CircHelmet – Circular business opportunities for ski helmets

In Sweden, around 60,000 ski helmets are sold each year, a large proportion of which are used by ski resorts for hire and then sent to landfill or incineration. However, the sports industry, and especially rental-based businesses, are well placed to capitalise on the opportunities of circular business models as they have smooth, defined and easily accessible product flows. By taking a holistic approach to business models, product design, digital condition assessments, material circulation and rental processes, the project intends to investigate the possibilities for more circular flows of ski helmets. 

The first part of the project focuses on investigating opportunities to support circular flows by determining the condition of used helmets through digital condition assessments or by recycling helmets. The second part of the project examines the current helmet rental at Skistar's facilities and explores opportunities to increase the lifespan and utilisation rate of helmets and contribute to increased circular flows. A test to determine the impact of a ski helmet designed to facilitate maintenance and repair will be conducted together with helmet supplier Disentis. In addition, the project will also explore how a concept helmet can be designed to further increase longevity and contribute to circular flows through changing business models and rental processes. 

The project is expected to increase knowledge of the economic and environmental benefits of different circular opportunities, and provide examples of how helmets can be designed for extended lifetime, circular flows and circular business models.