Unforeseen collaboration surfaces between Schaeffler in unconventional landscapes
Schaeffler, a prominent Bavarian automotive supplier, has recently announced a strategic partnership with the German Ski Association (DSV). The collaboration, set to commence in September, aims to develop innovative solutions in international winter elite sports.
The focus of the partnership is on the development of surface coatings tailored to various snow and weather conditions. Schaeffler's extensive technological know-how in the field of motion technologies, coupled with its expertise in material and materials analytics, tribological systems optimization, and material-based solutions development, will be instrumental in this endeavor.
Tim Hosenfeldt, head of central technologies at Schaeffler, emphasizes the importance of technology in elite sports. "With our comprehensive material analysis, we can specifically adapt and optimize coatings for ski sports," he said.
The partnership comes after a period of revenue and profit declines for Schaeffler in the first half of 2025. However, the company is looking forward to the partnership with the DSV and many joint successes in winter sports.
The partner organization of Schaeffler to jointly develop innovations for international elite ski sports is the International Ski Federation (FIS). The partnership will be beneficial for disciplines such as biathlon, cross-country skiing, ski jumping, and alpine skiing.
The focus areas of the partnership include material development, materials technology, materials analytics, surface modification, and novel coating systems. Schaeffler plans to develop PFAS-free coatings tailored to the requirements of ski sports.
Uwe Wagner, Schaeffler's board member for research and development, stated that Schaeffler's expertise in material development and coatings will be crucial for further developing the technology for elite winter sports.
The announcement of this partnership was made on September 18, 2025. Examples of optimized surfaces include hydrophobic or hydrophilic surfaces, which could significantly improve the performance of athletes in ski sports.
It's worth noting that Schaeffler has recently announced the closure of its Steinhagen site by the end of 2026, resulting in nearly 600 job losses in Schweinfurt, Lower Franconia. Despite this, the company remains optimistic about its future in the field of winter sports.
The German Ski Association is pleased with the partnership with Schaeffler. "We are confident that this partnership will bring about significant advancements in winter sports technology," said a spokesperson for the DSV. Schaeffler, too, expresses its enthusiasm for the partnership, looking forward to many successful collaborations in the world of winter sports.
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