Whether for professional athletes or hobby winter sports enthusiasts, waxing skis and snowboards is a crucial factor for better gliding and achieving higher speeds.
The products typically used for this purpose contain per- and polyfluorinated alkanes, known as PFAS. Some of these substances have shown potentially harmful effects in animal studies. As a result, the EU has imposed very low limit values for these substances, and both the International Ski Federation (FIS) and the International Biathlon Union (IBU) have completely banned the use of fluorinated alkanes in their competitions. Scientists at the Laser Zentrum Hannover (LZH), together with ZIPPS Skiwachse GmbH from Waldbrunn, have been working on an alternative: “Green Wax” combined with a novel microstructure on the surface is designed to maintain the enjoyment of skiing without fluorine.
Lasered microstructures for speed
As part of a research project, LZH researchers developed a method to create a specific structuring of the ski surface. Using a laser, they embedded microstructures into the ski running surfaces. In combination with the fluorine-free ski wax newly developed by ZIPPS Skiwachse GmbH, these two innovative advancements provide a smooth skiing experience, reduced friction, and higher speeds.
Tested by professional athletes
The performance of the laser-structured skis was successfully tested on snow by experienced professional skiers – with the German Ski Association as an official testing partner.
About SkiWachs
The SkiWachs project was funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action as part of the Central Innovation Programme for SMEs (ZIM) under grant number KK5111702BR0.