BWF clears synthetic shuttlecocks for select tournaments

The Badminton World Federation (BWF) has approved the use of synthetic shuttlecocks from two manufacturers at selected lower-tier international events as part of a trial to evaluate their performance in competitive play.

The governing body said the synthetic shuttlecocks will be used at BWF Grade 3 tournaments and Junior International tournaments, marking a step in its long-term plan to assess whether such products could eventually be used at the elite level.

According to the BWF, the initiative aims to test the quality, durability and flight characteristics of synthetic shuttlecocks in higher-level competition to ensure they match existing standards used in professional tournaments.

The two products cleared for the trial phase are Victor New Carbon Sonic Max Synthetic Shuttlecock (SC-NCS-MAX-12) and Yonex Crosswind 70 Synthetic Shuttlecock.

During the trial period, the BWF will collect performance data from manufacturers along with feedback from players, technical officials and tournament organisers. The findings will help guide future decisions on whether synthetic shuttlecocks can be adopted more widely in top-tier competitions.

The move comes amid criticism from animal protection groups, which have questioned the continued use of feathers from ducks or geese in traditional shuttlecocks.

A standard shuttlecock is typically made from around 16 feathers fixed into a cork base. These feathers usually come from the wings of geese or ducks, and activists argue that the process of plucking feathers from live birds is cruel.

Animal rights groups have long urged the sport’s governing body to transition to synthetic alternatives so that birds do not have to suffer.