The collar of the new Salomon "Ghost" freerider alpineski-boot is one of the first applications for an elastomer based in part (27percent) on corn-based plastic.

Ski-boot collars help provide a secure fit of the boot tothe skier and protect the lower leg. They must also be flexible enough toensure a reliable transfer of movement from the leg to the ski. 

"We already knew Hytrel (elastomer) could offer the requiredperformance for the collar of our new ‘Ghost' freerider boots as an alternativeto polyurethane," says Pascal Pallatin, alpine boot and advanced researchproject manager at Salomon of Annecy, France. "The fact that we could now access a grade of the high performancematerial with a significant renewable content is an additional selling pointfor our boots."

The new DuPont grade of thermoplastic elastomer, based oncorn sugar or other plants, is designated Hytrel RS and is said to provide allthe performance characteristics of traditional Hytrel materials. RS indicatesrenewably sourced.

The properties of Hytrel RS that are of particular relevanceto this ski-boot collar application include: excellent flex fatigue, flexibilityat temperatures as low as -20C and high impact resistance. The collar isinjection molded as a single piece and colored white with masterbatch.

Salomon Ghost Freerider Alpine Ski-boot Features Corn-Based Elastomer Image A