At the JEC Europe 2012 trade show in Paris in March, Momentive Specialty Chemicals introduced a new epoxy system for the mass production of carbon fibre automotive components and a line of epoxy resins for longer and lighter wind turbine rotor blades. The company also announced the opening of a development centre for transportation composites.
28 April 2012
AkzoNobel and DSM Composite Resins are introducing BluCure™ cobalt-free curing technology for unsaturated polyester and vinyl ester resins. With the use of cobalt-based curing agents currently under regulatory review in Europe, the two companies have decided to combine their respective intellectual property and offer the technology for license to manufacturers of resins and composite products.
18 April 2012
At JEC Europe 2012, AGY launched a ‘re-energised’ organisation and announced a deal under which CTG/Taishan Fiberglass of China will manufacture AGY’s new S-1 HM high performance glass rovings for use in wind turbine blades. We spoke to AGY's new President, Drew Walker.
12 April 2012
This year’s JEC exhibition takes place on 27-29 March in Paris. In this preview Reinforced Plastics takes a look at some of the developments on display.
02 March 2012
Investment banker Michael Del Pero and composites industry veteran Steve Speak offer their business perspective for the future of the advanced composites sector.
13 January 2012
World growth will slow in 2012, but the question is by how much – IHS Global Insight chief economist Nariman Behravesh releases his Top 10 Economic Predictions for 2012.
23 December 2011
A £25 million centre for innovation in composites design and manufacture officially opens in the UK in late November. CEO Peter Chivers gave Amanda Jacob a tour.
08 November 2011
Frank O’Brien-Bernini, Vice President, Chief Sustainability Officer for Owens Corning, discusses how composites can play a role in a sustainable business strategy.
02 November 2011
Tom Hedger, President of Magnum Venus Plastech, comments on the recent decision of the US Health and Human Services Department to list styrene as a substance that is “reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen” in its 12th Report on Carcinogens (RoC).
05 July 2011
Holger Krahmer MEP, Member of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety, was the keynote speaker at the European Composites Industry Association (EuCIA)'s Information Day on Competitive Composites: Sustainability & Recycling Challenges which took place on 4 May at the European Parliament in Brussels. This is his speech.
31 May 2011
The question of how to dispose of end-of-life thermoset composite parts is growing in importance. Traditional disposal routes such as landfill and incineration are becoming increasingly restricted, and composites companies and their customers are looking for more sustainable solutions. The European Composites Industry Association (EuCIA) addressed this issue at its Information Day – Competitive Composites: Sustainability and Recycling Challenges – held at the European Parliament in Brussels in May.
31 May 2011
Under REACH, companies will need to ensure the direct delivery of Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and associated documentation to their customers. REACH Delivery is a secure online SDS delivery service that ensures compliance with REACH regulations.
12 May 2011
The marine market consumes about 350,000 tonnes of composite material worldwide. Back in 2006-2007, that figure topped 600,000 tonnes. It will take a long time to get over the crisis, but there are signs of fairer weather ahead.
21 April 2011
The use of CFRP has spread to a multitude of new products requiring strength, reduced weight and high performance. CFRP is finding more applications in wind energy, pressure vessels, sports and recreation equipment and in higher-volume automotive parts. Carbon fibre supply currently exceeds demand, bringing down the profitability of carbon fibre manufacturers, which remain optimistic for an upswing in demand. The drive toward out-of-autoclave curing technology and shorter cycle times continues.
18 March 2011
Reinforced Plastics' preview to this year's exhibition taking place on 29-31 March in Paris.
01 March 2011
Sunny Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, will play host to the largest composites trade show in North America on 2-4 February, when the American Composites Manufacturers Association (ACMA) holds its COMPOSITES 2011 Exhibition and Conference. Richard Stewart reviews the current status of the US composites industry and takes a look at what the show has to offer this year.
03 January 2011
The American Composites Manufacturers Association (ACMA) annual trade show takes place on 2-4 February in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. We review some of the exhibitor highlights.
20 December 2010
North and East Asia have experienced mixed fortunes in recent years, yet the area remains the world’s most dynamic region, thanks to China’s seemingly unstoppable economic growth. Global engineering group Trelleborg reviews the latest developments in the region.
08 November 2010
The use of automated cutting equipment is not restricted to large composites companies. It is also proving its worth with smaller companies and in research and development applications. Amanda Jacob visited three Dutch organisations which are benefitting from the flexibility, accuracy and speed of computerised cutting systems.
15 September 2010
Reinforced Plastics takes a look at what's happening at this year's show, which is being held in Essen, Germany, on 14-16 September.
25 August 2010