SOÖRUZ: Winner of EuroSIMA's Call for Innovation Projects 2024

SOÖRUZ WINS EUROSIMA'S CALL FOR INNOVATION PROJECTS FOR THE SECOND TIME!

For the second time, Soöruz© has established itself as a benchmark player in sustainable innovation in our industry by winning theEuroSIMA 2024 Innovation AAP. Already a winner in 2020 for its Oysterprene™ neoprene wetsuits, an alternative to traditional neoprene, the La Rochelle-based brand confirms its pioneering status with a large-scale wetsuit recycling project. Soöruz thus becomes the first company to win this prestigious award twice, underlining its ongoing commitment to innovation and eco-responsibility.

 

"This year, we showed up at EuroSIMA with the innovation we've been working on for over 6 years now: recycling wetsuits to give them a second life. We've been padding with neoprene shred for a few years now. This year, we're very proud to come up with a crossfit slab, measuring 1m by 1m, which contains 80% crushed recycled wetsuits and 20% bio-sourced EPDM." Yann Dalibot, co-founder of Soöruz.

 

INNOVATION AT THE HEART OF SOÖRUZ DNA

Since its creation, innovation and research have been an integral part of Soöruz's DNA. The brand is constantly pushing back technological frontiers to create products that meet riders' needs while having minimal environmental impact. Its innovative approach, combining technical performance and eco-design, has positioned Soöruz as a key player in our industry when it comes to sustainability.

In 2020, Soöruz has already made its mark with eco-friendly neoprene wetsuits. Oysterprene is a process made from powdered oyster shells, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional neoprene. The project won initial recognition in theEuroSIMA Call for Innovation Projects. In 2024, the brand continues its momentum with a new wetsuit recycling project.

 

 

"At Soöruz we've made innovation part of the brand's DNA since 2017. We consider that innovation is directly linked to performance, including ecological performance and obviously eco-design. It's all part of the same "innovation pyramid". [That's our point of differentiation," explains Yann Dalibot, co-founder of Soöruz.

 

A PROJECT FOCUSED ON THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY

The innovation that earned Soöruz this new distinction is based on the creation of yoga mats and CrossFit tiles from reused neoprene. Several years ago, the brand set up a collection network for used wetsuits from surf schools, sailing centers and retailers in France and several other European countries. This program enables the reuse of some 30,000 wetsuits a year, which are then crushed and transformed into a Raw Recycling Material (RRM).

 

 

These used suits, once considered difficult-to-treat waste, are now becoming a valuable resource thanks to Soöruz's efforts to reintegrate them into recycled and useful products. The development of the yoga mats and CrossFit tiles is the fruit of many years of research and refinement, in which the company has combined technology and respect for the environment, with the ambition of reusing a material that was previously impossible to recycle in a closed loop.

 

"We set up wetsuit recovery bins throughout our network, as well as in surf, wake and sailing schools. We have recovery partnerships with UCPA centers, for example, and other similar institutions. Last year, this enabled us to collect over 30,000 wetsuits. We recover suits of all brands, as long as they are "quality" suits, because we need a certain quality of material to be able to rework them." Yann Dalibot, co-founder of Soöruz.

 

HIGH VALUE-ADDED PRODUCTS

The two flagship products resulting from this project perfectly embody Soöruz's vision of a circular and responsible economy:

  • The yoga mat, made from 50% recycled neoprene and 50% EPDM (ethylene-propylene-diene monomer), a biosourced rubber. Designed to be both comfortable and durable, it is aimed at wellness and outdoor sports enthusiasts looking for technical products that respect the environment.
  • The CrossFit slab is made from 80% recycled neoprene and 20% natural rubber. Each slab requires up to 25 combinations, enabling a large quantity of neoprene to be reused.

 

These products are distinguished not only by their ecological aspect, but also by their technical performance. Soöruz has combined its research and development skills to offer innovative solutions that meet market requirements while reducing environmental impact.

 

"The cross fit slab is one of the most efficient solutions for suit recycling, as it requires 80% recycled suits. The slab is very heavy, so we can really compress the material to recycle a lot of wetsuits. We also use the insulating qualities and natural softness of neoprene. It's worth noting that for a 400m2 crossfit gym, that's 4,000 recycled suits. I think that if we can get this right, if we can get partners to join us - and we're putting out a call - we could be able to 'clean up' what we produce." Yann Dalibot, co-founder of Soöruz.

 

A LONG-TERM VISION

This second EuroSIMA award testifies to the work and commitment of Soöruz's teams in moving towards a more responsible industry, while maintaining a high level of technical expertise. With its ever more environmentally-friendly solutions, Soöruz is one of the players driving the industry towards more responsible management of materials and resources.

What's more, in a spirit of sharing and collaboration, Soöruz gives access to its innovations to players in our industry, enabling other companies to benefit from these advances and in turn develop more respectful alternatives. This approach is reminiscent of Patagonia©, for example, and underlines the importance of a collective approach to environmental issues.

 

"A few years ago, we won the prize for incorporating oyster shell powder into our wetsuits. The concept was to replace limestone from mines with limestone from recycled oyster shells. We didn't present it this year, but we have another innovation coming this year, our Organic Oysterprene: from 2025, 100% of our wetsuits, from school wetsuits to very high-end wetsuits, will be produced from Organic Oysterprene, a 79%-certified, ultra-high-performance, bio-sourced base. Like Oysterprene, it's a foam we're keeping exclusively for 1 year, after which we'll make it available to the entire market." Yann Dalibot, co-founder of Soöruz.

WELL-DESERVED RECOGNITION

Soöruz demonstrates once again that sustainable innovation is not simply an option, but an inescapable necessity, intrinsic to its DNA and that of our outdoor sports. By evolving in an environment so closely linked to nature, the brand naturally integrates CSR practices into every stage of its development. This approach, in line with the fundamental values of our outdoor sports, resonates with the growing commitments of many players in the sector. The vision of the Soöruz brand confirms that circular and low-impact alternatives are essential to the future of our industry.