German Ski Association to benefit from Schaeffler’s expertise in coatings and materials for international ski competitions

(From left to right) Prof. Dr. Tim Hosenfeldt (Head of Central Technologies, Schaeffler), Karlheinz Waibel (National Coach for Science, DSV), Uwe Wagner (Chief Technology Officer, Schaeffler), and Wolfgang Maier (Executive Board Member for Sports, DSV) are pleased about the strategic technology partnership. Photo: Schaeffler

(IN BRIEF) Schaeffler will officially become a technology partner of the German Ski Association (DSV) in September 2025, marking the start of a strategic collaboration to enhance performance in international winter sports. The partnership will concentrate on advanced materials development, surface modification, and innovative ski coating systems designed to adapt to different snow and weather conditions. Schaeffler’s expertise in tribology and sustainable, PFAS-free coatings will play a central role in optimizing ski performance for athletes in biathlon, cross-country, ski jumping, and alpine skiing. Executives from Schaeffler, including CTO Uwe Wagner and Head of Central Technologies Prof. Dr. Tim Hosenfeldt, stressed that their know-how in coatings and friction analysis will bring tangible performance benefits, while DSV’s Karlheinz Waibel emphasized that these innovations will directly support athletes in achieving top results. The collaboration reflects how advanced engineering and elite sport can jointly set new standards in sustainable and high-performance ski technologies.

(PRESS RELEASE) HERZOGENAURACH/PLANEGG, 18-Sep-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — Schaeffler, the Motion Technology Company, is set to begin a strategic technology partnership with the German Ski Association (DSV) in September 2025. The collaboration aims to develop advanced materials and coating technologies that will give athletes competing in biathlon, cross-country skiing, ski jumping, and alpine disciplines a decisive edge at the international level. By combining Schaeffler’s expertise in motion technology with DSV’s deep knowledge of elite sports performance, the partnership seeks to raise the bar for innovation in winter sports.

The focus of the joint work will include materials development, surface modification, materials analysis, and novel coating systems for skis. Schaeffler will contribute its extensive technological know-how, particularly in friction and tribology, to create skis optimized for a wide range of snow and weather conditions. The company will also develop sustainable coating solutions, including PFAS-free variants, that adapt to the specific requirements of winter sports while enhancing performance, efficiency, and reliability.

Uwe Wagner, Chief Technology Officer at Schaeffler, highlighted the importance of applying advanced engineering expertise to sporting performance: “Our comprehensive understanding of materials and coatings allows us to refine technologies in ways that will help elite skiers maximize their potential. We are excited to partner with DSV and look forward to achieving sporting success together.”

DSV National Coach for Science, Karlheinz Waibel, emphasized the benefits for athletes: “Schaeffler brings the innovation power and technical expertise required to meet the unique challenges of ski sports. Together we will work on optimized material properties and groundbreaking coatings that will strengthen our athletes’ chances of delivering outstanding results.”

Prof. Dr. Tim Hosenfeldt, Head of Central Technologies at Schaeffler, also underlined the long-term value of the cooperation: “Technology is a crucial factor in elite sport. By leveraging our complete value chain, from high-resolution material analytics to tribological optimization, we will be able to achieve measurable performance advantages for DSV athletes in close collaboration.”

Through this partnership, Schaeffler and the German Ski Association are combining world-class technology with athletic excellence to open new opportunities for sustainable innovation in competitive winter sports.

Media contact:

Daniel Pokorny
Head of Communications Technologym Operations & Digitalization
Tel.: +49 9132 82 88708
E-Mail: Daniel.pokorny@schaeffler.com

SOURCE: Schaeffler AG