Sustainable snow and ice protection: New organic fleece for glaciers and snow farming

Sustainable snow and ice protection: New organic fleece for glaciers and snow farming

The loss of glaciers and snow cover is advancing worldwide. To slow down this process, solutions are needed that are both effective and environmentally friendly. GlaciersAlive has tested and evaluated various microplastic-free materials for covering glaciers – with a clear result:
The fully biodegradable fleece SCHOELLKOPF SNOW Protect made by SCHOELLKOPF is a material from Western Europe that has proven itself in independent field studies and provides sustainable support for snow farming and glacier protection.

Why organic fleece?

Conventional PP nonwovens (polypropylene nonwovens) cause microplastics, which are a problem for nature and the environment. That is why we tested various alternatives on the Diavolezza in 2022 with the support of Mastercard. The result: only the newly developed PLA fleece (polylactide/polylactic acid) from SCHOELLKOPF currently offers the same protective effect as PP fleece, but without the environmental impact of microplastics.

Proven performance in field studies

In 2024 and 2025, the fleeces were extensively tested at various locations in Switzerland, including Corvatsch, Diavolezza, Titlis, Zermatt, and Laax. The results show that they offer the same level of protection as PP fleece, but with a significantly better environmental footprint. Optimization of the PLA fleece in terms of tensile strength, stronger light reflection, and a dirt-repellent surface is ongoing.

Conclusion

The biodegradable SNOW Protect bio fleece makes glacier protection more efficient, more ecological, and more sustainable. It combines scientific knowledge, sustainable materials, and practical application—an important step toward protecting alpine landscapes in the long term and raising awareness of their importance among future generations.