Spinnova enters composite markets with premium alpine skis
SUSTAINABLE MATERIAL COMPANY SPINNOVA MAKES ITS DEBUT IN COMPOSITES IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SKI MANUFACTURER PUSU. IN PUSU X SPINNOVA®️ ALPINE SKIS, CARBON AND GLASS FIBRES ARE REPLACED WITH SPINNOVA®️.
Composites is a new application area for Spinnova, as the SPINNOVA® fibre has until now been demonstrated in apparel and interior design applications. Spinnova and Finnish ski maker PUSU today announce their partnership and pre-sales of skis strengthened with SPINNOVA® materials. Consumers can sign up for pre-sales at PUSU’s webshop, and deliveries of the first skis are expected to take place in early 2022.
The products’ key features are high performance, sustainability and functional design. The sustainable SPINNOVA® material is laminated to the PUSU ski woodcore to replace carbon and glass fibres. Based on vigorous testing, initial results show that SPINNOVA® reinforced skis improves skiing experience and provides long-lasting performance and durability. Moreover, SPINNOVA® materials are safer to process than conventional composite materials.
Spinnova’s CTO and co-founder Juha Salmela
"It’s been clear to us since the beginning that our fibre can be used in multiple ways. This is a great example of how SPINNOVA® fibres can be used in composites, and there are plenty of other exciting opportunities in the composites area in the future."
– It’s been clear to us since the beginning that our fibre can be used in multiple ways. This is a great example of how SPINNOVA® fibres can be used in composites, and there are plenty of other exciting opportunities in the composites area in the future. We’re happy that PUSU saw the potential in SPINNOVA® fibre as well. We expect to create sustainable skis without compromising excellent performance, says Spinnova’s CTO and co-founder Juha Salmela.
PUSU has been making skis and snowboards from sustainably sourced wood since 2016, and their philosophy is to maximize the use of natural materials. Ski manufacturing has traditionally relied on non-renewable materials like plastic, glass fibre, carbon fibre and costly metal blends. Winter-loving alpine skiers are now, however, more and more keen on alternatives that contribute to climate change as little as possible.
– We strongly believe that focusing on quality and natural materials creates the best and the most sustainable products for the environment and the user. Working with the SPINNOVA® fibre seems to prove we’re right – we have received outstanding feedback from professional test skiers using PUSU x SPINNOVA® skis, says PUSU founder and CEO Jani Ahvenainen.
There are some 135 million alpine skiers in the world, served by a 1.3 billion USD equipment market that has not seen much in the way of sustainable innovation yet.
Spinnova’s breakthrough technology makes textile fibre out of wood pulp or waste mechanically, with no harmful chemicals, minimal water usage and CO2 emissions. The 100% circular SPINNOVA® fibre does not shed any microplastics to the environment. The first commercial factory producing SPINNOVA® fibre is expected to begin production by the end of 2022.
The ski collaboration is not expected to have a significant impact on Spinnova’s financial performance in 2021-2022.
Further information:
Juha Salmela
Chief Technology Officer
Spinnova
+358 400 788 093
juha.salmela@spinnova.com
Media services
Emmi Berlin
Head of Communications
Spinnova
+358 400 903260
emmi.berlin@spinnova.com
Spinnova – Sustainable textile materials, naturally
Spinnova transforms the way textiles are manufactured globally. Based in Finland, Spinnova has developed breakthrough technology for making textile fibre out of wood or waste, such as leather, textile or food waste, without harmful chemicals.
The patented SPINNOVA® fibre creates zero waste and side streams or microplastics, and its CO2 emissions and water use are minimal. SPINNOVA® materials are quickly biodegradable and circular. Spinnova is committed to using only sustainable raw materials such as FSC certified wood and waste streams.
Spinnova has received awards from e.g. y the Fast Company, ISPO, Scandinavian Outdoor, ANDAM, Monocle and Marie Claire UK.
Spinnova’s shares (SPINN) are listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki First North Growth Market.
SPINNOVA® home: www.spinnova.com
Corporate & IR site: www.spinnovagroup.com
PUSU Skis
PUSU Skis is a Finnish sustainable skis manufacturer. With a background in ski touring and freeriding PUSU Skis produces premium woodcore alpine skis and snowboards for demanding conditions. Through constant development, strategic partnerships and new material innovations, PUSU Skis aims to become the most sustainable manufacturer in the industry. PUSU home: https://pusu.ski
