Sustainability
High-performance lightweighting for a sustainable future
At Bcomp, we harness the power of innovation to drive sustainable solutions in mobility. Committed to sustainability, we focus on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) pillars to not only enhance our own operations but also empower our partners and customers. Our advanced materials and technologies aim to significantly reduce environmental footprints and promote cleaner, greener industries.
Environment
Social
Governance
Environment
Our operations
We are proud to be headquartered in the eco-friendly Bluefactory district of Fribourg, Switzerland. As part of this low-carbon innovation hub, we are anchored in an environment surrounded by 35+ companies. Within the Bluefactory district, our operations run solely on 100% renewable energy sources. Our production is also located in Fribourg. While the building has already served as home for different production companies over many years, we are supporting our landlord’s initiatives to further improve energy efficiency of the facilities.
Supply chain
The harvesting and processing of flax takes place locally in the rural areas it was grown in. Using European flax sourced through our well established and transparent supply chain, allows us to support the economic and social structure in rural areas thanks to the large and skilled workforce required to sustain the flax production. While we have limited control over our supply chain’s carbon footprint, we are committed to achieve the ISCC+ certification.
Our flax is sourced from Western Europe by companies who adhere to the EuropeanFlax® certification scheme. This program guarantees 3rd party verified traceability, compliance with International Labour Organisation rules and product composition.
Our products
Circularity of biogenic CO2
Flax plants absorb solar energy and CO2 during their growth thanks to a process called photosynthesis. Part of that CO2 is stored within the plant for its entire life and the life of its components. If a compostable material like a plant is left to biodegradation it emits the stored CO2 back into the atmosphere. The exact same thing happens, if the compostable material is instead incinerated in a waste-to-energy facility. The difference being that valuable energy can be recovered from the incineration process which can be used for a multitude of things like heating and production of electricity. This process is part of the natural circularity of CO2 that has been part of our world since the earliest of days.
On the other hand, we see the linear emission of non-biogenic CO2 coming from geologic reserves. If any fossil-based material or energy is incinerated or used, we also emit CO2 to the atmosphere. The significant difference is however, that this CO2 has been stored in geologic reserves for thousands if not millions of years and is now contributing to an oversaturation in the atmosphere.
Reduced carbon footprint compared to market alternatives
Replacing carbon fibres with ampliTex™ reduces the CO2 footprint by nearly 80%, but results in a slight weight increase for the part. Combining ampliTex™ with the powerRibs™ reinforcement grid enables matching weight and flexural stiffness of a thin-walled monolithic carbon fibre part, while lowering cradle-to-gate CO2 emissions by up to 85%. Replacing traditional epoxy resins with bio-based resins further reduces the CO2 emissions. For example, using a resin made of sugar cane waste (PFA), enables up to 96% reduction of the CO2 emissions caused by the production of the part.
Circular opportunities with our natural fibre solutions
Bcomp’s thermoplastic ampliTex™-PP and powerRibs™-PP products offer circular opportunities to large-scale industries. Production scrap which is inevitable can be recycled into composite pellets which serve as a new base material for different applications (injection moulding) or can be fed back into the production process for a different step like the moulding of directly attached fasteners and local reinforcements.
Lightweight
-50%
Reducing weight of entire components by up to 50%*
* depending on the specific application
Lower CO2 footprint
-85%
Reducing cradle-to-gate CO2 footprint by up to 85%*
* depending on the specific application
Less plastic
-70%
Reducing use of plastic by up to 70%*
* depending on the specific application
Social
Play Naturally Smart
Bcomp strives to create an extraordinary work environment, where employees find themselves in a safe workplace with equal chances and opportunities and are encouraged to live a healthy and active lifestyle. Education is at the base of future innovations and solutions, so Bcomp is contributing by giving lectures at several universities, offering internship opportunities in various fields of the company and collaborating closely with universities and institutions on research projects. By committing to the location in Fribourg and its economic environment, Bcomp is creating local jobs and opportunities. In the office as well as the workshop we strive to keep our consumption responsible. Being part of the Fair Trade Town Fribourg, we strictly recycle and reduce unnecessary consumption and waste where possible. At the same time, we encourage our employees to use responsible means of transportation and enable them to work from home in order to reduce the stress and impact of daily commuting.
Operating by the principle of Play Naturally Smart, the employees of Bcomp are encouraged to pay attention to their work life balance and the importance of freedom, leisure, sports, and hobbies as well as family time. Everyone working at Bcomp is passionate about making a change and is giving their best every day to create high-performance solutions from natural materials for a sustainable future.
Health & Safety
At our organisation, safety is a paramount value that permeates every aspect of our operations. Our unwavering commitment to safety is evident in our ambitious targets and proactive actions. With a zero-accident objective, we strive to ensure a secure workplace for all our employees. Rigorous air quality checks in our production facilities safeguard the well-being of our workforce and the environment. Regular trainings equip our team with the necessary skills to work safely in our workshops. Moreover, our comprehensive health and safety policy outlines stringent guidelines to mitigate risks effectively. Together, these initiatives underscore our unwavering dedication to fostering a safe, healthy, and responsible work environment.
Governance
Our sustainability strategy is seamlessly integrated into our strategy and undergoes regular internal analysis to address climate- and nature-related risks and opportunities. We maintain a robust governance structure to monitor the progress of our sustainability strategy, ambitions, and initiatives. Additionally, we enforce a comprehensive code of conduct for employees and board members, ensuring fair competition and ethical business practices.
Our Board of Directors establishes the strategic direction and approves our overall strategy, which encompasses sustainability. They diligently oversee our progress, including our climate action plan, with its associated risks and opportunities.
Certifications
IATF 16949 Certification
Bcomp achieved the stringent International Automotive Task Force (IATF) 16949 certification during 2022. Being certified by IATF enables Bcomp to access the large scale automotive market.
ISO 14001 Certification
Bcomp is committed to minimising the environmental impact of its products and overall activities. The certification for the ISO 14001 environmental management system was successfully achieved in March 2022.
ISO 9001 Certification
In 2021, we passed the ISO 9001 certification for quality management systems. Based on the company goals and
objectives, the processes, procedures and responsibilities developed within the framework of the ISO 9001:2015 quality management system certification are a testament to our customer centricity and how we strive to deliver the highest quality products and services at all times.
ISCC Plus Certification
In 2023 we achieved the Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) for the powerRibs™ production, proving our commitment to manufacturing a product that meets the highest standards of environmental responsibility. In 2024 we will continue to expand ISCC to ampliTex™.
B Corp Certification
Bcorp serves as a benchmark for progress tracking in sustainability matters in different countries and sectors. In 2023 our impact score was 83.9% compared to an average of 78.1% in Switzerland.
Solar Impulse Efficient Solution
Bcomp’s sustainable lightweighting solutions are awarded the “Solar Impulse Efficient Solution” label by the Solar Impulse Foundation. It is awarded to 1000 clean and profitable solutions, following an assessment made by independent experts.
Sustainability Stories
They trust in our sustainable high-performance solutions to work towards a cleaner future.
Bcomp and Polestar share the same goals, values, and a common mindset to redefine sustainability, quality and performance. In a joint effort we developed the so-called Polestar Signature Weave to bring natural fibre composites into high-volume production as part of the Polestar 3. Compared to conventional plastic trim, this can save more than half of the petroleum-based raw materials, while the material also shines with its unique lightness.
Polestar x Bcomp – The Future of Automotive Design
Since 2020, Bcomp has been collaborating with McLaren Racing and we are incredibly proud to be developing our natural fibre composite technologies for more circular bodywork with one of the most successful teams in motorsport history. The successful collaboration between Bcomp and McLaren Racing continues to open up new possibilities for ampliTex™ and powerRibs™ natural fibre solutions to make the highest-performing F1 cars more sustainable without sacrificing performance.
McLaren Racing’s Circular F1 Car Project
Let’s Decarbonise the World Together!
You want to learn more about how our sustainable lightweighting solutions can help you decarbonise your products, you have a burning question, or you just want to send us some love – then wait no longer and get in touch.