Badminton trials synthetic shuttlecocks amid feather shortage

Traditional shuttlecocks are made from 16 duck or goose feathers; Since the feathers of different wings are curled differently, each one is taken from the same wing to ensure correct flight and rotation.

China is the leading producer of shuttlecock, but poultry production in the country has declined in recent years as people turned to eating pork following outbreaks of bird flu and an outbreak of African swine fever in 2018.

The sport has also grown in popularity in China, resulting in increased demand.

Last year the BWF downplayed concerns about the shuttlecock market when announcing its strategy to explore alternatives.

“We are aware of global supply chain challenges and the resulting increases in shuttlecock prices affecting badminton communities around the world,” BWF general secretary Thomas Lund said in a statement at the time.

“Our testing and trial programs in collaboration with manufacturers for the production and promotion of synthetic shuttlecocks for competitive and social use are currently in place and are a firm part of our sustainability strategies for the future.”