Hydro, the Norwegian aluminium and renewable energy company, joined forces with London-based bicycle manufacturer Brompton to incorporate Hydro's low-carbon aluminium into Brompton's bicycle lineup.
Finally, in 2024, Brompton utilised Hydro's CIRCAL 100R in its bicycle rims. This innovative move brought bicycle wheel rims crafted entirely from 100 per cent post-consumer aluminium scrap to the market. The CIRCAL 100R is a product renowned for its weight reduction benefits, batch-by-batch transparency, and nearly zero CO2 footprints.
"We are excited to collaborate with innovative sustainability leaders such as Brompton to develop new low-carbon products that meet consumer expectations. By providing full transparency of the carbon emissions in our value chain, we enable our customers to get in gear and reach their climate ambitions," stated Hanne Karine Simensen, Executive Vice President of Hydro Aluminium Metal.
The aluminium provided to Brompton originates entirely from post-consumer scrap sourced from old window frames, car wheels, or other consumer goods. Although bicycles may seem less complex than cars or trains, every bicycle component must undergo stringent testing for safety, strength, durability, and resistance to corrosion. Brompton has conducted these tests at its London facility to ensure that the Hydro CIRCAL rims adhere to the same rigorous quality standards as all other components in a Brompton bicycle.