Thilo von Osterhausen, founder of KANOA Surfboards and Head of Research & Development at GunSails, has been honoured with the prestigious JEC World Innovation Award. The son of GunSails founder Eberhard von Osterhausen has been with the company since 2016 and is primarily involved in development. The award ceremony took place in March at JEC World in Paris, the world's leading trade fair for fibre composite technologies. The award, which is considered the "Oscar of lightweight construction" in the industry, recognises the development of Honey Roots Technology (HRT) - a new type of construction for recyclable surfboards.
According to the manufacturer's description, the award-winning Honey Roots Technology (HRT) is designed to combine sustainability, durability and performance - three aspects that were often considered difficult to reconcile in the past. Thanks to its improved mechanics, HRT makes it easier to replace conventional materials such as carbon and glass fibre with natural fibres or recycled materials. The current laminate consists of a semi-synthetic natural fibre, a core containing bio-based and recycled content and a bio-based, recyclable resin, making the board ready for the circular economy.
Applications beyond the surfing industry
A honeycomb structure is intended to provide stability, along with recyclable bio-resin and an improved bond between the core and laminate, which is intended to maintain flex over the entire service life. "At the same time, the construction creates a unique rebound and liveliness without stiffening the board. An unprecedented riding experience," promises the manufacturer.
The development should attract attention far beyond the water sports sector. According to GunSails, it is accessible to everyone and ready for a wide range of applications in areas such as transport, shipping, camping, automotive engineering and many more.
