Ecotality Life

Hoping to shred the gnar but concerned your traditional polyurethane foam board is increasing carbon footprint? There is a new solution from Home Blown surf blanks in San Diego, they have created the Biofoam surf blank. Unlike a traditional petroleum based surf board, Biofoam is made up of 50% agricultural products. New technologies and chemistry has enabled them to make biomaterials from plant oils that mimic those of petrochemicals for a similar cost.

From the website:

“A preliminary life cycle analysis indicates that using Biofoam results in 36% less global warming emissions, a 61% reduction in non-renewable energy use, and a 23% reduction in total energy demand. Studies also show that foams containing the biomaterials tend to take longer to discolor under UV. Foams with biomaterials have finer and more uniform cell structure than those made with petrol-based materials. The foams of biomaterials also exhibit superior hardness relative to foams with conventional materials.”

With the number of surfers out there and the organizations committed to saving the oceans and cleaning the beaches, maybe it’s time to take action on another front. The petroleum based surf board industry is almost in direct contrast to a lot of the messages that these organizations put forth. If there are enough of these boards in the line-up and people start to take notice it can only be a good thing.

Check out the website and look for Biofoam at your local shop.

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