Verde KinetiCore

Verde KinetiCore is a bicycle helmet that minimises the use of materials by reducing the number of components used. The components essential for producing the helmet are made of 70% recycled material. Moreover, the entire helmet is recyclable. Since no glue has been used, the helmet can be easily dismantled and recycled at the end of its life cycle. 

The jury on Verde KinetiCore:

The bicycle helmet is made of recycled material and designed entirely with a focus on disassembly. The design is built in such a way that users can easily disassemble the helmet themselves and have it recycled. This has no effect on the quality of the helmet.

What does this award mean to you?

It recognises the fact that we have managed to bring a sustainable helmet to the market without compromising on quality. We hope this success inspires others to look at product development in a similar way. We hope to show that it is possible to reduce the environmental impact of a product through a well-researched approach. Finally, we hope that recycling companies and policymakers will see that these kinds of initiatives exist in the industry and gear their activities and policies accordingly. In this way, it will not be limited to small-scale initiatives and instead, we can work towards an organised end-of-life process.

How did the idea for this project come about?

Within the Lazer design team, there was a growing realisation that our products have a significant impact on the environment. This is often diametrically opposed to the motivations of cyclists who, by taking the bike, reduce their carbon footprint. So we set ourselves three goals. Firstly, we wanted to understand how to minimise the environmental impact of a helmet without compromising on standard requirements. Secondly, we wanted to find a way to recycle bicycle helmets. Finally, we wanted to keep the production of the helmet in Europe. That challenged us to think much deeper in the design phase about how we could achieve all of this.

What makes your project so special?

From the beginning, the goal was to make a better product for both the user and the planet. We realised that this required a holistic and data-driven approach. We started with a life-cycle assessment (LCA) of several helmets to create a heat map that identified the most impactful steps in the life cycle. The biggest obstacles lay in the area of production and the use of raw materials. We developed a compound for the outer shell made up of 70% recycled CDs. Circularity was integrated into the design, with mechanical connections for easy disassembly. A full LCA showed significant improvements, such as 46% lower CO₂ emissions. The results can be found on our website, which enables transparent communication about the environmental impact. 

How does it contribute to a better world?

We have created a high-performance bicycle helmet with as little environmental impact as possible. The LCA shows that we have done this via a well-substantiated approach. We have proved that all the impact factors evaluated have been reduced. At the same time, we have designed the helmet so that it can be easily broken down into mono-material components in the end-of-life phase. Therefore, it is suitable for a circular economy. Finally, we think local production is important. By producing this helmet in the EU, we are trying to strengthen the manufacturing industry in Europe.

Do you have any further plans for this project?

Definitely. For Lazer, Verde KinetiCore is a statement of intent for more sustainable product development, manufacturing and better EOL strategies. First of all, we are trying to integrate the lessons learned from this project into other products. We are eliminating as many production steps as possible, minimising waste and using recycled content. Currently, we are also using the now-patented EcoLoc, which allows helmet disassembly, in numerous new products. For instance, we recently launched the Maze KinetiCore, in which we have once again implemented the eco-design strategies we have learned and the Ecoloc feature.