NICHE SNOWBOARDS IS AWARDED THE ISPO ECO AWARD FOR SUSTAINABLE INNOVATION AND ECO-RESPONSIBILITY
Munich, Germany -March 15, 2012 – Niche Snowboards was awarded the Eco Award for sustainable innovation and
eco-responsibility in the snow sports hardware category for their 2012-13 all-mountain freestyle snowboard model, the Story,
by the leading international sports business network ISPO.
Award recognition was decided by an international jury consisting of journalists, dealers, designers and athletes. Over two
hundred sixty product applications were submitted for consideration.
“The Niche Story Snowboard is a well thought product with carefully selected, sustainable materials such as the FSC certified
wood core and hemp stringers to replace carbon fiber. Critical substances have been removed, such as the surface lacquer, or
replaced with recycled materials,” states Professor Dr. Michael Braungart of Erasmus University in Germany, one of the judges
for the ISPO awards.
Every component of the Story board replaces traditional materials with an environmentally friendlier alternative or recycled
material. The “Snappy Sap” bio resin replaces traditional resins with a flexible and impact resistant blend ofbio materials.
“Hemp Hop” replaces carbon fiber and adds more pop. Fiberglass is replaced with basalt, or volcanic rock, and a bamboo wood
top-sheet replaces the plastic top sheet used on most competitors’ snowboards. The combination of these new eco materials
results in a lighter, more elastic and durable snowboard.
“Niche Snowboards is fully committed to being as eco-friendly as possible. Said Niche Snowboards founder Dustin Morrell.
“Traditional snowboard manufacturing is toxic. We have revolutionized the process with new materials and new construction
technologies that increase performance and quality.”
ISPO, based out of Munich, Germany, is considered the leading international sports business network. ISPO has over 2,000
international corporate members from the Outdoor, Ski, Action und Performance Sports industries. More than 80,000 visitors
from over 100 countries travel to the ISPO tradeshow in Munich every year. The ISPO Award represents a seal of approval for
innovators in the sports business market and will serve as a trend indicator to media, retailers, and consumers.
J~(jrQ I SPO AWARD
Ill Winner 2012
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About Niche Snowboards
Niche is rider-owned and operated in Salt Lake City. Utah. Their snowboards are designed and tested locally in Salt Lake City
and produced in Austria by the industry renowned GST. Niche strives to be at the forefront of innovation, and is focused on
making the highest quality snowboards on the market, while having the smallest ecological footprint. Niche Snowboards are
lighter, snappier and more durable than snowboards made with traditional materials, which also gives an all-around smoother
ride.
TAGS: ISPO, niche snowboards, shred lightly
