Our approach to sustainability: Finding balance

It’s not always simple. Designing products that perform at a high level, are built to last, and are made with care for the planet, without making them unaffordable, often brings real tension. These aren’t easy boxes to tick all at once

With every new board or product we create, we try to find that balance again. We’re not perfect, and we’re okay with that. For us, sustainability isn’t a destination. It’s a process that requires honesty, ongoing reflection, and constant improvement.

At ROODE Boards, we don’t keep large stock. Every board is made to order, so we only produce what’s needed, when it’s needed. This approach helps us avoid overproduction, reduce material waste, and keep unnecessary transport to a minimum.

By working without excess inventory, we ensure that neither we nor our distributors end up with unsold boards gathering dust or being pushed out at clearance sales. This is better for the planet and it helps protect the long-term value of our boards.

For us, building a board should start with intention, not with a sales target. Making only the boards that will be ridden keeps us honest about the way we work.

We prioritise local sourcing for our kiteboard production. “Local” can mean different things. Sometimes it is a supplier in the same city. Other times, it is a company in a nearby country. The materials we use to build our boards are highly specialised, so we always source them as close as possible while still meeting our quality standards.

Even when we source within Europe, materials often still travel more than 2,000 kilometres to reach us. That is far from perfect, but it is a much better alternative to sourcing from the other side of the world. By choosing suppliers closer to home, we reduce transport distances, lower emissions and support regional manufacturing.

Today, 99% of our raw materials and semi-finished products are sourced from within Europe. The remaining 1% comes from China in a single small annual shipment consisting of just one 5-kilogram box.

Our supply chain is not always short, but we keep it as short as possible without compromising on quality. Every decision we make is a balance between performance, availability and environmental impact. Building sustainable boards is an ongoing process.

At ROODE Boards, we have put a lot of thought into how we send our products. We are proud that every order is shipped without single-use plastic. After many tests and adjustments, we have found a mix of recyclable materials that protects our products while keeping waste to a minimum.

The packaging for our kiteboards is made in-house on our laser cutting machine. Both the shape and the lettering are cut directly into the cardboard, which means we do not use a single drop of ink. This not only saves resources but also gives every package a clean and distinctive look.

To keep everything securely in place, we use a cardboard strapping band. It is fully recyclable and, to us, a small design detail that makes a big difference. It keeps the package strong, reduces waste and looks good at the same time.

If you ever receive a plastic bag from us, do not be disappointed. It is made from a 100% biodegradable material that will safely break down over time.

For us, building a board should start with intention, not with a sales target. Making only the boards that will be ridden keeps us honest about the way we work.

Wherever possible, we choose to work with raw materials that have a lower environmental impact and contribute to more sustainable board building.

Greenpoxy
This epoxy resin is well known within the board manufacturing industry and contains a mixed bio-based carbon content (resin plus hardener) of 28 percent, made from plant and vegetable origins. It offers high performance while reducing the environmental footprint compared to conventional epoxy resins.

Filaments
We try to use recycled filaments or specially formulated low‑impact materials for our advanced 3D printing production. For example, our wall mounts are printed with an elephant‑grass‑enhanced filament. That grass absorbs approximately four times as much CO₂ per acre as a typical European forest and reduces the carbon footprint of the filament by about one‑third. Beyond that, life‑cycle analyses of recycled filaments show carbon footprint reductions of 35–57 percent compared to standard alternatives 

Wooden Cores
We use Paulownia wooden cores, sourced from a tree species often referred to as a “miracle tree” for its remarkable ability to absorb CO₂. A single Paulownia tree can take in up to 700 kg of CO₂ per year, which is more than 20 times the amount absorbed by an oak tree. The sawmill we work with is located less than four hours away, helping to keep transport emissions low.

Digital Printing
We use both eco solvent and UV printing techniques to apply designs directly onto our boards. These methods allow us to print with high accuracy and vibrant colors without the setup waste that comes with traditional screen printing. Eco solvent inks produce fewer harmful emissions, and UV printing requires no drying time, making the process more efficient. This flexibility means we can work with detailed artwork, small runs, and even custom designs without generating extra waste.

Kiteboard Press
We built a custom press specifically for producing kiteboards. This press applies even pressure across the board, ensuring strong and consistent laminations. One of its key benefits is that no waste is generated during pressing. In contrast, vacuum infusion techniques require single use plastic materials for each board, such as vacuum bags and peel ply. By avoiding these consumables, we significantly reduce the amount of production waste that would otherwise be thrown away after a single use.

Reusing waste heat
Our CNC machine generates a lot of heat during the milling process. Instead of letting this heat escape into the workshop, we capture it and redirect it through a pipe to the upper floor, where a drying cabinet is located. This cabinet is used for post curing our boards, a process that strengthens the epoxy and improves the board’s durability. By reusing the waste heat, we make use of energy that would otherwise be lost, reducing the need for additional heating equipment.

Before selling our first board, we committed to becoming a member of 1% for the Planet. This means we pledge to donate one percent of our total annual revenue to environmental causes.

All our sustainability actions are driven by genuine intentions and the belief that they can make a meaningful long-term difference. However, we also recognise that until we produce a truly carbon negative board, these efforts alone will not reverse the environmental challenges we face.

Through 1% for the Planet, we have chosen to support Seatrees in their work to restore marine ecosystems. Our contributions help fund coral restoration projects in Costa Rica and the planting of seagrass meadows along the coast of Spain. Both coral reefs and seagrass play a vital role in capturing carbon, protecting marine biodiversity, and supporting healthy ocean ecosystems.

The production process at ROODE Boards meets the highest sustainability criteria of the Ecoboard Project from Sustainable Surf and has been awarded Gold Level certification.

The Ecoboard Project is a globally recognised program that encourages board manufacturers to reduce their environmental impact by using more sustainable materials and cleaner production methods. It focuses on three key areas: lowering carbon footprint, using renewable and recycled materials, and ensuring responsible manufacturing practices.

At ROODE Boards, we believe even the smallest leftover can have value. That’s why we participate in the Woodloop program, ensuring that all wood we collect through their system is properly recycled.

Instead of ending up in landfills or being burned, the offcuts, scraps, and leftover wood we send to Woodloop are processed through certified recycling channels. This material is given a second life: transformed into new products like particle board, fibre panels, and other useful materials.

By joining Woodloop, we make sure that:

• Nothing is wasted: every piece of wood collected through the program is tracked and recycled.
• Local recycling partners process the materials responsibly.
• New resources are created from what would otherwise be waste.

Most kiteboards reach a point where they can no longer be repaired or safely used on the water. Traditionally, these boards end up as waste because their layered construction of wood, fiberglass, carbon, and epoxy makes them very difficult to recycle. We wanted to approach this challenge differently.

We have installed a dedicated industrial shredder in our workshop with the specific purpose of breaking down old kiteboards and laminated production waste. This equipment allows us to reduce complete boards into small, manageable fragments. In most industries, these fragments would still be considered waste. For us, they are raw materials waiting for a second life.

Turning waste into new products
The shredded material is a mix of fibers, resin, and wood particles. It is not an easy material to work with, but it holds potential. We are currently running tests to combine this mix with other binding agents and processing methods to create new products. The goal is not to simply recycle for the sake of it, but to make something that is strong, functional, and has a lifespan at least equal to similar products made from virgin materials.

A process that takes time
Developing a reliable reuse method is not quick work. Every test teaches us something new, from how the material behaves in molds to how it responds under stress. Some trials fail, others show promise. We are prepared to take the time needed to get this right because a recycled product should not be a compromise in quality or durability.

By shredding and reprocessing old kiteboards, we reduce the amount of composite waste that ends up in landfills or incinerators. This approach also opens the door to creating useful items from materials that would otherwise be discarded. It is not a perfect solution yet, but it is a step toward a more circular way of making and using boards.

At ROODE Boards we are constantly searching for materials that match or exceed the performance of the well-known composites used in kiteboard manufacturing, but with a lower environmental impact. This is not just a necessity for the future of the sport; it is also a challenge we genuinely enjoy exploring together with our suppliers. Every new fiber or resin we test carries the possibility of making our boards stronger, lighter, or more sustainable, and ideally all three at once.

One example is bamboo fabrics. Depending on how they are grown and processed, they can even have a carbon footprint that is considered neutral or better. Incorporating these fabrics into a kiteboard is an exciting prospect, but they must serve a functional purpose. A material cannot simply be used for its aesthetic appeal on the outer layer — it must contribute to the board’s performance and durability.

The fabrics in our boards are never one-dimensional. We work with a mix of unidirectional, biaxial, and twill weaves, each bringing its own characteristics. Unidirectional fibers excel in stiffness and energy transfer. Biaxial fibers improve torsional control and flexibility. Twill weaves add impact resistance and a balanced feel. Combining these allows us to fine-tune how a board rides on the water.

Other materials
Other materials on our radar include bio-based epoxy systems with a higher renewable content than the ones we currently use, and flax fibers that require significantly less resin during lamination. These could reduce the total amount of resin in a board without compromising structural integrity.

Testing new materials is not a quick process. Each option must be evaluated for performance, longevity, and environmental footprint. Sometimes we discover that a promising material works beautifully in theory but does not meet the demands of real-world kiteboarding. That is part of the process.

We currently operate from a rented facility, which limits the renewable energy solutions we can install on-site. This will change when we relocate to a larger facility, where we plan to generate our own solar power and store excess energy in batteries. Until then, we operate on certified green electricity from our provider.

Down to zero
While we cannot yet produce our own electricity, we can make meaningful reductions in how much we use. Every process in kiteboard manufacturing consumes energy, and many of them have room for improvement. One example is our CNC machine, which holds the kiteboard in place with a powerful vacuum pump. This pump consumes a significant amount of electricity. We are actively testing alternative clamping methods that could reduce the pump’s runtime dramatically without affecting precision.

Board pressing is another energy-intensive stage. The heating elements in our press used to run in a way that consumed more power than necessary. By adjusting the way the heating cycles work, we have reduced the press’s energy use by almost 30%. It is a relatively simple change, but it delivers a clear and ongoing benefit.

Lowering energy use is a process of constant refinement. Each step may seem small on its own, but together they form a path toward more efficient and sustainable production. But our goal is clear; to bring the net energy impact of our operations down to zero.