Decathlon Partners to Launch Recycled Carbon Padel Racket
The KUIKMA Power Carbon LTD features a hitting face made from recycled aerospace materials.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Tennis
Live Poll
Would you buy sports equipment made from recycled materials if performance were equal to virgin materials?
Decathlon is partnering with FAIRMAT to debut a new padel racket featuring a hitting face crafted from recycled aerospace carbon fiber. The limited-edition release aims to maintain high-level performance while significantly reducing the product's environmental footprint.
Why it matters
The collaboration highlights a shift toward using repurposed industrial materials in elite sporting equipment. By leveraging recycled aerospace components, the project seeks to prove that sustainable manufacturing can meet the rigorous durability standards required by professional padel athletes.
The KUIKMA Power Carbon LTD racket features a hitting face with a 31% lower carbon footprint than standard virgin carbon. Decathlon will produce 1,000 units for the initial release at a retail price of £109.99.
The players
Decathlon
Decathlon is a major international sporting goods retailer that designs and distributes equipment across a wide range of athletic disciplines.
FAIRMAT
FAIRMAT is a deep-tech company that specializes in the circular economy by using AI and robotics to recycle high-performance industrial carbon fiber materials.
KUIKMA
KUIKMA is the specialized padel brand developed by Decathlon to produce high-performance equipment for competitive and expert players.
The details
FAIRMAT employs AI and robotics to mechanically process discarded aerospace materials into usable carbon fiber. The resulting material passed feasibility and durability testing before being integrated into the Kuikma design.
Timeline
The KUIKMA Power Carbon LTD is scheduled for market release in early February 2027.
Season Trajectory
This release marks a pivot in equipment manufacturing, as Decathlon plans to eventually deploy this recycled technology across its entire range of expert padel rackets. The shift signals a long-term competitive move to integrate sustainable engineering into professional-grade sporting gear.
Players interested in the new racket can expect a retail price point of £109.99 when it reaches the European market. The limited production run of 1,000 units suggests high demand for early adopters of this sustainable carbon technology.
The takeaway
Sustainable design is becoming a core component of high-performance athletics as manufacturers seek to lower their environmental impact. Players should monitor for the expansion of recycled materials in future gear to stay aligned with new industry production standards.
What happens next
Decathlon will release the 1,000 units of the KUIKMA Power Carbon LTD in early February 2027.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest innovations in equipment on our Tennis page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Retail Times.
Live Poll
Would you buy sports equipment made from recycled materials if performance were equal to virgin materials?
