Future Fins is a Californian surf equip
ment manufacturer which first started business in theirmodest garage. Twenty years later, they are now more conscious than ever about their sustainable footprint. Ever since the beginning, Future Fin has always prioritised building locally but now the brand is introducing a new fin for stand-up paddleboards created from biocomposites. Using a reclaimed wood composite Keel outperforms on its positive environmental impact as well as its traditional performance. The new fin was manufactured by Green Dot Bioplastics after a collaboration was instigated by Future Fins. They are researching extensively to deliver a bioplastic which meets consumer expectations and put an end to our war with plastic. One of their wood-plastic composites, a blend of reclaimed wood fibres with recycled plastic, was the right solution for Future Fins.
“The new biocomposite-based fins tested just as well in the three categories: flex, rake and flow, but at a lighter weight as compared to the products they were replacing.”
Futures Fins makes thousands of plastic products every year. Aware of the impact of plastic effecting our oceans, the owners felt a responsibility to protect the environment that they come into contact with every day. Seeing the plastic waste swept on the shores, they felt driven to deliver a product that would reduce landfill waste.
Their prerogative has been to market products as the ultimate, premium performance. They use materials such as carbon fibre and Kevlar to produce high-quality, performance-driven, dramatic-looking fins. The new biocomposite fin disrupts this traditional marketing model.
Collaborating with Green Dot Bioplastics and using the wood-plastic composite wasnt Futures Fins first attempt at creating an environmentally friendly fin. Previous materials were also experimented with: mushroom foam, hemp, flax, soy-based items and more. Ultimately, these materials were difficult to work with, and did not meet the performance level required.
The composite used ended up being a plug-and-play solution. Its easy to mold, and creates a product thats about 35% lighter than the standard products Futures Fins manufactures. Green Dots wood-plastic composite can achieve a wide range of characteristics by adjusting the species, size and concentration of wood particles in the formulation. While the formulation can change to produce dramatic differences, the common characteristic among all iterations is sustainability.
The new biocomposite-based fins tested just as well in the three categories: flex, rake and flow, but at a lighter weight as compared to the products they were replacing.
Future Fins Future
Futures Fins ( @FuturesFins)is living up to their name as they plan to continue collaborating with Green Dot Bioplastics ( @gd_bioresins)to introduce more products utilising biocomposites and bioplastics. The key will be increasing the stiffness while keeping the product light, a task Green
Dot is prepared to help Futures Fins achieve. This will enable fins to be made for long board and twin fin surfboards as well. Additionally, the eco-conscious company aims to develop a biocomposite or bioplastic for short boards, but the aggressive riding style demands more out of the fin.
Future Fins’ website:https://futuresfins.com/
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