The project brings together Verretex, MADskis and Suter Kunststoffe and has a total budget of CHF 216,882, including CHF 100,000 of SPEI's sustainable collaborative projects programme. The project will run for 12 months.

As the Vaud-based cleantech startup COO and Co-Founder Lidia Rocoffort de Vinnière explains to Startupticker.ch, the objective is to develop and validate high-performance composite skis incorporating Verretex recycled glass fiber nonwovens, with a particular focus on vibration absorption and stabilization, while maintaining the required mechanical performance.

The project will include the development of different nonwoven architectures, composite validation with Suter Kunststoffe, and the production of several pairs of prototype skis by MADskis for real-condition testing on snow. It will also explore circularity approaches, including reducing virgin glass fiber use and extending ski lifetime through refit and reconditioning.

Off to a promising start

And the initial results are promising, as Lidia Rocoffort de Vinnière explains: “Our collaboration with MAD Skis has already demonstrated what can be achieved: MAD Skis has manufactured a prototype ski incorporating recycled fiberglass supplied by Verretex.” adding: "This new project gives Verretex the opportunity to go further: improving the material, validating performance, strengthening the supply chain and demonstrating how recycled reinforcement can become a genuine alternative to virgin glass fiber."

(www.startupticker.ch)