ION Journal RE ZRO® Sustainable impact protection

Innovate. Protect. Sustain.

Being out in nature and feeling its raw power is what fuels our passion for adventure. But we’re also aware that the gear we depend on can sometimes add to the very challenges we aim to overcome. At ION, we believe true innovation happens when high performance meets environmental responsibility. That’s the driving force behind our all-new Rush Wing Vest—crafted for wing foilers who expect top-tier safety without compromising on sustainability.

At the core of the Rush Wing Vest is the revolutionary RE ZRO® pad—a breakthrough in material science that’s setting a new standard for protection. It’s the first impact pad of its kind to be biodegradable. Originally developed for the high demands of motorsports, RE ZRO® technology caught our attention while we were creating award-winning mountain bike protection. It's already a key feature in our top-tier Arcon line, providing next-level safety for elbows, knees, chest, and back. Now, it’s raising the bar for water safety gear too.

Rush Wing Vest ION RE ZRO Pad

Reliable Protection

Shear-thinning

RE ZRO’s proprietary technology safeguards riders by allowing its molecular bonds to fracture upon impact. This process dissipates energy as heat and sound—a phenomenon known as shear-thinning. Immediately after impact, the supermolecules recombine, effectively resetting the material back to its original RE ZRO® state.

Rush Wing Vest shear-thinning protection

Certified Biodegradable*

The process of breaking down RE ZRO®

The biodegradation process only begins once the product is placed in a landfill environment—one that is rich in microbes and low in oxygen. So don’t worry about your gear disintegrating during your session. In this special setting, microbes and fungi colonise the material at the molecular level, feasting on the carbon in the plastic and leaving behind only biogas and biomass.

* RE ZRO® TPE material has been independently tested and achieves the biodegradability of 14.14% over 90 days in accordance with ASTMD5511-18 & ISO 15985  2014. For full terms see www.re-zro.com/terms

»Our expectation for impact protection is extremely high, therefore we want to rule out any scenarious where safety could be compromised. This high standard to ourselves as well as the desire to develop into a more sustainable direction was a challenge to overcome. With RE ZRO we found a partner that checks off all boxes without compromises, delivering reliable & safe protection that meets & exceeds our expectations.«

— Robert Scheibenzuber, Senior Manager Product & Design
A conversation with RE ZRO®

Reimagining impact protection

When it comes to sustainable innovation in protection gear, RE ZRO® is leading the charge. But make no mistake—RE ZRO® materials aren’t your typical “bioplastics.” In fact, that’s an important distinction. While bioplastics are often presented as a sustainable alternative, RE ZRO® has taken a different route. Their materials are engineered to biodegrade specifically in landfill environments—acknowledging the unfortunate reality that many products still end up there.

This honest, practical approach to sustainability goes hand-in-hand with broader efforts: from sourcing materials locally to extending product durability and developing thoughtful end-of-life solutions. RE ZRO® encourages both brands and consumers to play an active role—by supporting better products and pressuring local systems and industries to evolve. As they put it, buying decisions matter. When consumers demand better, brands are pushed to step up.

From the start, RE ZRO® set out with two clear goals: develop cutting-edge protection that keeps athletes and riders safe, and ensure those products also protect the environment. They’re still on that mission—and thinking even bigger. For RE ZRO®, biodegradability is an essential safety net, especially as global recycling systems continue to fall short. But their true ambition is circularity. The ultimate vision? To have products returned at the end of their life and reused in new gear. That’s the future they’re working toward—so, as they say, watch this space.

When asked what needs to change within the protection industry to meet the environmental challenges ahead, RE ZRO® doesn’t shy away from the complexity. The issues span far and wide—from CO2 emissions to plastic pollution and deforestation. Their focus, however, is clear: tackling end-of-life plastics. Most traditional body protection is made from polyurethane—a material that’s difficult to recycle, creates significant waste during production, and involves harmful chemicals. RE ZRO® is out to prove that a modern, cleaner alternative exists. But progress also depends on education—helping people understand when to replace worn-out gear and how to dispose of it responsibly.

So why sustainable impact protection? Because the industry has spent too long relying on outdated materials just because they’re cheap and easy to produce. Riders are asking for more. They want gear that delivers high performance while reducing environmental harm—and that’s exactly the kind of change RE ZRO® is driving.

ION sustainability materials

So, what inspired RE ZRO® to take on such a big challenge?

Passion—and a deep connection to the sports they serve. “Our team is made up of riders through and through—motorcycle racers, snowboarders, kiteboarders, adventure athletes. We knew what needed to change, both in terms of user experience and sustainability. So we built something we could believe in. And we’re having a blast doing it. That’s the best part.”

»Knowledge transfer is an important factor in the development for protective gear. For this project we were able to collaborate with our colleagues from ION Bike who have been experts in heavy-impact protection for mountain biking for more than a decade. They started to work with RE ZRO more than two years ago and extended their high end protection line called „Arcon“ from only knee pads to chest & back protection as well as elbow pads.«

— Julia Keller, Product Manager