Rip Curl To Introduce Ocena Rubber Across Wetsuit Range

Rip Curl is proud to announce the integration of OCENA® Rubber, a bio-based neoprene alternative developed by leading sportswear manufacturer SHEICO Group, to its wetsuit range.

Starting July 2025, two of our bestselling wetsuit models, the E-Bomb and Dawn Patrol, will be made exclusively with OCENA® rubber. As a certified B Corporation, this milestone reflects Rip Curl’s ongoing commitment to responsible sourcing and manufacturing, without compromising on the performance surfers expect.   

“The introduction of OCENA® is a major leap forward in our efforts to increase the responsible material content of our wetsuits,” said Michael Ray, General Manager of Business Development and Wetsuits at Rip Curl. “It delivers the same warmth, flexibility, and durability as neoprene, making it a true innovation for the surf industry.”   

Leveraging SHEICO’s four decades of rubber foaming expertise, OCENA® is one of the most sustainable alternatives to synthetic rubber available today. Comprising 74% bio-based content, OCENA® is crafted from renewable materials like rubber tapped from 100% Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified plantations, oyster shell powder, and plant-based oils.   

By sourcing from FSC-certified plantations, SHEICO supports fair wages, safe working conditions, and training for rubber farmers in rural communities.   

A key innovation in OCENA® is the inclusion of lower impact carbon black, derived from scrap tyres. This component reduces energy consumption which results in a significant reduction in CO₂ emissions.  

Rip Curl wetsuits made with OCENA® will also use SHEICO’s water-based glues, Aqua-α, to bond the rubber foam to the jersey fabric, reducing the amount of volatile organic compounds emitted as harmful gases from traditional solvent-based adhesives.  

 We’re committed to expanding the use of responsible materials across our entire wetsuit range, with a goal for at least 75% of our wetsuits to be made from responsibly sourced, plant-based neoprene alternatives by 2030.  

Last year, 25% of our wetsuits ordered contained responsibly sourced materials, up from 16% from the previous year. OCENA® rubber will now make up approximately 60% of Rip Curl’s total wetsuit range, marking meaningful progress toward our sustainability target.  

As part of its broader commitment to sustainability, Rip Curl operates industry-leading wetsuit repair centers and a wetsuit recycling program that offers end-of-life solutions for used wetsuits.   

Customers can return any brand of wetsuit to participating Rip Curl stores across Australia, North America, France, Portugal, and Spain for recycling. Since its launch four years ago, the program has diverted over 40,000 wetsuits from landfill.