#Composites

2025-04-21

HEAD launches more sustainable(1) BOOM RAW racquet on Earth Day by using Toray’s bio-circular carbon fibers

HEAD continues to innovate with the launch of the BOOM RAW tennis racquet, an encouraging development in the search for a more sustainable future for racquet sports. All of the carbon fibers are bio-circular carbon fibers in the limited-edition and highly innovative BOOM RAW racquet, which offers the same explosive power - along with the same fun, feel and easy playability - as the regular, in-line BOOM racquet. The bio-circular carbon fibers are manufactured by Toray and its subsidiary Toray Carbon Fibers Europe.

Showcasing that nothing changes except what matters, HEAD will launch the BOOM RAW on Earth Day on 22nd April 2025 © 2025 HEAD / Toray

In 2024, HEAD collaborated with Toray on developing prototype racquets utilizing Toray’s 100% bio-circular carbon fibers in accordance with the mass balance approach(2). Toray’s bio-circular carbon fibers are attributed from waste and residues of biological origin from agriculture, forestry and related industries from the start of the supply chain which – instead of being sent to landfill or otherwise taken out of the economy – are reused, used or recycled. Now, with the launch of the BOOM RAW, HEAD is showing how it is possible to achieve the high performance of an in-line racquet while reducing the environmental impact.

The regular, in-line BOOM series is a fun-loving collection of racquets that lets you play drop shots, hot shots and big shots, boosting your energy and confidence, and the BOOM RAW, with its more sustainable creation, is possibly even more of a feel-good racquet.

Developing the BOOM RAW with Toray and its subsidiary bio-circular carbon fibers producer, Toray Carbon Fibers Europe, is part of HEAD’s ambition to be more sustainable. As an environmentally responsibly oriented sporting goods manufacturer, HEAD recognizes that there is much more to be done to reduce harmful emissions and protect biodiversity. The collaboration between HEAD and Toray will continue, with a view to HEAD potentially releasing more sustainable racquets in the future.

In line with HEAD’s commitment to sustainability, its primary tennis racquet manufacturer in China will transition to sourcing exclusively green energy(3) for racquet production. This initiative is expected to reduce carbon emissions by approximately 7,000 tons annually(4), reinforcing HEAD’s dedication to minimizing its environmental impact while continuing to innovate in racquet sports.

(1) The fossil fuel dependency was lowered in the production of these racquets.

(2) A mass balance approach is one in which raw materials with certain characteristics (an example being biomass-derived) are mixed with other raw materials (such as petroleum-derived ones) in the processing and distribution process, from raw materials through to finished products. Characteristics are assigned to part of a product in line with the input proportions of raw materials with those characteristics.

(3) According to the government’s information

(4) According to internal calculations

Toray develops recycling technology that retains carbon fiber strength and surface quality

Toray Industries, Inc., announced today that it has developed a recycling technology that can decompose diverse carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP) made from thermosetting resins while retaining the strength and surface quality of those fibers. The company drew on this technology to create a nonwoven fabric employing recycled carbon fibers.

Toray develops durable reverse osmosis membrane

Toray Industries, Inc., announced today that it has developed a highly durable reverse osmosis (RO) membrane (see glossary note 1). This innovative offering guarantees the long-term provision of high-quality water. It also maintains the superior removal performance of Toray’s existing membranes vital for reusing industrial wastewater and treating sewage.

Toray develops revolutionary Ion-Conductive polymer membrane for batteries that could dramatically extend vehicular cruise ranges

Toray Industries, Inc., announced that it has developed an ion-conductive polymer membrane that delivers 10-fold the ion conductivity of predecessors. This new offering could accelerate the deployment of solid-state batteries (see glossary note 1), air batteries (glossary note 2), and other lithium metal batteries, greatly expanding the cruising ranges of electric vehicles, industrial drones, urban air mobility systems, and other transportation modes.

JEC World 2026 returns with an unprecedented content program

Recognized worldwide as the leading trade exhibition for composite materials and their applications, JEC World returns on March 10-12, 2026, at Paris Nord Villepinte as the most ambitious edition to date, in line with its motto “Pushing the limits”. As the must-attend event for the composites industry, JEC World will offer an unprecedented program, blending conferences, markets insights, technical sessions, awards, and above all, a unique experience and invaluable connections.

KARL MAYER at JEC: Multiaxial reinforced CFRP pultrusion profiles are picking up speed in the mobility sector

KARL MAYER Technical Textiles will be showcasing exciting new application potentials for multiaxial non-crimp fabrics in combination with the pultrusion process at the upcoming JEC in Hall 5, Booth C 46. The advancement of the tried-and-tested pultrusion process enables the cost-efficient production of complex CFRP multi-chamber profiles, which are used in the CETROVO high-speed metro. The world's first carbon-intensive lightweight rail vehicle of this type is designed for speeds of up to 140 km/h.

Engineering depth and diversity for composites

Airbond is the latest member of the British Textile Machinery Association (BTMA) to receive recognition for contributions to the composites industry. The engineering firm based in Pontypool, South Wales, has just received the Make UK Energy and Sustainability Award for its Lattice 3D Printing project.

High-performance yarns for tomorrow's mobility

At this year's Techtextil in Frankfurt (April 21–24), Barmag will be presenting comprehensive solutions for the production of industrial filament yarns at the VDMA joint stand (Hall 12, C56). The focus will be on applications that ensure greater safety, durability, and efficiency in automotive engineering.

Beyond the wardrobe – innovative cotton takes the spotlight

Cotton can do more – a lot more. Cutting-edge textiles and high-tech products made from 100% cotton prove just how powerfully performance and sustainability can come together. That very surge of innovation is front and centre at the 38th Bremen Cotton Conference, taking place March 25–27, 2026, at Bremen’s Parliament on the historic market square – culminating in a bold and dedicated closing session on Friday. In the spotlight: performance upgrades for pure cotton, smart strategies for circular textile waste solutions, and pioneering concepts for demanding technical applications. From natural fibre–reinforced composites to highly effective flame-retardant solutions, cotton steps out of the closet and shows the future potential woven into every fibre.

Keeping print inclusive: Empowering women in the print industry

Across all industries, cultivating a diverse and inclusive workplace is increasingly recognised as valuable and essential to long-term success. However, despite the print industry’s significant advancements in technology and innovation, visible representation of women remains limited. As the sector grapples with low recruitment, it’s important to challenge outdated perceptions. Creating real change, however, requires collective effort - no single company can do it alone.