STAGE 5 - CIRCLE SURF PROJECT DEVELOPMENT

The first half of 2025 is dedicated to conducting tests on cork, evaluating its properties and making a direct comparison with the results obtained in the previous phase.

The work is carried out in an industrial setting, based on technical assumptions derived from the knowledge accumulated in previous phases, whilst maintaining a structured validation approach.

Moulding and compression tests are carried out using different densities and percentages of cork, and hybrid mixtures with a small amount of neoprene suit waste are also tested, with the aim of assessing the compatibility between the two materials.

The resulting components show improvements in several relevant parameters:

• Specific weight, with reductions of 25 to 30%;

• Impact absorption, closer to the desired level for use in PADs;

• Dimensional stability;

• Natural aesthetics, associated with the colour and texture of cork.

  
  

NOMADS SURFING is monitoring the tests and has expressed interest in continuing with the cork solution, both for its performance and for the material’s environmental and symbolic coherence.

The semester concludes with plans for new pilot-scale samples, designed to assess durability, salt resistance and adhesion over time, setting the framework for the next stages of product development.