Sicomin, the leading formulator of high-performance epoxy systems and a market leader in bio-based epoxy systems, announces a new collaboration with the sports equipment giant Decathlon.
Sicomin will supply its SR GreenPoxy® 33 resin to manufacture Decathlon’s new JIB and BLOCK wakeboards, which will be produced by Meditec, the composite board specialist based in Tunisia.
Eager to reduce the environmental impact of its products, Decathlon has chosen SR GreenPoxy® 33 resin for the design of its wakeboards. The SR GreenPoxy® 33 resin supports this goal thanks to its 28% bio-based carbon content derived from plant sources, while still offering high mechanical properties and exceptional clarity in laminates. Formulated to suit serial manufacturing processes, SR GreenPoxy® 33 has been seamlessly integrated at Meditec, while meeting Decathlon’s requirement to maintain short curing cycles of 10 minutes at 100°C.
Meditec combines SR GreenPoxy® 33 with FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified wood cores, further increasing the proportion of lower environmental impact materials in the new JIB and BLOCK boards. Both models are designed for riders seeking a board that is both stiff and responsive, whether used in cable parks or towed behind a boat. The BLOCK model also features a unidirectional carbon strip on the underside, enhancing its pop on the water.
Sicomin and Decathlon closely monitor all factors contributing to the environmental impact of products, including supply chains and transport distances for raw materials and finished goods. Sicomin’s manufacturing site in southern France is located close to Meditec’s factory in Tunisia. This geographical proximity has enabled the establishment of a reliable, short supply chain, avoiding long-distance transportation from East Asia.
“Eco-design is at the heart of our industrial approach. Measuring the environmental impact of our products is a cornerstone of our company policy. It is also our desire, as outdoor sports enthusiasts, to manufacture products that are as eco-responsible as possible,” comments Gael Gibert, Wakeboard Product Engineer at Decathlon.
“We are constantly looking for new technologies that allow us to improve our products. Meditec and Sicomin have enabled us to achieve this.”
Matthieu Chaloin, Sicomin:
“We are delighted to see a company like Decathlon integrating our SR GreenPoxy® 33 resin into the manufacture of their wakeboards. This reinforces our convictions about the importance of designing products with a lower environmental impact for serial production. We have been working with Meditec for many years now. Their reputation and expertise in manufacturing press-molded boards using our SR GreenPoxy® 33 resin make them the ideal production partner for Decathlon.**”
