Pittsburgh-based Bayer MaterialScience is on the cutting edge of shredding powder with the launch of The Makboard, a crystal clear snowboard that is 100 percent recyclable.
The product is a soft flex snowboard made of Makrolon 3103 polycarbonate resin, a product of BMS used for ski googles and bike helmets. With a concave bottom design, called “flow-thru technology,” the design channels snow through two holes in the tail, allowing the board to stabilize in the powder and carve turns effortlessly.
“The Makboard creators chose Bayer’s Makrolon polycarbonate material for its toughness and design flexibility, but also for the excellent technical support provided by Bayer MaterialScience,” said Kevin Dunay of BMS.
The board was designed by a California surfing and snowboarding enthusiast, Bob Candler, who wanted to create a ride that felt truer to surfing in the snow. There are no metal edges to rust or break from impact and the board can be sharpened with a standard file to enhance edge control on hard pack snow.
There are other technical advantages as well, according to the company. The Makboard won’t delaminate like standard-construction snowboards, and it delivers a smooth ride with less chatter. The tri-hulled bottom of the board, a unique feature in the world of boarding, gives the Makboard a different feel when it absorbs the shock of bumps on the trail, making it easier on the boarder’s knees and body.
Bayer MaterialScience is one of the leading producers of polymers and high-performance plastics in North America.
Writer: Debra Smit
Source: Kelly Kalmar
Image courtesy Bayer Material Science