As one of the global players in winter sports industry, we recognize our responsibility to reduce our ecological footprint and create products that are sustainable and long-lasting. By creating durable, high end products and investing in more sustainable production methods and materials, we are able to reduce our impact on the planet.
For years now, we have been taking many actions in this direction, including using renewable energy sources, reducing waste and water consumption, and implementing sustainable sourcing practices. Already in 2001 we received the Energy Globe Award for a biomass combined heat and power plant.
In the following you‘ll get a short overview, where Fischer currently stands. Both in terms of the company in general and what highlights there already are at product level.
100% ELECTRICITY OUT OF RENEWABLE SOURCES AT RIED/AUT
All the electricity required at the Ried site (~ 6,000 MWh a year) is generated by renewable sources.
Solar panels on the roof of the production facility were installed in 2019.
BASIC PROCESS HEAT COVERED WITH BIOMASS AT MUKACHEVO/UKR
The basic process heat requirement at our Ukrainian plant in Mukachevo is covered by biomass.
INTERIOR HEATING IS OBTAINED WITH GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
Interior space heating at the Ried site is generated exclusively with geothermal energy which arises from local hot water sources.
SUSTAINABLE SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT
We are establishing a supply chain management system with a focus on sustainability, to improve all related processes.
We are making these efforts both at the corporate level and on a product-by-product basis. In the 24l25 season we will introduce a new ski model to the market with a significantly reduced Carbon Footprint.
In general, the longer the life cycle of a product before it is replaced, the more sustainable it is. In the production of all its products, Fischer focuses on high quality, which is characterized above all by durability. At Fischer, we understand that sustainability is a journey, and we are committed to continually improving our practices and products.
The Highlights
Zero Waste Wood Core Production
The wood cores are processed 100% in production - the resulting offcuts are used internally as biomass for our process heat.
Sustainable packaging
We are continuously improving our packaging with focus on reduction of plastic waste, increase of recycling content and reduction of print areas.
Renewable resources
All Air Cores and Wood Cores contain a minimum of 50% of bio-based materials. More than half of the Air Cores are made of cardboard impregnated with resins.
Recycled materials
We have a recycling content of 80% in our Titanal of the ski models Ranger and Transalp. Furthermore, we use steel edges with a recycling content of 20-25% in all our models.
The percentage of recycled materials in products and packaging is gradually increased year by year. This is carefully checked for products, as it must not lead to any loss of quality or performance, which would defeat the purpose of sustainability on a larger scale.
Digital product guides
The manuals for the individual products are no longer printed, but made available digitally with a QR-code to save paper.
Biogene ingredients
The top foils of the Ranger skis use more than 10% recycled content and 50% bio-based materials in top sheets.
Local production focus
The majority of our products are produced in Europe, near our core markets. One of our goals when selecting parts manufacturers and assembly facilities is to reduce transit distances between locations.
Fischer taking part In project “WINTRUST”
Together with our industry partners, we are working on the recyclability of our products to get on track towards a circular supply chain. Fischer is working together with the University of Leoben, suppliers, recycling companies, Kunstoff Cluster, and other winter sports competitors on the international "WINTRUST" project. The aim of the project is to find out how the products manufactured over the past 20 years can be recycled most effectively. With this experience, better recyclable products will be produced in the future.
What "WINTRUST" is about:
Winter Sport Resource Efficiency and Improved Circular Economy
1. Cooperation over the entire life cycle.
2. Five product categories: Skis, bindings, boots, skiing helmets, poles.
3. Mechanical Recycling (incl. Technical processes).
4. LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) with real data of the technical, logistic and economic processes from the use cases.
5. Identification of adjustment points and optimization potential.
6. Ecologically and economically reasonable approaches/solutions
With these and other measures, Fischer assumes responsibility for the environment and does not buy its way out of this responsibility. Fischer attaches great importance to implementing sustainable projects - rooted in the outdoors, we must act as ambassadors and contribute to making it possible to enjoy the unlimited freedom of our sports also in the future.