Sustainability and culture: “Ecoblade” to recycle broken maraging steel blades

An interesting project, which goes far beyond the simple concept of sustainability and culture. “Ecoblade” was presented today at the CONI Hall of Honor, the new program of the Italian Fencing Federation which promotes the recycling of broken maraging steel blades, not only to reduce waste and our carbon footprint but also to economically support affiliated companies, athletes and their families. An innovation that places fencing at the forefront of sustainability and culture, through an initiative in which every blade that is no longer usable becomes precious for a challenge that projects us towards a greener and, indeed, sustainable future.

the words

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“It is a source of pride for our Federation to embark on a path that makes Italian fencing a model of sustainability and culture. The Ecoblade project represents the vision of a FIS that continues to look to competitive excellence for international results but also to social commitment to send increasingly important messages to the new generations – the words of the president of Federscherma Luigi Mazzone -. And it is significant that this happens at the end of 2025, a year in which Federscherma won 140 medals between European and World Cups, as well as six World Cups”.

what happens

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“Ecoblade”, launched by the Federal Council and for which the deputy vice-president Daniele Garozzo is the representative, is supported by a strategic partner: Acciaierie Valbruna, a Vicenza-based company leader in the production of special steels, will receive all the broken blades from the FIS, which will be recovered in special collection points during the competitive season, and will take care of the recycling process. The blades will in fact be melted together with other metals to be transformed into stainless steel bars. The proceeds will go to Italian fencing companies.

curali

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“A beautiful project that makes me proud to be part of this federation: the invitation to the kids now is to recycle as much as possible and never throw anything away, give it a go!”, the words of the world team champion in Tbilisi 2025 Luca Curatoli, commenting on the event which saw, among others, the presence of the president of CONI Luciano Buonfiglio, the head of the Department for Sport at the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Flavio Siniscalchi, and the undersecretary for the environment and energy security Claudio Barbaro.

the collection and the stages

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On the occasion of the First National Cadet-Young-Assess Foil and Epee Test, held in Rome last November, a first collection point was set up, marking the beginning of a process that has the ambitious objective of “giving new life” to the approximately 50 thousand blades that break every year during the competitive and training activities of Italian fencing. The next stages of the collection will be Legnano (2nd National Epee Trial from 16th to 18th January), Brescia (2nd National Foil Trial from 23rd to 25th January), Foggia (2nd National Saber Trial from 13th to 15th February), Caorle (Italian Under 23 Championships scheduled from 28th February to 1st March), Piacenza (Italian Championships from Serie A2 to C scheduled from 13th to 16 March) and Riccione (in the long period of competitions in all categories which will start in Romagna on 23 April and end on 14 May). The “Ecoblade” project, born with the vision and ambition of opening a virtuous cycle for fencing and above all to leave a cultural message, is intended above all for younger people. And today’s grand finale was dedicated precisely to the “new protagonists” of the platforms: Mazzone and the president of the Lazio regional committee Claudio Fontana, in fact, to further strengthen the link between sustainability and the fencers of the present and the future, also organized on this occasion the awards ceremony of the “Excellencies of Lazio fencing 2025”, during which the Under 14 and Under 17 athletes were awarded – as well as clubs, managers, technicians and referees of CR Lazio – who stood out for their results and commitment in the 2024/2025 competitive season.