POPFREE Ski Goes Global
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | RISE Research Institutes of Sweden AB - Bioscience and Materials / Surface, Process and Formulation |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 500 000 |
| Project duration | March 2019 - October 2019 |
| Status | Completed |
Important results from the project
The project aim was to initiate an international dialogue and pave the way for a phase-out of PFAS-based ski waxes at international competition level. In a workshop with key players from the ski community in Europe, important activities and measures were collected in an action plan towards PFAS-free competitive skiing. As soon as a robust technique for detecting fluorine in waxes on the skis exists, it will be possible to introduce a ban on international elite level. According to the engaged stakeholders from the ski sport, a PFAS ban is possible to implement within 5 years.
Expected long term effects
Communication material from the project have been used both by engaged organisations internally and by the media to spread awareness and knowledge about PFAS in skiing, and as a support in the dialogue about an upcoming phase-out. The roadmap developed was a joint result of cooperation between several stakeholders internationally in the ski world. A dissemination of the action plan to additional actors creates the opportunity to conduct phase-out work in the skiing sector on a broad front, where development activities in several parallel tracks support each other.
Approach and implementation
The set of activities in the project for gathering information, disseminating knowledge and a common roadmap has gone according to plan and given high involvement from sports, industry and research. Through combined contacts and expertise from RISE and Peak Innovation, a dialogue has been established within a sensitive area, with business risks for the industry and reputation risks for skiing. Due to media attention, more hours than planned have been spent on communicating results including email correspondence, interviews and writing press releases.