BLACKROLL: Where health meets climate action
Promoting health, wellbeing, and performance is the cornerstone of BLACKROLL's mission.
Back when it all began in 2007, connective tissue fibres, known as fascia, were still largely unknown, as was the tension-relieving effect of the first fascia foam roller. The "rolling pin for connective tissue" was dubbed BLACKROLL due to the colour of the expanded polypropylene (EPP) the product was made from. EPP was a material associated with the automotive sector and at that time was available only in black. Today, the foam roller is available in many colours, and the name BLACKROLL is known around the world.
The founders of BLACKROLL made sustainability a central concern of the company from its early days, recognising that environmental changes have both direct and indirect effects on human health.
Since 2021, BLACKROLL has been working with ClimatePartner to calculate the carbon footprints of the company and selected products, aiming to identify the areas with the highest potential for reduction. Since 2023, BLACKROLL's fascia tools and training bands have been ClimatePartner certified. This means that BLACKROLL has defined reduction targets and continuously implements reduction measures, both at the company level and for its products.
Reduction measures at the corporate level
BLACKROLL has already achieved an ambitious goal by switching to renewable energy to cover 100% of its electricity needs. Furthermore, the company has implemented various energy efficiency measures and ensures that decision-makers are directly involved in climate action activities. In addition, BLACKROLL has included climate aspects in its procurement guidelines and works closely with its suppliers to involve them in its strategic climate action efforts.
Local production, durable materials
About 96% of BLACKROLL’s products are made in Germany, using an environmentally friendly process that utilises only steam and pressure. EPP, the primary material for the fascia tools, is a by-product of crude oil extraction and is characterised by its durability, shape stability, and resource efficiency – it is mostly air and is fully recyclable. This allows for its reintroduction into the raw material cycle.
Currently, BLACKROLL is working with its producers to increase the amount of recycled material in its products. The black fascia products already contain up to 30% recycled material. At the same time, the company is evaluating ways to close the raw material cycle itself, to promote an even more sustainable production process.
Efficiency, quality, and sustainability are the core principles of BLACKROLL. As part of this, the company also funds certified climate projects from the ClimatePartner portfolio to the amount of its unabated emissions.
Funding renewable energy and protecting our oceans
Because a portion of its products is made from plastic, BLACKROLL finances a project for global ocean protection that promotes the collection of ocean-bound plastic in coastal regions. Additionally, the company funds a project to promote renewable energy in Asia.
Through its climate-ID pages for the EPP fascia tools and training bands, as well as the BLACKROLL website, the company transparently reports on its climate action strategy, ongoing measures, and reduction targets.
„Wir machen viele Dinge richtig, aber wir sind nicht perfekt. Und wir sind uns einig, dass wir etwas tun können für faires und regeneratives Wirtschaften sowie Klimaschutz. Nachhaltige Regeneration ergibt sich, wenn wir Verantwortung übernehmen. Als Unternehmen verantwortlich zu sein, aber gleichzeitig auch die Eigenverantwortung zu stärken, ist eine Aufgabe, die wir sehr ernst nehmen. Denn egal welches Thema es ist, es fängt alles bei DIR an. Auch wenn’s schön klingt und sich gut verkauft. Aber es ist nicht nachhaltig. Deshalb übernehmen wir Verantwortung für deine Eigenverantwortung. Und für unsere CO2-Emissionen übernehmen wir Verantwortung, in dem wir u.a. in zertifizierte Klimaschutzprojekte von ClimatePartner investieren.“