POC launches the Myelin, a brand-new and award-winning helmet that is focused on protecting our planet’s resources as well as cyclists.

The Myelin is POC’s first helmet which has been constructed with 50% recycled material and where each component has been designed for recycling at the end of its life. At first glance it may look like a regular cycling helmet, but behind the Myelin’s clean look hides a host of advanced technical and design details, such as the innovative use of a fabric weave shell, no use of adhesives and a design for deconstruction, which allows the helmet to be separated into individual pieces at the end of its life.

Commenting on the new Myelin, Claes Nellestam, Senior Designer, POC, said , “We wanted to question the idea that safety and sustainability could not obviously co-exist in a helmet. As a protection company our first priority is the safety of riders, but we also place on ourselves an obligation to use our planet’s resources respectfully. So, we wanted to challenge the conventional way of creating a helmet, in particular by starting with recycled materials, how it is manufactured and how it can be deconstructed so as to allow for all the materials to be used again. We are immensely proud of the Myelin as it points to a world where resource use and protection merge naturally and provide even more reasons to ride a bike, which will help us all contribute to better and healthier lives.”

The Myelin is a helmet designed for all cyclists, especially with everyday use and commuting in mind. The ability to simply deconstruct the helmet is achieved thanks to an innovative design and construction.

Half of the materials used in the Myelin are recycled, and are secured together with strategically placed fasteners and a unique recycled fabric weave shell, eliminating the need for adhesives and laminated materials. This allows for the separation of individual pieces of material at the end of the helmet’s life. Once these fasteners are cut the helmet deconstructs into its constituent parts. Importantly it has been designed for deconstruction by anyone, simply, with the use of tools available in most homes.

A perfect illustration of the novel approach to allow the pieces to be separated individually is the new fit system, which is inspired by the snap fit systems seen in baseball caps. It allows riders to fine-tune the helmet fit very simply and as often as needed. In addition, the straps are made in a single piece that crosses the entire helmet to keep everything secure, instead of using anchors immoulded in the EPS.

The Myelin is a big idea; it is also a wonderful illustration of POC’s ‘Whole Helmet Concept™’ where each component and part of the helmet has been designed in a way to enhance the whole. In Myelin’s case the idea is to use our planet’s resources respectfully, to take inspiration from a circular economy approach and to lead from the front with new ideas and innovations.

POC’s Sustainability Manager, Marie Sjöström, added – “We want to provide the highest level of protection to cyclists and our natural resources. By adopting a resource-efficient bio-circular perspective we have clear ideas on what resources are needed to fill the function of our products, choosing preferred materials such as recycled or bio-based. But also choosing materials that will maximize the product’s durability, lifetime and recyclability. Our goal is to keep improving, but we also want to show what is possible and lead the way in helping us all use resources in the best way possible.”

The Myelin is an important step forward, but there is a lot to continue to do and POC’s ambition is to transfer as much of its research and testing in sustainable-resource use into more products over time. The principle is to have the highest level of safety and protection whilst looking to minimize as much of the negative impact as possible.

In developing the Myelin, POC has presented a view of what is possible. Creating products that can be designed with resource efficiency and durability in mind, inspiring all to see the potential ahead. Find out more by visiting www.pocsports.com.