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Swedish state-owned energy giant Vattenfall has teamed up with material extraction specialist Gjenkraft and eco-conscious ski manufacturer Evi to redefine high-performance skiing. Their mission? Integrate alternative, sustainable materials into ski production, giving worn-out wind turbine blades a thrilling second life on the slopes.
While much of a retired wind turbine can be repurposed, the composite structure of turbine blades presents a major recycling hurdle. Their intricate mix of materials notoriously makes large-scale separation and reuse difficult. Yet Vattenfall is determined to change that. The company has been spearheading initiatives to ensure 100% of its wind turbines can be recycled by 2030, and this latest venture marks a bold step toward that goal.
By extracting carbon fibers from retired turbine blades, Vattenfall, Gjenkraft, and Evi have successfully incorporated them into ski construction. The result? Stronger, more durable, and high-performance skis built with sustainability in mind. Beyond environmental benefits, these recycled materials provide enhanced reinforcement and flexibility, which is crucial for professional-grade skiing.
Vattenfall has already ordered 15 custom-made pairs, including alpine skis, carving skis, and even a specialized pair for racing. This limited batch represents the beginning of what could become a revolutionary shift in sports equipment manufacturing.
To put these innovative skis to the ultimate test, a dedicated ski test site will be set up at the World Cup Women’s Slalom in Åre, Sweden, on March 8 and 9. Visitors will have the rare opportunity to experience the performance of these sustainably crafted skis firsthand, offering crucial feedback that could shape future production.
Gustav Frid, environment and sustainability specialist at Vattenfall, said: “Circularity is essential to securing future resource needs, reducing costs, and achieving our sustainability targets. "This project perfectly illustrates how technology provides a sustainable alternative to traditional ski-making materials.
“We hope it will inspire others and foster new ideas for accelerating circularity.”
Marcin Rusin, co-founder of Gjenkraft, said: “Our goal has always been to demonstrate that this issue can be resolved. “We already had the technology to recover valuable raw materials from composite waste; the next step was to find a high-end product that would appeal to the public.
“As a Norwegian company with team members who are enthusiastic about skiing, deciding to manufacture skis was a natural fit. We are very excited to see this concept come to fruition.”
Endre Hals, founder of Evi Skis, said: “We are humbly aware that a small ski producer like Evi will never be able to make a big impact on the use of this kind of industrial waste. “Therefore, we are extra stoked that Gjenkraft and Vattenfall want to work with us to realise this awesome vision for the future of product development.”
With renewable energy, material science, and high-performance sports converging, Vattenfall’s latest initiative proves that innovation doesn’t just drive the future—it carves it into the snow.