options. The recycling of aluminium must be given more importance, as it is easier to reinvest in the existing process. Aluminium recycling is widely used by most companies to ensure that all the sustainability norms are met.
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