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Is the regional production of bicycles more sustainable?

BIKE Magazin

 · 17.01.2022

Is the regional production of bicycles more sustainable?Photo: Marius Maasewerd
Is the regional production of bicycles more sustainable?
Many manufacturers want to relocate production back to Germany. Is that more sustainable? And what does the lack of reliability in Asia have to do with it?

More and more manufacturers want to relocate their production from the Far East back to Germany. Sure, regional is more sustainable than global, right? And what does the lack of reliability in Asia have to do with it? We have captured four prominent voices from the bike industry.

Lutz Scheffer, design engineer: "The relocation of production back to Germany has to do with faster availability. In terms of sustainability, however, there is hardly any difference. Although transport is no longer necessary, it only accounts for a fraction. Perhaps compromises make sense. Manufacturers could transport their frames and parts exclusively using container ships that rely on fuel with fewer pollutants."Photo: Colin StewartLutz Scheffer, design engineer: "The relocation of production back to Germany has to do with faster availability. In terms of sustainability, however, there is hardly any difference. Although transport is no longer necessary, it only accounts for a fraction. Perhaps compromises make sense. Manufacturers could transport their frames and parts exclusively using container ships that rely on fuel with fewer pollutants."Jürgen Schlender, Alutech Cycles: "You can't really rely on promises from Asia. That's why we now weld our frames in Germany. When the customer calls me and orders a frame, I look in the warehouse and can reliably give a delivery date. But it won't be truly sustainable until the raw materials are also produced in Europe, because they still come from Asia. In any case, customers like the idea."Photo: Georg GrieshaberJürgen Schlender, Alutech Cycles: "You can't really rely on promises from Asia. That's why we now weld our frames in Germany. When the customer calls me and orders a frame, I look in the warehouse and can reliably give a delivery date. But it won't be truly sustainable until the raw materials are also produced in Europe, because they still come from Asia. In any case, customers like the idea."Christian Gemperlein, Carbon Team: "We produce in Portugal. Less because of sustainability, more because of the short distances and the associated reliability. Production is very different from that in Asia. We have a different processing method and therefore higher quality. The only thing that is really more sustainable is the working conditions, which are at EU level."Photo: HerstellerChristian Gemperlein, Carbon Team: "We produce in Portugal. Less because of sustainability, more because of the short distances and the associated reliability. Production is very different from that in Asia. We have a different processing method and therefore higher quality. The only thing that is really more sustainable is the working conditions, which are at EU level."
Markus Bischoff, Oechsler (3D printing): "The crisis has shown many companies how dependent we are on the Far East. 3D printing in Germany makes companies more flexible and saves them long delivery times. But that's not all. 3D printing allows for special processes - e.g. in terms of customisation. We are currently printing saddle pads for Specialized. Grips, helmets and mudguards are also conceivable in the future. 3D printing is perfect for this."Photo: HerstellerMarkus Bischoff, Oechsler (3D printing): "The crisis has shown many companies how dependent we are on the Far East. 3D printing in Germany makes companies more flexible and saves them long delivery times. But that's not all. 3D printing allows for special processes - e.g. in terms of customisation. We are currently printing saddle pads for Specialized. Grips, helmets and mudguards are also conceivable in the future. 3D printing is perfect for this."
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