Ingo, mechanical engineer and developer of em² sailing technology, explains in the Economic Forum how our em² brand takes care to protect our environment.
Sailing in itself is a ‘fossil-free water sport’, which already fulfils the ecological aspect very well with the wind as a propulsive force. Of course, we know that it remains a pipe dream to sail completely without an ecological footprint. But it is our motivation and passion to constantly think about how em² can minimise its ecological footprint. We are not ‘greenwashing’ because it is fashionable at the moment, but we really want to act sustainably. Here are some thoughts on how we do this.
It starts with small things
Of course em² works with 100% green electricity. A large part of it is generated from wind energy, and as sailing enthusiasts, we are of course very much in favour of this.
Our money is managed ecologically, which is by no means a matter of course in today’s financial world. It was therefore only logical for em² to choose Triodos Bank as our house bank. For many years, Triodos Bank has been investing and engaging exclusively in sustainable projects, thereby setting ethical standards in the handling of money. Its exemplary behaviour made it the winner of the German Sustainability Award 2024 for good reason.
em² specialises in sailing with small paddle boats, kayaks and canoes. Less resource consumption for the hobby of sailing is not possible! We give paddle boats a second use. If you have a canoe, you don’t need a sailboat, because em² has the sails for your canoe.
For production, em² uses certified wood with a certificate of origin, because no rainforest should be cut down for our products.
We are currently in the process of replacing the varnish previously used to seal the wooden parts with more environmentally friendly oils.
Keep it simple
We are always focussed on making our products simple. Even during the development of em² products, we think about how we can realise a component simply, ideally using standard components that are already available. Ease of repair is an important aspect here.
Repairing instead of throwing away
By using standard parts, many of em²’s components can be repaired. There are no predetermined breaking points or planned adolescence in our products. This means our users can enjoy sailing for a long time.
Focus on recycling at em²
Our Summerwind sailing kayak is 100% recyclable! It is made of polyethylene (PE) with aluminium reinforcements. Both materials can be returned to the raw material cycle without loss. By comparison, the hulls of conventional charter yachts are made of polyester resin laminate, which is hazardous waste! In the best case scenario, the hull is disposed of properly after use, which is very expensive and is therefore often avoided. Old yachts often rot somewhere and contaminate their surroundings with toxic substances.
The masts and booms offered by em² are made of aluminium and can be returned to the material cycle after use.
For shipping the products, em² uses recycled packaging materials. This sometimes doesn’t look perfect and is time-consuming, as it makes packing more work. But it is more sustainable.
The masts and booms offered by em² are made of aluminium and can be returned to the material cycle after use.
For shipping the products, em² uses recycled packaging materials. This sometimes doesn’t look perfect and is time-consuming, as it makes packing more work. But it is more sustainable.
‘Made in Germany’ is more than just a label for em²
Our production and most of our suppliers are based in Germany and the EU. This is a matter close to our hearts and has been anchored in em²’s company philosophy from the very beginning. Production stays here! In this way, em² ensures short transport routes and minimises CO₂ emissions. It is important to us to have a direct line with personal contacts to our suppliers, because if adjustments or changes to the products are necessary, we can communicate directly and thus avoid errors. This not only protects the environment and makes work easier for em², but also strengthens the local economy and maintains jobs in our country. As a customer, you benefit from this because our proximity means we can respond quickly to your wishes.
Longevity as a resource-saving approach
Our sailing canoes – like all our products – are designed for longevity. The em² sails are a good example of this.They are sewn by hand and are elaborately reinforced at key points.The sailcloth used is very robust.This makes our sails extremely durable.None of our customers has ever had to replace a sail because it was worn out.
The same applies to the boats that em² equips with its rigs.Some folding boats fitted with our sails are already 60 years old. This conserves resources and reduces waste.
But the longevity of the products naturally has two sides: For you as a customer, this means: invest once, use for a long time. For em² as a manufacturer, consistently focussing on high quality means that you buy new products from us less often. We deliberately avoid short-term profit, because the em² brand is committed to sustainable values – for em², quality and longevity take precedence over quick sales.
The direct line to you
We know from experience that personal contact with us is very important for sailors! You can visit us at the events at any time.That way we can find out together which boat suits you perfectly.We avoid bad purchases, you get exactly the right boat and there is no unnecessary back-and-forth.Your feedback is worth its weight in gold for us and helps us to improve.
With these steps, em² wants to contribute to a world worth living in and make environmentally friendly water sports possible for many.This process is never finished and we are constantly working to reduce our ecological footprint.As an em² customer, you should have a good feeling when using our sailing products and know that the fun of sailing with em² is in harmony with nature.
With this in mind
Mast and sheet break, see you on the water.
