HanfSki research project

Circular ski manufacturing from hemp, bio-resin and waste streams

Since our founding at SPURart, we have pursued the goal of offering an environmentally friendly alternative to industrial ski manufacturing. Our production takes place locally, and we manufacture only on demand in order to avoid unnecessary industrial overproduction and thus keep energy and resource consumption to a minimum. However, our long-term goal goes beyond this: we aim to develop circular skis that are not only durable but also ecologically sustainable. To achieve this goal, we are part of the HanfSki research project, which started in January 2023 and runs until January 2026.

As a committed partner in the consortium, we contribute our experience as ski manufacturers and GFRP (glass fiber–reinforced plastic) experts to help establish hemp fiber as a sustainable alternative to glass and carbon fibers. Hemp fiber is highly promising and, due to its natural properties, has the potential to replace conventional materials. One of our tasks within the project is to test hemp fiber for its suitability, properties, processability, and structural stability, and to further develop it so that it can be integrated into a fully rideable ski. Initial successes have already been tested on snow.

Together with a consortium of Austrian GFRP experts, scientists, and partners from the ski industry, we are developing solutions that can meet the growing demands for ecological sustainability. Currently, environmentally harmful materials such as fiberglass and fossil-based epoxy resins are commonly used in ski and snowboard production. Our approach combines the renewable raw material hemp, environmentally friendly resins, and waste materials to create a true circular system in ski production. The goal is to reduce the CO₂ footprint of our skis by up to 50% and to set new standards for sustainable materials.

This innovation could also be applied in other industries that rely on fiber-reinforced plastics, thereby contributing to environmental protection beyond the ski industry.