DPS and PHANTOM Glide Partner with All Mountain Group

SALT LAKE CITY (Nov. 6, 2023) — DPS Skis, the U.S.-based ski manufacturer pairing aerospace carbon technology with groundbreaking shapes, and PHANTOM Glide, a permanent, waxless base glide treatment, are partnering with members of the All Mountain Group, a veteran sales team from New England.

The All Mountain Group was formed in the summer of 2012 by a collective of individuals with more than 80 years of combined experience in the outdoor industry. DPS Skis and PHANTOM Glide will be working with All Mountain Group representativess, Tyler Merritt and Erik Mushial, starting this fall 2023 sales season. Merritt began his journey in the outdoor industry in 1994 and has worked with many notable backcountry skiing brands over the years. Mushial has a background in rock climbing and climbing gyms, having opened one of the first climbing gyms in New England, Rock Barn, in the early 1990s.

“The addition of Tyler and Erik from the All Mountain Group makes our already top-notch DPS and PHANTOM Glide sales team even stronger, particularly in New England, which is an exciting market for us,” says Mike Cannon, vice president of sales at DPS and PHANTOM Glide. “Their experience in the outdoor industry, with an emphasis on skiing, is a huge asset and we know that they’re going to help DPS and PHANTOM grow our footprint in the Northeast.”

Merritt’s sales territory will cover Western New England and includes Vermont, Connecticut, Western Massachusetts, Western New Hampshire, and the Adirondack region of New York. For sales inquiries from Western New England, Tyler Merritt can be reached at tyler@allmtngroup.com.

Mushial will be covering the Eastern portion of New England, including Maine, Rhode Island, Eastern Massachusetts, and Eastern New Hampshire. For sales inquiries from Eastern New England, Erik Mushial can be reached at erik@allmtngroup.com.

For information on DPS or PHANTOM Glide, the sales teams, or any of the brand’s products or initiatives, please contact account manager Ryan Silven at ryan.silven@rygr.us.

About DPS Skis: Located at the base of the Wasatch Mountains in Salt Lake City, Utah, DPS designs the world’s most advanced ski products by fusing space-age carbon technology with groundbreaking shapes. DPS is responsible for the world’s first and only pure pre-impregnated carbon fiber sandwich ski, the first 120mm-waisted powder pintail, the first rockered ski with sidecut, and PHANTOM, a paradigm-shifting permanent, one-time application base-coating that forever eliminates the need for waxing skis and snowboards. DPS products are sold on five continents and are the trusted brand of choice for serious skiers worldwide. www.dpsskis.com

About PHANTOM Glide:

Developed by a team of expert chemists and material science engineers, PHANTOM Glide’s patent- pending formula creates a hydrophobic environment that offers three undeniable benefits. First, unlike topical wax, PHANTOM Glide is only applied once and permanently alters the chemistry of ski and board bases to improve baseline glide for the life of the product. Second, PHANTOM Glide offers consistently fast on-snow gliding performance across a broad range of conditions and temperatures. Third, and most importantly, PHANTOM Glide is made up of non-reactive chemical functional groups that are both inert to the environment and safe to those applying it. For more on PHANTOM Glide visit dpsskis.com/phantom.

 

 

EXPED USA Adds World-Renowned Climber Beth Rodden to Ambassador Roster

Tacoma, Wash. – November 6, 2023 EXPED USA, a subsidiary of EXPED AG, located in Zurich, Switzerland, announced today the addition of climber Beth Rodden to its team of professional athletes and ambassadors. Rodden is best known for her ascents of difficult single-pitch climbing routes and numerous first female ascents around the world.

“Beth’s athletic accomplishments are exceptional, but she’s also a strong vocal advocate for body positivity in the outdoors and mental health,” said Alex Kim, sales/marketing coordinator at EXPED USA. “She is a great fit for EXPED because, like our other ambassadors, she represents our brand with integrity, honesty and respect.”

Rodden joins EXPED’s growing team of ambassadors, which includes Graham Zimmerman, Susan Conrad and Amanda Zito. She will use EXPED’s technical backpacks, sleeping mats, pillows and sleeping bags on her various adventures.

“Working with companies that feel like an extension of my family and values has always been important to me,” said Rodden. “EXPED focuses on exceptional quality and has a wonderful, tight-knit team that I am excited to be a part of.”

Rodden plans to release her first memoir next spring detailing her extraordinary life of climbing, motherhood, and the emotions of joy and struggle that go along with it all.

About Exped

Started in 1981 by Swiss adventurers Heidi and Andi Brun, Exped builds truly innovative outdoor equipment, refining every detail to produce quality gear suited to all your outdoor pursuits. The result is incredibly sleek, minimal designs that forgo unnecessary frills while maximizing both performance and comfort.

About Beth Rodden

Beth Rodden has been climbing for over 30 years. She has been fortunate enough to free three individual routes on El Capitan in Yosemite, including the first ascent of Lurking Fear (still unrepeated) and an early free ascent of the Nose. She established Meltdown, which is arguably the hardest traditional route in the world. Over the past decade in her career she’s tried to help move the needle in the climbing world on body image and gender discrepancies. She lives with her family in California.

Stages Cycling Austin Rattler MTB and Run produced by Life Time welcomes more than 1,100 runners and cyclists at sold-out Texas event

Burnet, Texas (November 6, 2023) – The Stages Cycling Austin Rattler MTB and Run events, owned and produced by Life Time (NYSE: LTH), took place this Saturday, bringing more than 1,100 runners and cyclists to Reveille Peak Ranch, located less than an hour west of Austin. Athletes representing 43 states and four countries aged three to 75 years old took on various event distances as part of this fun-filled family endurance weekend.

“The Austin Rattler MTB & Run is a special event because it brings together seasoned athletes and first-time competitors for a day of adventure at Reveille Peak Ranch,” said Peter Spencer, Event Manager at Life Time. “We couldn’t be more thrilled to announce yet another year of this event’s success.”

On Saturday, runners had the option of doing one, two, or three laps around a 10-mile loop, which features a mix of terrain with 60% single track and 40% jeep roads. Runners participating in the 50K race kicked off the event weekend at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday. The 20-mile and 10-mile races started at 8:30 a.m. For the MTB course, riders had the option of doing one, two, or three laps around a 20-mile loop of mixed terrain. The 60-mile MTB riders took off in three waves starting at 8:00 a.m., followed by the 40-mile MTB at 8:15 a.m., and the 20-mile MTB at 8:20 a.m. There was also a Kid’s Fun Ride/Run on Friday.

BIKE RESULTS

60-Mile Bike – Women’s Results

Name City Age Time
Michelle Howe Granite Falls, Wash. 35 5:16:50
Carly Anderson Canton, N.C. 38 5:28:48
Shannon Miller Grand Junction, Colo. 36 5:45:40

 

60-Mile Bike – Men’s Results

Name City Age Time
Chad Barentsen Castle Rock, Colo. 34 4:14:26
Hudson Hale Spicewood, Texas 19 4:22:27
Ben Hall Harahan, La. 32 4:26:52

 

40-mile Bike – Women’s Results

Name City Age Time
Shanna Durr Shreveport, La. 44 3:47:49
Julie Rosiek Colleyville, Texas 55 4:48:03
Cariann Rohus Amarillo, Texas 49 4:55:57

 

40-Mile Bike – Men’s Results

Name City Age Time
Evan LeClair Georgetown, Texas 17 3:18:16
Aaron Carney Amarillo, Texas 15 3:40:30
Caleb Keith Sugarloaf, Cali. 28 3:46:58

 

 

20-Mile Bike – Women’s Results

Name City Age Time
Addie Walker Fayetteville, Ark. 20 2:05:51
Carol Keyes Bushland, Texas 54 2:08:00
Katelyn Kral Pflugerville, Texas 16 2:28:07

 

20-Mile Bike – Men’s Results

Name City Age Time
Grant Seade Austin, Texas 15 1:31:33
Eddie Seade Austin, Texas 57 1:41:48
Ty Bronder Cheyenne, Wyo. 17 1:41:49

 

RUN RESULTS:

 

50K Run – Women’s Results

Name City Age Time
Rachel Tomajczyk Williams, Ariz. 30 3:28:34
Nicole Bitter Austin, Texas 41 4:10:47
Katie Graff Austin, Texas 38 4:32:18

 

50K Run – Men’s Results

Name City Age Time
Erik Stanley Austin, Texas 38 3:20:10
Reid Burrows Grand Bay-Westfield, Canada 28 3:30:38
Mitch Klomp Fort Collins, Colo. 29 3:31:58

 

20-Mile Run – Women’s Results

Name City Age Time
Mansi Deshpande Los Altos, Cali. 43 2:54:34
Charlotte Wenzel Waco, Texas 43 3:08:13
Nicole Roan Austin, Texas 24 3:27:00

 

20-Mile Run – Men’s Results

Name City Age Time
Daniel Cucjen Dallas, Texas 30 2:38:58
James Birney Austin, Texas 36 3:23:12
Lowell Burkett Austin, Texas 32 3:30:39

 

10-Mile Run – Women’s Results

Name City Age Time
Elise Claffey Austin, Texas 26 1:21:27
MacKenzie Viglianco Hutto, Texas 32 1:26:50
Megan Hoogland Arlington, Texas 34 1:27:42

 

10-Mile Run – Men’s Results

Name City Age Time
Steven Hoogland Arlington, Texas 38 1:10:03
Andrew Kleckler Waco, Texas 20 1:15:02
Henry James Wasaga Beach, Canada 12 1:16:0

To view all finisher results, please visit Athlinks.

The Austin Rattler event is the final event on the Leadville Race Series 2023 calendar and is a qualifier for the Life Time Leadville Trail 100 Run presented by La Sportiva and the Life Time Leadville Trail 100 MTB. Next year’s events will be held on Nov. 2.

For more information, please visit https://www.leadvilleraceseries.com/. To view all Life Time athletic events, visit my.lifetime.life/athletic-events.

The Stages Cycling Austin Rattler MTB & Run is owned and produced by Life Time, the premier healthy lifestyle brand. This event is among more than 30 premier athletic events owned by the company, including UNBOUND Gravel, Verizon New York City Triathlon, Chicago Triathlon, and Miami Marathon.

About the Leadville Race Series

Originating with only 45 runners as the Leadville Trail 100 Run in 1983, the Leadville Race Series now consists of seven running events and four mountain biking events, plus six events in the Leadville Qualifying Series. The Race Series stretches across three months and hosts thousands of racers on foot and mountain bikes in some of the world’s most iconic events. Endurance athletes worldwide now make the pilgrimage to Leadville, Colo., with the single goal of competing in “The Race Across the Sky.” Visit www.leadvilleraceseries.com for more information.

About Life Time®

Life Time (NYSE: LTH) empowers people to live healthy, happy lives through its portfolio of 170 athletic country clubs across the United States and Canada. The Company’s healthy way of life communities and ecosystem address all aspects of healthy living, healthy aging, and healthy entertainment for people 90 days to 90+ years old. Supported by a team of more than 37,000 dedicated professionals, Life Time is committed to providing the best programs and experiences through its clubs, iconic athletic events, and comprehensive digital platform.

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REI Co-op welcomes Guillaume Ledieu as new vice president of Foundation Technology

Specialty outdoor retailer REI Co-op today announced Guillaume Ledieu has joined the company as vice president of foundation technology. The newly created role is focused on supporting the advancement of REI’s foundational business capabilities to drive operational efficiencies and effectiveness of its end-to-end value chain.

“Guillaume’s experience in helping companies transform will support our foundation team’s effort to continue their excellent work and to scale up to meet our cumulative business needs. This will enable the co-op’s ability to deliver complex, process-oriented change in an increasingly demanding space,” says Dan Shull, REI senior vice president, chief technology officer.

He was most recently vice president, business transformation at McCormick & Company where he led a global business transformation across enterprise functions including finance, order management, end-to-end supply chain, product lifecycle management and master data management. Prior to food manufacturing, he held leadership roles at Glatfelter and Black & Decker.

As a member of REI’s technology leadership, Ledieu will have oversight of the teams responsible for product flow, enterprise systems, technology management for product merchandising, and enterprise and domain architecture. He will also be part of the co-op’s corporate officers.

About the REI Co-op

REI is a specialty outdoor retailer, headquartered near Seattle. The nation’s largest consumer co-op, REI is a growing community of 23 million members who expect and love the best quality gear, inspiring expert classes and trips, and outstanding customer service. REI has 187 locations in 42 states and the District of Columbia. If you can’t visit a store, you can shop at REI.comREI Outlet or the REI shopping app. REI isn’t just about gear. Adventurers can take the trip of a lifetime with REI’s active adventure travel company that runs more than 100 itineraries across the country. In many communities where REI has a presence, professionally trained instructors share their expertise by hosting beginner-to advanced-level classes and workshops about a wide range of activities. To build on the infrastructure that makes life outside possible, REI invests millions annually in hundreds of local and national nonprofits that create access to—and steward—the outdoor places that inspire us all.

Leading outdoor brands come together to support The Conservation Alliance #WeKeepItWild campaign

(November 2, 2023) – Seven outdoor brands–including backpacks, apparel, footwear, and more categories–are joining forces to support The Conservation Alliance (TCA) by donating 5% of all online sales from November 2-8 as part of the #WeKeepItWild campaign. The semi-annual campaign includes Backpacker’s Pantry, Gregory Mountain Packs, Royal Robbins, Nomadix, La Sportiva, Oboz Footwear, and Superfeet.

During the campaign, consumers can shop for their favorite outdoor brands while supporting TCA’s mission to fund and advocate for the protection of North America’s wild places. This fall marks the fourth year of the campaign, which has raised nearly $400,000 for TCA. Member support on projects like this helps make a tangible impact on the organization’s work to ‘keep it wild.’ Just this year, TCA has played a key role in 16 conservation projects, protecting more than 11.7 million acres across North America.

“#WeKeepItWild brings together like-minded brands to drive meaningful impact during the holiday season,” says Conor McElyea, Senior Director of Membership and Partnerships at The Conservation Alliance. “Our members are where we’re able to make the greatest impact. Their membership dues and partnerships help TCA fund grants that go directly to organizations on the ground advocating for the protection of our public lands and waters. We are incredibly grateful to the brands participating in #WeKeepItWild and hope shoppers consider shopping with them this holiday season.”

Participating brands believe in giving back to the outdoor community and protecting the wild places we love most. The campaign is an opportunity for these brands to come together for a shared cause and give back during the holiday season. The funds raised from this season’s campaign will go directory to protecting wild lands and waters across North America.

Join the #WeKeepItWild campaign by supporting these brands during the week of November 2-8, 2023. For more information about The Conservation Alliance, please visit conservationalliance.com.

About The Conservation Alliance

The Conservation Alliance is a coalition of over 270 like-minded member companies who pool resources to fund and advocate for the protection of North America’s cherished wild places and outdoor spaces. Through the collective power of their membership – companies from a range of industries – from the outdoor industry to brewers, bankers, sportsmen, and renewable energy – take bold steps to conserve wild public lands and waters. Since 1989, they’ve awarded over $31.5 million in grants and helped protect over 81 million acres and 3,580 river miles, remove or halt 38 dams, purchase 22 climbing areas & designate five marine reserves. For complete information about The Conservation Alliance, visit conservationalliance.com.

 

 

 

 

The Visit Oceanside Adaptive Surfing Professionals World Championship Tour (AASP) Continues to Make Waves in the Sport with Unprecedented Growth and Prize Money

Truckee, CA — November 2nd, 2023- The Association of Adaptive Surfing Professionals (AASP), sponsored by Visit Oceanside, has just concluded another successful season, marking a significant milestone in the world of adaptive surfing. With 96 athletes from 17 countries participating in various events around the globe, AASP has firmly established itself as a leader in promoting inclusivity, athleticism, and excellence within the adaptive surfing community.

The 2023 season was nothing short of remarkable, as AASP’s commitment to the sport was exemplified through the generous distribution of over $134,000 in prize money. This remarkable contribution not only highlights AASP’s dedication to promoting adaptive surfing but also emphasizes their unwavering support for the athletes who continue to inspire and amaze us with their resilience and determination.

One of the standout events of the season was the U.S. Open Adaptive Surfing Championship (ASC) powered by the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences, which witnessed extraordinary growth since its inception. Charles “Chaka” Webb, a respected figure in the adaptive surfing community, expressed his enthusiasm for the sport’s rapid expansion.  He stated, “I’m overwhelmed by the enormous growth from the first year of the U.S. Open ASC at 45 athletes to this year, almost 100 athletes, and the prize money growth from the first year $13,000 to now $32,000. To watch the new faces of our sport that are young water men and women charging in very challenging conditions and surfing some of the world’s elite waves at such a high level. I am blessed to be part of such an amazing community of elite professional athletes.”

AASP’s dedication to growth doesn’t stop here. Looking ahead to 2024, they are excited to announce the addition of Byron Bay to their event roster. This expansion signifies AASP’s commitment to raising the stakes for the platform and the athletes they support. As the sport continues to evolve, AASP is poised to lead the way in shaping the future of adaptive surfing.

Throughout the season, AASP demonstrated their passion for the sport, their athletes, and their global community. The Hawaii ASC, Costa Rica Open Pro of Adaptive Surfing, and the U.S. Open ASC provided an extraordinary platform for adaptive surfers to showcase their talents and inspire others.

AASP remains dedicated to creating an inclusive and empowering environment for adaptive surfers worldwide. Their commitment to nurturing the growth of the sport, increasing prize money, and expanding their event locations sets the stage for an exciting and promising future for adaptive surfing.

For more information about Adaptive Surfing Professionals (AASP), please visit https://adaptivesurfingprofessionals.com/ & https://stokeforlife.org/.

 

 

 

Leadville Trail Marathon & Heavy Half presented by La Sportiva Shifts to Late June; Full 2024 Leadville Race Series Schedule Announced

Leadville, Colo., (Nov. 1, 2023) – The Leadville Trail Marathon and Heavy Half presented by La Sportiva will occur on June 29, 2024 – two weeks later than in previous years. Event owner and producer, Life Time (NYSE: LTH), made the change to provide runners with the improved chance of summiting Mosquito Pass by avoiding snow conditions as was the case in 2023 and many previous years.

Both courses feature out-and-back routes across extreme terrain on dirt roads and singletrack, winding through the historic mining district on the east side of Leadville. In typical years, the Marathon and Heavy Half races take runners up to 13,185 feet on Mosquito Pass, the highest continuous pass in the country. Despite efforts to clear Mosquito Pass in 2023, Leadville’s colder spring brought snow and freezing temperatures, causing both courses to be altered and turn around slightly below the summit.

Other event changes include moving the Leadville Trail 100 MTB Camp up to June 13-16, 2024, while the Leadville Trail 100 Run Camp will occur June 21-23, 2024.

Registration Dates:

  • Deferral registration for all Leadville Race Series events opens today, Nov. 1, 2023 through Nov. 15, 2023.
  • The 2024 lottery will open on Dec. 1, 2023, and extend through Dec. 15, 2023.
  • Registration for the 2024 Lead Challenge will launch Dec. 1 and is available on a first come first serve basis.
  • Leadville Trail 100 MTB & Run Camp registration will open on Dec. 1.
  • Lottery results will be announced during the first week of January 2024.
  • Leadville Race Series qualifier registration will open on Jan. 9.

Full Leadville Race Series 2024 calendar:

  • April 19, 2024 | Life Time Sea Otter Fuego XL*
  • June 29, 2024 | Life Time Leadville Marathon & Heavy Half presented by La Sportiva*
  • June 29, 2024 | Life Time Lutsen 99er*
  • July 6, 2024 | Life Time Silver Rush 50 MTB*
  • July 7, 2024 | Silver Rush 50 Run presented by La Sportiva*
  • July 20, 2024 | Tahoe Trail*
  • July 26-28, 2024 | Life Time Leadville Stage Race*
  • August 10, 2024 | Life Time Leadville Trail 100 MTB
  • August 11, 2024 | Life Time Leadville 10K Run presented by La Sportiva
  • August 17-19, 2024 | Life Time Leadville Trail 100 Run presented by La Sportiva
  • October 12, 2024 | Life Time Little Sugar MTB*
  • November 2, 2024 – Life Time Austin Rattler Run & MTB*

*indicates a Leadville Race Series qualifier event

To view all of the Life Time athletic events please visit: https://my.lifetime.life/athletic-events.html.

The Leadville Trail Marathon and Heavy Half presented by La Sportiva is among more than 30 premier athletic events owned and produced by Life Time, including the Miami Marathon, UNBOUND Gravel, Crusher in the Tushar, Leadville Trail 100 Run & MTB, and Big Sugar Gravel. The Leadville Race Series started with only 45 runners as the Leadville Trail 100 Run in 1983. The Series now consists of ten races across run and bike events. Endurance athletes worldwide now make the pilgrimage to Leadville, Colo., with the single goal of competing in “The Race Across the Sky.” Visit www.leadvilleraceseries.com for more information.

About Life Time®, Inc.

Life Time (NYSE: LTH) empowers people to live healthy, happy lives through its portfolio of 170 athletic country clubs across the United States and Canada. The Company’s healthy way of life communities and ecosystem address all aspects of healthy living, healthy aging, and healthy entertainment for people 90 days to 90+ years old. Supported by a team of more than 37,000 dedicated professionals, Life Time is committed to providing the best programs and experiences through its clubs, iconic athletic events, and comprehensive digital platform.

 

Arc’teryx Announces Partnership with ALUULA Composites

NORTH VANCOUVER, British Columbia – November 1 2023 – Arc’teryx Equipment, the global design company specializing in technical high-performance outerwear and equipment, is excited to partner with composite materials manufacturer ALUULA Composites to evolve Arc’teryx’s product offering using new and innovative ultralight fabrics. With a shared commitment to creating high-performance products for outdoor athletes in extreme conditions, the close cultural alignment between Arc’teryx and ALUULA Composites makes for a seamless partnership. Based in North Vancouver and Victoria, BC, respectively, the brands are united in their creative mindset, dedication to sustainability, and commitment to expanding what’s possible for athletes.

The Arc’teryx team was drawn to ALUULA’s unique approach to material development and commitment to unparalleled material performance, as well as the potential for game-changing product circularity. A major, shared goal is to further ALUULA’s existing recycling efforts by developing a take-back and recycling program for products built with this innovative mono-material that currently does not exist in the industry.

“Arc’teryx is a brand born of innovation. Since 1989, we have continually sought a better way, evolving the status quo, disrupting, and defying expectations for outdoor gear. Like Arc’teryx, ALUULA is a company of engineers, scientists, and passionate outdoor experts, and they share our commitment to innovation and unparalleled athletic performance. We’re excited to partner with ALUULA, working together to combine their next-generation composite materials with Arc’teryx’s expertise in creating durable, high-performance products for extreme mountain environments.” – Greg Grenzke, Senior Director, Design – Advanced Concepts, Arc’teryx.

Dedicated to delivering innovation for the mountain athlete, Arc’teryx continually seeks lighter, more durable material solutions for fast and efficient travel in the mountains. ALUULA is creating a new class of composite materials that supersedes conventional coated and laminated woven fabrics. Using a patented fusion process, ALUULA Composites has developed a unique way to fuse fibers at a molecular level. The result creates an extremely light, strong, and durable composite material that is up to eight times the strength-to-weight ratio of steel, yet is lighter than nylon, polyester, and even industry-leading aramid fibers.

“As a mono polymer material, our fabrics allow for groundbreaking no-sew and welded construction techniques, ushering in a new era of product design possibilities. Arc’teryx’s deep understanding of materials and construction can help ALUULA redefine the boundaries of sustainability and performance. We’re thrilled to announce our partnership with Arc’teryx and their globally acclaimed design team to leverage these extraordinary features, driving innovation for the future of circular outdoor products.” – Dave Westwood, Director of Partnership & Design, ALUULA Composites.

Following a rigorous development process, Arc’teryx will be releasing the first mainline product using ALUULA materials in Spring 2025. The partnership between Arc’teryx and ALUULA Composites has the potential to reshape how the industry develops new product and how those products are made and disposed of, leading to a global impact that goes beyond performance.

About Arc’teryx
Arc’teryx is a Canadian company based in the Coast Mountains. Our design process is connected to the real world, focused on delivering unrivaled durability and performance in extreme conditions. Our products are distributed through more than 2,400 retail locations worldwide. We are problem solvers, always evolving and searching for a better way to deliver resolved, minimalist designs. Good design that matters makes experiences better.

About ALUULA Composites
Based in rugged British Columbia, Canada, ALUULA Composites was founded to find solutions for real world challenges not being met by traditional composite manufacturers. Using a patented and proprietary approach to increase fiber strength at the molecular level, ALUULA fuses material together without the use of heavy glues. This remarkable process allows ALUULA to create materials with a previously unachievable strength to weight ratio. Fusion at the molecular level also enables ALUULA to develop composites that are recyclable.