Are Bio-Based Resins the Future of Sustainable Carbon Rims?

Carbon fiber rims have long been synonymous with high performance—but they come at an environmental cost. Traditional epoxy resins used in carbon composites are derived from petroleum and are neither biodegradable nor easy to recycle. As sustainability becomes a growing concern within the cycling industry, bio-based resins are emerging as a promising alternative. But can they really match performance expectations while reducing ecological impact?

Let’s explore the science, the advantages, the current limitations, and what the future might hold.

1. What Are Bio-Based Resins?

Bio-based resins are polymer systems made partially or entirely from renewable sources, such as:

Plant oils (e.g. linseed, soybean, castor)

Cellulose derivatives

Lignin from wood pulp

Corn- or sugarcane-derived sugars

Instead of relying on fossil fuels, these resins use biological feedstocks that reduce carbon footprint and offer improved end-of-life options like biodegradability or recyclability.

2. Why Resins Matter in Carbon Rims

In a carbon fiber rim, the resin serves several critical purposes:

Binds carbon fibers into a rigid composite

Distributes stress under load

Provides heat resistance (especially for rim-brake models)

Affects overall ride feel and impact resistance

So switching to a new resin type must preserve—or enhance—these performance attributes to be viable.

3. Benefits of Bio-Based Resins in Cycling Applications

Here’s what makes them appealing for the cycling industry:

Lower Environmental Impact
Bio-resins reduce reliance on fossil fuels and often require less energy-intensive processing.

Reduced Toxicity
Many bio-based epoxies produce fewer VOCs (volatile organic compounds) during manufacturing.

Renewable Raw Materials
Feedstocks can be replenished seasonally, unlike finite petrochemical sources.

Innovations in Recycling
Some newer formulations allow for thermoplastic-style reprocessing, which makes end-of-life recycling more feasible.

4. Performance vs. Petrochemical Epoxies: Can They Compete?

While early generations of bio-resins lagged behind in heat resistance and strength, modern bio-epoxies are catching up. For example:

Bio-based epoxies now offer heat deflection temperatures (HDT) over 150°C, approaching the needs of rim-brake carbon wheels.

Tensile and flexural strengths are improving with hybrid formulations (part-bio, part-synthetic).

Some lab results show comparable stiffness and impact resistance to traditional epoxies.

That said, mass-market adoption is still limited. Most bio-resins remain more expensive and harder to source at scale.

5. Brands and Innovators Leading the Way

A few pioneering brands and suppliers are already testing or offering bio-resin wheelsets:

BIOMAT, Entropy Resins, and GreenPoxy are producing advanced bio-epoxies tailored for sports equipment.

Boutique wheel brands in Europe have started trialing bio-based rims for gravel and urban cycling.

Custom builders are also using bio-resins in one-off rim molds and composite bike parts.

However, no major carbon wheel manufacturer has yet introduced a full production line using 100% bio-based resins—though interest is growing rapidly.

6. The Road Ahead: What Needs to Happen?

For bio-resins to become a mainstream choice in carbon wheels:

Further material testing is needed—especially under real-world fatigue, UV, and thermal stress conditions.

Cost reduction must occur through improved sourcing and manufacturing efficiencies.

Recyclability infrastructure must evolve to support the circular economy.

Consumer demand and regulatory pressure could help drive faster adoption in the cycling industry.

Conclusion: A Greener Future—But Not Overnight

Bio-based resins hold real promise for making carbon rims more sustainable, but the transition will be gradual. For now, they may find their strongest foothold in low-heat applications like gravel, MTB, or e-bike wheels—before progressing into high-performance road and racing models.

As material science improves and the industry looks to reduce its carbon footprint, the next generation of carbon wheels may be just as green as they are fast.

In short: Yes—bio-based resins could be the future of sustainable carbon rims. The real question is not if, but how soon.