HOLMENKOL (pronounced in the UK 'home-en-kol') is best known as the oldest ski wax manufacturer in the world.

In 1922 Dr. Fischer founded the company “Vereinigte Waxwarenfabrik AG, Hornungu. Dr. Fischer” in Ditzingen, Germany. Max Fischer, with a doctorate in chemistry and a passionate ski jumper was then developing polishing waxes, floor stainers and household candles.

It quickly became clear to Dr. Fischer that this professional specialized knowledge could also be applied to his hobby – so he mixed paraffins and other waxes in his lab and applied them to his skis. The result was remarkable, the wooden skis no longer fully absorbed water and glided much better!

This meant that Dr. Fischer had more fun when ski jumping.

The second product group was also born in the year of founding – the Skiwax range, named after the founders  favourite ski jump in Oslo – the “HOLMENKOLLEN”.

Until 2002, HOLMENKOL was a sales division of the former Vereinigte WaxwarenfabrikAG which has since been renamed to the LOBA company.

In September 2002, the chemical company LOBA established a joint venture with NANOGATE and the HOLMENKOL management. HOLMENKOL Sport-Technologies GmbH & Co. KG was born.

For the first time in its 80-year history, HOLMENKOL became an independent company.

Synergies were sought to optimise the joint venture. The experience, the know-how and the global distribution structures of HOLMENKOL came together with high-tech innovations of one of the most successful nanotechnology companies of Europe.

HOLMENKOL concentrates all of its activities on the development and marketing of coatings which are based on modern technologies. The cornerstone for future development is to develop high-performance coating products for other sport types in addition to winter sports.

HOLMENKOL continues to pursue aggressive growth objectives.  In collaboration with renowned research partners such as NANOGATE AG and others, HOLMENKOL is developing highly innovative chemical surface systems for different sport types: winter sports, water sports, cycling and outdoor sports. This includes special detergents, polishes and other sport coatings in addition to ski wax, glide seals and waterproofing.

HOLMENKOL occupies a unique market niche worldwide and is considered the technical link between chemistry and sports.