Aluula Composites, based in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, is an advanced materials technology firm which has developed a new class of composites built from components with eight times the strength-to-weight ratio of steel, yet lighter than nylon, polyester or aramid.

The company’s patented fusion process binds high tech fibres and technical films together without using heavy glues and the initial market for these composites has been in kiteboards and wing foils.

Airframes for kiteboards built with Aluula composite materials are on average half the weight and twice the stiffness of conventional material airframes.

A kiteboarder using a lightweight Aluula composite kite can fly in much lighter wind, while increased stiffness delivers much better performance in stronger winds. Recently, professional kiteboarder Giel Vlugt performed the first ever “Double Megaloop” using an Aluula-powered kite – a manoeuvre that has eluded riders for more than 15 years.

“We’ve been working closely with Aluula Composites to launch a new generation of kites,” said Richard Myerscough, CEO and founder of Canadia wind sports equipment manufacturer Ocean Rodeo. “Our team riders and customers are simply blown away by what’s now possible.”

Water-based wind sports have proved the perfect testing ground for this new generation of composite materials which is now extending far beyond kiteboarding and wing foiling.

“We’re receiving enquiries from a variety of industries from outdoor sports to aerospace,” said Aluula COO John Zimmerman. “Our ability to fuse ultralight and strong technical materials at the molecular level is generating great interest.”

Aluula is in co-development with leaders in several industry sectors where lighter and stronger composites provide clear advantages. These efforts are driving further innovation and Intellectual Property in the material bonding sciences. Meanwhile, very promising additional cross-linking technology development continues between Aluula and its chemistry partners.

www.aluula.com