Green Skis: Elan’s Commitments
Oberson x Elan
_____________________________
The alpine skiing industry is changing thanks to technologies that improve equipment performance and manufacturing processes. However, one question often comes up: how much energy will it take to create a new product?
Considering nature in every business decision, Elan is the only international alpine ski manufacturer that can boast of designing, producing and testing its alpine skis in one place: Begunje, Slovenia. But the energy used for manufacturing was still an issue.
This year, Elan took another step towards the goal of self-sufficiency. The company now uses 100% renewable electricity. But another step brought them even closer to the goal. With 2,500 of its own solar panels, Elan will be able to produce eco-friendly downhill skis while drawing on a green energy source: the sun of the Slovenian Alps.
Solar Panels to Produce Green Skis
Elan acquired 2,500 solar panels that will produce about 12% of the company’s energy needs for producing alpine ski equipment. This green energy will reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 498.2 tonnes.
Solar energy is the most efficient green energy solution for production, which reduces production costs and boosts the company’s competitiveness.
Facts about Elan’s New Solar Panels
- Total capacity 1 megawatt (MW) = enough energy to provide 160 homes with electricity
- Annual electricity production of 1,060 MWh
- 2,500 solar panels
- The panels’ total surface area: 5,000 m2
Producing Eco-Friendly Skis
Elan is aware of the impact that alpine ski equipment manufacturers can have on nature. Since the sport is practised outdoors, protecting Mother Nature for future generations is essential for the company.
“Looking forward, we want not only to design the skis of the future, but also the future of skiing, while protecting the world we cherish.”
Because environmental protection is in Elan’s DNA, the alpine ski manufacturer recently reworked its supply chain to return to a more local economy. Moreover, 99% of the raw materials used in manufacturing Elan ski equipment come from the European Union. In addition, the company is committed to helping restore the Gorenjska region’s forests to be able to use this wood resource for future products.
- 1% of raw materials come from outside Europe
- 13% of raw materials come from within Europe
- 68% of raw materials come within 400 km of Begunje
- 18% of raw materials come from Slovenia
Green Star Certification
The CER Sustainable Business Network recognized the company’s environmental commitments by awarding it the Green Star certification, which encourages companies to go green and move towards carbon-neutral production.
Environmental Commitments by 2030
Elan is constantly innovating its skis’ technologies and constructions and its environmental commitments. The European manufacturer has committed to change certain ways of doing things by 2030 to give back to the wilderness that surrounds it in Begunje.
-
Improve energy efficiency and, consequently, reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the internal production process
-
Reduce emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
-
Optimize supply chain sustainability
-
Increase the recycled content in products and the recovery of materials used in product manufacturing
-
Increase the proportion of recycled waste
-
Ensure a safer, healthier, more enjoyable, friendlier environment for workers
Elan is a touchstone for the alpine skiing industry. The strength of its greener business model gives back to the ski community by helping protect the future of winter. Innovation doesn’t just have its place in developing technologies—it plays a key role in production methods.
