FCS Green Flex Fin gets the EuroSIMA Innovation Award

This year EuroSIMA (European Boardsports Industry Manufacturers Association) and the EuroSIMA Cluster, launched two competitions aimed at stimulating and supporting technological and ecological innovation in the boardsports sector.

The competitions are open to all EuroSIMA members, and aims to assist the development of innovative projects. The competition is judged by a jury of professionals, experts and competition partners who met in September to study applications and select the winners.

On the 2nd of October 2009 the annual EuroSIMA Waterman’s Ball was held in Hossegor and played host to the Industry Awards ceremony. The ceremony honours and celebrates companies, athletes and personalities for their outstanding contribution to the development of sport, business and the culture of surfing in Europe.

The EuroSIMA ECOLOGICAL INNOVATION AWARD, along with 5000 Euros, was presented to FCS for their Green Flex® Fin project, an initiative which introduced a new fin to the surfing industry, made from *post-consumer material.

FCS launched Project Green Flex® earlier this year and received an overwhelming response. The prerequisite for developing the new fin material was that it had to have minimal environmental impact and still perform to the same standards as the widely used Glass Flex material. The new Green Flex® material is different because it derives all of its resin from used carpet tiles that would otherwise become landfill.

“On behalf of SHI and our partners who have worked with us on Project Green Flex®, I’d like to thank EuroSIMA for this award. The prize money will be invested into R&D on other environmentally sustainable products for the surf industry” said John Dummett, CEO of SHI

FCS considers Project Green Flex® the first step in the movement towards producing environmentally conscious products. The project has also been successful in initiating partnerships with other like minded companies who share the same policies and visions with regards to reducing their carbon footprint.

Surf Hardware International (FCS) strongly believes that every business must do what they can to minimize the negative impact of their products and production practices on the planet. The vision is to eventually move all products inline with their Environmental Policy.

* Once a material or finished product has served its intended use and has been diverted or recovered from waste destined for disposal, it is then considered "post-consumer." Having completed its life as a consumer item, it can then be recycled as such.

www.surffcs.com