We create change
Innovations that keep the world moving
The way we move is changing – and the materials moving us forward are evolving too. From lighter designs and smarter raw materials to high-performance accessories, BASF innovations are redefining what sports equipment can do and the difference it can make. Because when materials work harder, performance and responsibility are no longer a trade-off.
Redesigned climbing holds
Climbing holds are built to carry a person’s weight, to be grabbed, kicked and pushed to their limits. But what happens when their journey is over? That is the question Ghold set out to answer. Made with BASF’s thermoplastic polyurethane Elastollan®, the French company developed the world’s first fully recyclable climbing holds – rethinking a piece of equipment that had been designed for performance, not for what comes next.
Already used on climbing walls across Europe and on competition routes, the holds are designed as a single-material solution, making them recyclable after use without the need for complex separation. The result is a smarter approach to circular design – one that shows high performance and lower environmental impact can go hand in hand.
One rope for every route
Short of free soloing, a rope is one of the most essential pieces of kit in climbing and now Mammut is rebuilding them for a more circular future. The innovation is in the material.
Mammut’s climbing rope is made with Ultramid® Ccycled®, a BASF material in which recycled feedstock replaces fossil resources in the production process through a certified mass‑balance approach. The best part? It does not compromise safety, durability, or ease of use.
Same trail, lighter footprint
Imagine that the cooking oil used to fry potatoes could be transformed into a backpack. The TRAILCONTROL ZERO 20+ concept by VAUDE turns that idea into reality.
Developed in collaboration with BASF, the backpack is made with Ultramid ZeroPCF, an innovative material designed with a net-zero carbon footprint. In its production, renewable electricity, biomethane, and bio-based raw materials derived from used cooking oil and organic waste replace fossil resources, following a certified mass-balance approach.
The result is a high-performance material that combines sustainability with durability. The fabric also incorporates recycled PET from plastic bottles, while the water-repellent finish is free from fluorocarbons.
* Note: The TRAILCONTROL ZERO 20+ is currently a concept piece and is not available in stores.
Circular materials for urban mobility
Not everyone’s idea of a bike ride involves mud, elevation, and a hydration pack. Some people just need to get across town on their bikes with a bag that survives the daily commute, looks good, and does not fall apart after six months.
The Pendik bike bag from pinqponq is built for exactly that. It works as a versatile 2-in-1, switching effortlessly from your back to your rack. But the real innovation lies within: Ultramid Ccycled, which reduces the use of fossil resources by integrating recycled feedstock from end-of-life tires at the very start of the production process.
The smallest upgrade that changes everything
Most people don’t think much about their inner tube until they get a flat. The Aerothan® bicycle tube came so you don’t need to think about it at all.
Developed together with Schwalbe, it’s made from Elastollan, BASF’s thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), which is up to 100% recyclable. The result? A tube that is not only lightweight but also highly resistant to punctures and built to hold its shape. It’s also easier to install and packs down small when you don’t need it.
With Schwalbe’s take-back system and BASF’s use of recycled raw materials, Aerothan shows how performance TPU can circulate in a material loop.
Smarter bottles for active use
A sports drink bottle is easy to overlook. It has to be lightweight, leakproof, and must not affect the taste of your drink, right? And if it’s sustainable too, wouldn’t that be an extra plus?
Together with its supplier NEXTIS, DECATHLON has designed a new patented hydration flask made with Elastollan from BASF. It reduces odor and taste transfer, is durable and puncture-resistant, and, at the end of its life, is up to 100 percent recyclable without compromising performance. The bottle is designed specifically for active use and produced entirely in Europe.
Next-gen skateboard cores
Skateboards have been made from wood for about as long as anyone can remember. Seven layers of maple pressed and glued, shaped and sanded, it’s a formula that’s worked for decades. But wood has its limits, and a new material is now making a move onto the scene.
Ultramid Expand is a polyamide-based particle foam that opens new possibilities for lightweight skateboard design. It can replace traditional wood cores by combining low density with high mechanical strength.
As a thermoplastic material, it is mechanically recyclable and enables a one‑material board construction, supporting circular design.
