Molten, the International Handball Federation's official ball supplier, has unveiled the official game ball for the 30th IHF Men’s Handball World Championship, which will take place in Germany from 13 to 31 January 2027. The new model, the H3A5000‑M7D, will be used at every match of the competition and will carry a limited‑edition design created specifically for this event, underscoring Molten’s long-standing partnership with the International Handball Federation (IHF). 

The 2027 edition of the World Championship will be staged under the slogan “Where Handball is Alive,” a motto that reflects both Germany’s vibrant handball culture and the emotional connection the sport enjoys throughout the host nation. The world handball flagship competition also returns to a country that last celebrated the men’s world title in 2007 on their home ground, a victory that turned handball arenas into national meeting points and remains a reference moment for German handball. Molten’s new ball has been conceived as a visual link between that history and the next chapter, placing the identity of the host country at the centre of its design.

Developed exclusively for Germany 2027, the H3A5000‑M7D incorporates the colours of the German national flag, with black, red and gold flowing across the panels in a dynamic pattern that echoes the movement of the game. The official tournament logo and slogan are integrated into the surface, so that every action is framed by the symbols of the event. The overall look is intended to mirror the intensity inside the arenas: fast, bold and unmistakably rooted in a country where handball enjoys a passionate, almost cult following. 

Beyond appearance, the new ball is built on the same performance platform as Molten’s latest generation of IHF‑approved match balls. A soft PU leather cover provides a textured surface that sits securely on the fingertips, helping players to control the ball confidently even in high‑pressure situations. The construction delivers a reliable rebound and stable flight, meeting the standards required for IHF certification and ensuring that the ball responds consistently from the opening throw‑off to the final whistle. 

 

Sustainability formed an essential part of the development brief. Drawing on work already introduced with the A5000, Molten has replaced selected synthetic materials with natural alternatives and reduced the amount of ink used in the printing process. These steps have contributed to a 15% reduction in CO₂ emissions compared with previous production methods, as confirmed by the company’s own environmental assessments. The H3A5000‑M7D therefore supports the wider ambition of staging major international events with a lower environmental footprint, while maintaining the durability and stability expected at elite level.

For the IHF and Molten, the launch continues a collaboration that has shaped the men’s World Championship for more than a decade. Since first supplying the official game ball for Qatar 2015, Molten has produced dedicated designs for every subsequent edition, including the A5000 model created for the last edition of the two senior World Championships, the men's competition in Croatia, Denmark and Norway and the women's in Germany and Hetlernads in 2025. Each new ball has carried the visual identity of its host nations while preserving the core playing characteristics that teams have come to trust at IHF competitions.

Molten’s sports equipment business has been manufacturing and refining match balls since 1958, supplying basketball, football, volleyball and handball to leagues and federations around the world.  The company’s stated aim is to provide products and environments that allow everyone involved in sport -players, coaches, officials and fans -to feel the full emotion of participation and to keep sport close to everyday life. In parallel, Molten is expanding a range of initiatives that address social and environmental challenges, from educational tools to ongoing efforts to review materials and reduce the impact of existing product lines.