Our Environment | Focus Topics
Consistent Circularity by Conviction
The way we manage resources today will significantly shape the future of our planet—and our industry.
In both the cycling world and the broader context of the mobility transition, high-quality, durable products play a key role. But that alone is no longer enough. A linear model based on the “take – make – waste” principle is neither sustainable nor responsible.
At Supernova, circularity is more than a buzzword. It’s a concrete response to the urgent challenges of our time: resource scarcity, pollution, and rising waste volumes.
Our products are made from valuable materials—aluminum, electronics, plastics—whose extraction comes with significant ecological impact. That’s why we see it as our responsibility to use these materials as efficiently as possible, minimize their consumption, and maximize product longevity.
Our Responsibility
Use materials efficiently
Minimize material usage
Maximize product lifespan
The most significant environmental impacts of our business currently lie in the use of primary raw materials, the reliance on non-recycled packaging, and the generation of electronic waste at the end of our products’ life cycles.
At the same time, circular strategies—such as long-lasting design, modular repairability, and the use of secondary materials—offer clear opportunities: we can reduce environmental impact, improve economic efficiency, lower material costs, and increase customer satisfaction.
We know that circular strategies require a shift in mindset—in design, in production, in logistics, and in how we communicate with partners and customers. But they pay off. For us, for our partners—and for the environment.
That’s why we are fully committed to embedding circularity throughout the company. Not out of obligation, but out of conviction.
Our Ambition
Our Ambition is nothing less than a fundamental transformation: We aim to evolve Supernova into a company that consistently acts according to the principles of the circular economy.
Our understanding of circular economy is based on the ESRS E5 standard: circularity means more than recycling. It is an economic system in which the value of products, materials, and resources is preserved for as long as possible—through durability, reuse, repairability, and resource efficiency.*
For us, an ecologically sustainable, circular production model is not a fixed state but an ongoing journey. We are following this path guided by our three core principles: Design. Quality. Sustainability. Sustainable design and product quality are foundational to our work.
We align with the Ecodesign principles of the German Environment Agency. (Link to Ecodesign Kit) These help us design products that are durable, repairable, resource-efficient, low in harmful substances, recyclable, and—where possible—made from renewable raw materials.
* ESRS E5-Standard, ESRS Glossar
We don’t view this transformation in isolation, but as a core element of our environmental strategy. A functioning circular system directly supports our climate goals (link to Chapter 5.1: Climate Action) and energy goals (link to Chapter 5.2: Energy Use)—by reducing material consumption, lowering emissions, and closing material loops.
In short: our vision is to develop exceptional, future-ready products within a future-ready economic system—and a sustainable, circular production model is key to that vision.
Our main materials
The main materials used include aluminum, polycarbonate, electronics, copper, and various plastics. In 2024, the total volume of these processed materials amounted to approximately 24 metric tons, with aluminum—especially in front lights—accounting for up to 50 % of the product weight.
Packaging materials
Packaging materials also represent a relevant category of resource inflows. We use different packaging types for transport in both B2B and B2C channels—from FSC-certified cardboard and tinplate cans to conductive plastic trays. Initial quantity assessments show, for example, that over 5 tons of corrugated cardboard were used for B2C packaging. A standardized analysis of all packaging materials used across the supply chain is currently being prepared.
Additional resource inflows
Additional resource inflows stem from equipping and operating our site—including assembly, repair, IT infrastructure, and warehousing. The relevance of these inflows to our circularity strategy is currently under review.
Outflows
On the outflow side, our long-lasting products are central. Our front and rear lights, as well as mounts, are designed for circularity: they are built for long durability (5-year warranty) and repairability (10 years from production), feature recyclable aluminum housing components, and are designed for a service life of over ten years. Some limitations still exist regarding the recyclability of certain plastics and electronics.
Recycled content shares and certified documentation
Recycled content shares and certified documentation for materials used are not yet systematically tracked. Likewise, we do not yet operate our own take-back systems for end-of-life products. Currently, product returns at end-of-life are handled through existing industry channels. As for packaging materials, we already avoid plastics wherever possible and ensure that packaging is recyclable and FSC-certified.
waste report
Our current waste report shows positive developments: Between 2023 and 2024, total waste volume was reduced by around 24 %. The share of recycled waste remained stable at 61 %, while 39 % was thermally recovered. The largest waste categories include packaging waste (cardboard, plastic), office waste, and production scraps (aluminum, copper cables).
In summary:
We have already taken key steps toward circularity—particularly by focusing on high value retention through the design of long-lasting products combined with a long-standing repair service.
At the same time, we are working intensively to improve our data systems, establish design guidelines, and further develop our packaging and end-of-life strategies. Because for us, solid data is the foundation of real progress.
Our circulatory strategy - goals, policies and the next steps
To conserve resources and close material loops, Supernova pursues a systematic circular economy strategy. Our goal is to design products, packaging, and processes so that materials remain in circulation for as long as possible—through durable design, targeted take-back systems, and high-quality recycling.
The following five policy approaches guide our actions and provide structure to our work:
1. Product Design & Material Selection
We design our products with the future in mind: durable, repairable, modular, and recyclable. By 2030, all new developments will be systematically designed according to Ecodesign principles. Even today, we are increasingly focusing on pure-grade materials, avoiding critical substances, and incorporating recycling requirements as early as the design phase. Our aim is to increase the recycled content and recyclability of our product components—while reducing problematic materials to zero.
2. Packaging
By 2030 at the latest, all product and transport packaging at Supernova will be recyclable or reusable. We already rely on mono-materials, renewable raw materials, recycled content, and reusable systems—especially in the B2C sector. Non-recyclable plastics, composite packaging, and unnecessary outer packaging are systematically eliminated.
3. Procurement & Material Sourcing
Our procurement strategy follows the principle: Circular First – Virgin Last. By 2030, at least 30% of materials used in new products should come from secondary sources. Circularity criteria—such as origin, recycled content, and recyclability—will play a greater role in supplier evaluation.
4. Take-Back, Reuse & Recycling
We are working to establish voluntary take-back systems for products and packaging—in both B2B and B2C channels. Returned items will be inspected and, where feasible, refurbished and reused. Non-reusable components and materials will be sorted and recycled to the extent possible. Specific targets for product return, reuse, and recycling rates will be set as part of our formal policy in 2025.
5. Waste Policy
Our waste policy aims for a high recycling rate and minimal waste. We sort all waste streams wherever possible and route them into high-quality recycling or recovery. By 2030, we aim to achieve a high rate of material recycling and significantly reduce thermal recovery—with zero landfill disposal. Waste volumes, recycling rates, and weak points will be tracked, analyzed, and used for continuous improvement.
Next Steps
In the coming years, we will focus on putting these policies into practice—through clear KPIs and targets, process adjustments, improved data collection and monitoring, supplier and purchasing requirements, Ecodesign specifications, and staff training. All targets and measures will be reviewed regularly, updated to meet new regulatory requirements, and integrated into a central ESG controlling and monitoring system.
Our Actions
Our past and planned activities are broadly aligned with the goals of the ESRS E5 standard on circular economy—from resource-efficient design to packaging reduction and the development of circular processes.
The following sections highlight selected actions—past, present, and future.
Concrete measures
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Measures Under Planning
In the coming years, we plan to further systematize our circular economy efforts—across product design, packaging, take-back systems, reuse, recycling, and waste treatment—and align them more closely with our climate goals.
Next steps include:
- Developing measurable targets and KPIs for circular practices
- Building structured material and waste monitoring
- Embedding our circular policies into all relevant processes and departments
- Introducing EcoDesign criteria for all new developments
- Piloting voluntary take-back systems for selected product lines
- Establishing monitoring for packaging and recycled content
These expanded policies and targets will be formulated by the end of 2025 and published starting in 2026.
For us, this is the logical next step on our path toward a circular economy—with high-quality products that conserve resources and take full responsibility across their entire lifecycle.
Learning points for the future
The transition to becoming a circular company is not a linear process. It requires vision, the courage to change—and the willingness to learn. Three key insights guide us on this path and shape our future actions:
Aha! Moments … What We’ve Learned in the Area of Circular Economy
“Plastic-free” is a powerful goal—but not an absolute one
With our “Plastic-Free” campaign, we made a clear statement: we want to systematically eliminate unnecessary plastics from our packaging—both in communications with suppliers and in customer shipments. However, during implementation we learned that there are situations in which plastics cannot (yet) be fully replaced—for example, when protecting sensitive components during sea freight. This realization doesn’t change our ambition—but it helps us design measures that are realistic and effective. “Plastic-free” remains our goal—not as a dogma, but as a direction that allows for nuanced, differentiated solutions.
Ecodesign is not just circularity—it’s also climate action
We’ve realized: our design decisions affect much more than just material selection. Ecodesign principles such as durability, repairability, and material efficiency also influence the CO₂ footprint of our products—especially during the use phase. This insight makes one thing clear: our circularity and climate goals must not be viewed in isolation. They need to be coordinated, integrated, and developed together. Only then can we achieve real environmental impact—across the entire product life cycle.
Lifecycle data requires new skills
By creating our first Product Carbon Footprints (PCFs), we’ve gained a valuable tool for holistic product evaluation. At the same time, we’ve learned: dealing with lifecycle data is complex. System boundaries must be defined, data consolidated, impact relationships understood, and insights interpreted across teams. This was a major aha moment for us—it showed that sustainable product development requires more than good intentions. It needs new skills, tools, and collaboration.
Products built to last – with up to 5 years warranty and min. 10 years repair service
Certified CO2 offsetting of transport emissions (e.g. DHL GoGreen Plus / UPS CO2 Mitigation)
PVC free products and avoidance of plastic waste
Green electricity and proWind-Gas Mix from GreenPlanet Energy
Fleet consists of E-vehicles or wheels
Transport packaging, FSC certified + recyclable