Shapers Australia presents Kinetix epoxy systems

For more than 30 years Shapers Australia (Queensland) has been arming surfboard manufacturers globally with the tools, materials and knowledge to drive high-quality surfboard design and production. This has included products such as Shapers Spine-Tek, a precision-molded fiber-reinforced spine. Recently, the company has been highlighting its distributed Kinetix epoxy systems, made by ATL Composites (Queensland), which provide rapid room-temperature cure for lamination and cure to a clear, bloom-free finish.

“Beyond its high-performance capabilities, Kinetix bridges the gap between the traditional polyester systems and modern epoxy systems, offering the best of both worlds,” says Shapers Australia’s Jake Holloway. 

The latest addition to the Kinetix range is the Kinetix R111 laminating system for production surfboard lamination. It is a solvent-free liquid epoxy resin optimized with a translucent blue tint that produces a clear, bright finish. It cures to a bloom-free finish that is UV stable and offers high resistance to yellowing. With two available hardener speeds, fabricators have a choice of flip speeds — the H130 Fast can be flipped within 3 hours and sanded within 5 hours at 25°C, which is approximately half the turnaround time of the H125 Standard hardener.

“One of the key trends we’re seeing [in the surfboard industry] is the growing popularity of expanded polystyrene/epoxy resin construction,” says Holloway. “This combination offers significant advantages in terms of weight reduction, durability and responsiveness, making it increasingly favored by surfers across all skill levels.” 

According to Holloway, what truly sets ATL’s epoxy system range apart is its reliability and ease of use. “The system is versatile enough to cater to a wide range of manufacturers, from entry-level operations to large-scale production facilities,” he adds. “This flexibility ensures that anyone, regardless of experience, can achieve outstanding results with minimal barriers.”

Back on home soil in Currumbin, Shapers says it works with leading names in the domestic and international markets, including Channel Islands, Lost and Pyzel.