Russell Brands LLC and Boeing has announced they are to team up to incorporate excess carbon fibre from the 787 Dreamliner production into Russell Athletic protective sports gear.
Both companies will extend their initial collaboration that already puts 787 carbon into the their CarbonTek American Football shoulder pads. The two companies see significant benefits in using aerospace-grade carbon fibre, as the carbon filaments provide a high strength-to-weight ratio and greater durability.
Russell’s CarbonTek should pad system has the sports industry’s first-ever exoskeleton made of 100%, aerospace-grade carbon fibre, which is thinner, stronger and approximately 10 percent lighter compared to alternatives on the market. The high-performance fibre also offers an increased range of motion and secure fit for the athlete’s body.
Robby Davis, senior vice president and general manager, Russell Athletic said;
We are thrilled to partner with Boeing and discover new ways to utilise carbon fibre used on the 787 to make innovative, game-changing products for the sports industry, It’s an exciting opportunity for both companies to leverage the value of carbon fibre used in high-performance gear while helping to meet environmental goals.
Boeing offloads its surplus factory materials to meet the company’s environmental and business goals, and sees more opportunities to repurpose carbon fibre as it increases the use of carbon fibre-reinforced composites in its airplanes.