Ski manufacturer sees Spinnova’s potential
Waste-to-fibre developer Spinnova has announced a new partnership with Finnish ski manufacturer Pusu.
Under the new deal, Pusu will use Spinnova fibres as a reinforcement material in its alpine skis in place of carbon and glass fibres. Spinnova fibres come from renewable resources including wood and waste from leather production.
Pusu has been making skis using sustainable wood since 2016 and says winter-sports enthusiasts are now also keen on sustainable alternatives to non-renewable reinforcement materials such as plastic, glass fibre, carbon fibre and metal blends.
Early tests that the two companies have carried out so far suggest skis containing Spinnova will offer long-lasting performance and durability and, they have said, “improve skiing experience”.
Pusu expects to deliver its first skis reinforced with Spinnova in early 2022. The fibre producer has said composites is a new application area for its materials and that it expects “other exciting opportunities” in composites in the future.
“We’re happy that Pusu saw the potential in our fibre,” said Spinnova co-founder and chief technology officer, Juha Salmela.
