Fluorine-free: Top performance and environmental protection on the slopes From amateur to top-level sport: HOLMENKOL has a complete collection of environmentally friendly waxes
21.01.2021Cross-country skiers want to glide quickly and easily across the slopes. But there is more involved. Nature and responsibility are involved. Thanks to HOLMENKOL, they can also be combined. For winter 2021/22, the ski wax manufacturer presents the FF range, completely fluorine-free waxes for competitive sport. Thus, HOLMENKOL is vigorously pursuing the path of sustainability, which it embarked upon years ago in the leisure area of environmentally friendly ski waxes. The company now has a complete collection of sustainable ski waxes.
Cross-country skiers know what it means to enjoy nature. With every metre they glide across the slopes, they do exactly that. HOLMENKOL supports them here with the right waxes for every area of use. In the process, the world’s first SWAN eco-certified ski wax manufacturer assumes responsibility towards nature. The degradable Natural range is aimed at all who enjoy sport in their spare time. The new FF wax range guarantees top performance in competition and does not use fluorine at all.
Fluorine ban: “It goes completely in line with our thinking”
Fluorine waxes have been on the market since 1980. In the past four decades, they have been viewed as the guarantor of top speed. This is because fluorine, specifically certain fluorocarbon compounds, increases the slipperiness of the cross-country ski considerably. However, they are not degradable, cause harm to people and the environment and can get into the groundwater. In 2020, the European Union reacted to this by executing strict regulations for the sale and production of various fluorine compounds, with some being banned. The raw material will thus also disappear completely from competitive sport. “It goes completely in line with our thinking and strategy,” emphasises Business Director Timo Fleischmann. The need to develop waxes without fluorine and without compromising at all on performance gave the company a major challenge. “However, we accepted this challenge very gladly,” underlines Fleischmann. HOLMENKOL completely supports the decision of the international ski associations to ban fluorine from the 21/22 season.
The company has long pursued the path of sustainability. In 2019, the Natural series was completely revised and re-established. In 2020, HOLMENKOL became the world’s first SWAN eco-certified ski wax manufacturer. Now the team is developing the new FF wax range. A fluorine-free collection for competition that helps competitive athletes produce top times. Thus, HOLMENKOL has a complete collection of environmentally friendly ski waxes.
FF ski wax range: top performance completely without fluorine
FF: The name stands for Fluorine Free, “Or for fast and furious – that would also fit very well, at any rate,” says Timo Fleischmann. For behind the new FF ski wax range is high tech for speed and top performance on the slope – completely without fluorine. Professional athletes have already spent two years testing the FF series at the Ski World Cup. Their feedback went directly into the development of the products. The six liquid waxes and five fluorine-free paraffin waxes are the result of the Syntec project, the development of the company’s own raw materials and top products at its in-house laboratory and in close cooperation with professionals. The waxes can be grouped into two categories: SYNTEC ff1 liquid waxes for racing consist of three high performance liquid waxes for different weather conditions and are ideal as a finish before the start of the race. Ambitious athletes will find the right products among the SYNTEC ff2 liquid waxes: also three performance liquid waxes for various temperatures. They offer maximum performance with an uncomplicated finish.
Natural ski wax: respecting the Environment
Whoever wants to enjoy nature has to respect it. And that means protecting it. In line with this principle, HOLMENKOL has developed the patented Natural ski wax collection, a biodegradable ski wax line (according to OECD 301). Its products bear the organic label, a unique selling proposition. More than 60 per cent of the ingredients are degraded after 28 days. Once again, environmental friendliness does not come at the expense of performance. The products are distinguished by their uncomplicated and fast application: apply in a thin layer, wait a while, and polish with the felt. Done. They can be used 24/7 – any day, in any weather. Thus, skiers can concentrate fully on their passion: skiing. And with a good conscience.
Where HOLMENKOL has long focused on sustainability
At HOLMENKOL, the features organic and sustainable are not limited to ingredients. The company thinks of sustainability as a cycle. At HOLMENKOL, organic begins in production. The Natural series is “made in Germany”, with the manufacturing plant close to Muenster, North Rhine-Westphalia, making short delivery routes possible. Eco-power and the company’s own photovoltaic plant ensure responsible energy production. The consumption of energy, water and waste is to be continuously reduced. HOLMENKOL has already been able to save up to five tons of waste, 70,000 kWh of electricity, 16.8 tons of CO2 and 375 cubic metres of water in one year.
Organic also applies to the Natural range’s packaging. They have the green dot and can be disposed of in the yellow bin or yellow sack. The process is constantly being developed. HOLMENKOL is gradually replacing plastic packaging. Ski wax boxes and bottles for textile care products increasingly consist of recycled material. These are plastics that have been recycled at least once already. Product manager Florian Pupp emphasises: “We will continue to pursue this path.”
Soluble detergent capsules, fluorine-free impregnation
The principle of naturalness also covers textile care products. For example, soluble detergent capsules – unique in sports retail – in the form of Textile Wash Natural Capsules are part of the product range. Here, sustainable raw materials are used. HOLMENKOL has also long been mindful of the environment when it comes to impregnation. The fluorine-free spray impregnation Natural Proof renews the water-repellent properties of all membrane textiles. HOLMENKOL has developed Natural Active Wax for environmentally responsible yet at the same time high-quality shoe care. It is biologically degradable and suitable for all hiking and outdoor shoes.
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