Hexcel has successfully transitioned its winter sports industry production to the new HexPly Nature bio-derived product range. This includes the full conversion of HexPly M78.1-LT prepregs to the more sustainable HexPly Nature version.

Since the early 1970s, when it manufactured the first composite skis at industrial scale, Hexcel has been a trusted partner to the winter sports industry and today supplies a comprehensive portfolio of products, including HexPly prepregs, Polyspeed laminates and Modipur polyurethanes to industry leaders such as Elan, Fischer, Kästle, Stöckli, Tecnica Group and Völkl.

The HexPly Nature Range is the result of a multi-year development initiative, during which Hexcel collaborated closely with its customers to ensure the new bio-derived prepregs met the rigorous OEM qualification and production standards while maintaining exceptional performance in, for example, composite skis.

“At Tecnica Group, we pride ourselves on delivering high-performance skis that meet the rigorous demands of our customers and the environment,” said Alberto Zanatta, chairman of Tecnica Group. “Partnering with Hexcel to incorporate its Nature range of bio-derived prepregs into our series production process has been seamless. Hexcel’s advanced composite technology and commitment to sustainability have enabled us to transition smoothly without compromising the performance or consistency of our skis in series production and out on the mountain.”

The HexPly Nature Range version of M78.1-LT prepreg offers the same high quality and consistency as its predecessor, as well as rapid curing, robust handling, and outstanding adhesion to aluminium, wood and thermoplastics. Hexcel provides a variety of HexPly M78.1 standard products, including lightweight fleeces for bonding to heavier weight glass fibre reinforcements that are tailored to ensure an excellent cost and performance ratio.

www.hexcel.com