Biobased ski wax originated from the forest
The ban on PFAS in competitive skiing has created an urgent need for high‑performance and sustainable alternatives to conventional glide waxes. PFAS‑based products have long dominated the market due to their extreme hydrophobicity and friction‑reducing properties, but also pose serious risks to the environment and human health.
This project aims to verify the potential of bio‑based and biodegradable materials that can mimic the functional performance of PFAS in ski waxes and provide products completely free from PFAS and fossil‑based ingredients.
The project is an early‑stage idea verification involving the development and modification of hydrophobic derivatives from biomass with suitable properties such as melting point and solubility for ski wax formulations. Other hydrophobic PFAS‑free components from different sectors will be evaluated in solid and liquid waxes.
Prototype waxes will be tested under realistic conditions in snow glide experiments, providing feedback on technical performance and commercial potential. The project creates opportunities to replace fossil‑based and persistent chemicals with renewable materials with lower environmental and health impacts and can contribute to a long‑term sustainable material transition within the ski sport. It may also act as a catalyst for the development of PFAS‑free high‑performance materials in other applications and aligns with Biosociety’s objectives of a competitive bioeconomy based on renewable, bio‑based resources.
