![]() ![]() ![]() Similarly, it is not possible to cheaply recycle equipment made using fiberglass composites. Also, composites, such as carbon fiber (CF)-reinforced polymers, typically used in tennis racquets, hockey sticks, skis, and other sports equipment, are associated with particular technological challenges at end of life, as they cannot be readily recycled at an acceptable cost or value. Looking at sports product innovations in the past, such risks have occurred for example in the case of ski boots, sports apparel, and packaging using PVC (polyvinyl chloride)-based materials, and athletic footwear using petroleum-based solvents and other potentially damaging compounds, such as sulfur hexafluoride in air bladders for cushioning and impact shock absorption 21. However, new materials and processes used in sports products carry with them potential environmental risks. Much of the innovations in sports products are associated with the application of new materials and processes, and with the rapid diffusion of advanced technologies developed by other industry sectors. This has resulted over the years in a shorter life cycle of sports products and increased disposal rates and waste. In order to grasp the growing commercial opportunities, the industry has diversified by developing and producing lifestyle products in addition to performance products. New sports product innovations are rapidly developed and brought to market by the manufacturers in order to accommodate the diverse needs and changing personal preferences of the users. While the global sporting goods market is large and growing, the majority of sales are still resulting from the most economically-developed countries, with emerging markets in eastern Europe, Asia, and South America slowly catching up. According to the recent market research report Sporting Goods–A Global Outlook 1 in 2006, the consumption of sporting goods in the global market was more than US$250 billion, with the following percentage breakdown of value sales by-product category: (i) sports apparel (45.45%) (ii) sports equipment (33.93%) and (iii) sports footwear (20.62%). This dynamic global industry sector has grown significantly over the years, while continuously trying to meet the growing demand for new and improved sports products. The sporting goods industry comprises of sports apparel, sports footwear, and sports equipment. The issues covered in this article aim to highlight the key technological challenges and opportunities facing the sporting goods industry in its quest to embrace the sustainable design paradigm. The sustainable use of composite materials in sports equipment, as well as natural and synthetic fibers in sports apparel, is examined in detail, including the sustainable design practice, manufacture, and recycling/reuse. This review article provides a detailed discussion of the main issues associated with the use of advanced materials in sports products and a review of the contemporary research and practice driving sustainable design of sports products. Also, advances based on the use of new processes and high-performance materials in sports equipment and sports apparel have unintentionally placed additional burdens on the environment and societies that are forced to deal with such products at end of life. Over the years, this has resulted in a shorter life cycle of sports products and increased disposal rates and waste. ![]()
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