We are proud to announce that our friends at Melker of Sweden have won Product of the Year 2025 in the Sea Kayaking category of the Paddle Sports Show in Strasbourg, France.
This recognition is a testament to Melker’s innovative approach, efforts and commitment to sustainability, embracing non-traditional materials and pushing the boundaries of what is possible in outdoor hardware. The winning product was Melker’s Värmdö sea kayak, and it was chosen by an international jury of paddle sports industry professionals for its significant contribution to the sector.
Melker’s shift towards lightweight, high-performance, and plant-based construction has set new benchmark for the industry, and the Värmdö embodies this ethos in a playful, yet performance-driven package. Built using ampliTex™ flax fabrics and a solid cork core, the Värmdö combines superior mechanical properties with a highly innovative and sustainable design that respects the environment. The Värmdö is aimed at a broad range of paddlers—from beginners to experienced paddlers looking for a versatile kayak that can handle everything from relaxed paddling to more adventurous activities like surfing and exploring rocky areas.
This award highlights the capacity of ampliTex™ to challenge conventional perceptions of natural fibre composites, providing the desired characteristics for performance applications in almost any sport or mobility industry.
For 2025, all Melker models will feature this same construction approach, incorporating Bcomp flax reinforcement fabrics, Amorim cork, and plant-based resins and gel coat from Sicomin, produced using a vacuum infusion and heat cure process, ensuring lightweight, high-performance kayaks.
Patrick Vuagnat, Manager Sports & Leisure at Bcomp, said: “These kayaks perfectly showcased the versatility of our technologies, enabling Melker of Sweden to create genuinely innovative and sustainable kayaks for all. Seeing this recognition is a fantastic acknowledgement of their work and highlights a promising direction for the industry.”
Melker of Sweden was founded in 2015 in Hammarö by local serial entrepreneur, innovator and designer Pelle Stafshede, with the bold ambition to completely game change the outdoor hardware industry.
“We are really proud and honored to receive this important award and it’s a great acknowledgement of our efforts in making high-performance and more sustainable products. It’s a true collective effort, and we’re excited to share it with our highly valuable partner Bcomp, with whom we’ve enjoyed working together with for many years – but we’re just getting started – bending the conventions as we strive to create a legacy for future generations and a sustainable, impactful business!” said Pelle Stafshede, CEO & Creative Director of Melker of Sweden.
Source
Bcomp, press release, 2024-10-22.
Supplier
Bcomp Ltd.
Melker of Sweden
Paddle Sports Show
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