News for October 2008

News Archive

Bamboo used as reinforcement

A range of bamboo reinforced polypropylene and biodegradable polylactic acid compounds and mat products has been launched by Transmare Compounding BV.

Aircraft composites partnership formed

Finmeccanica, an Italian aerospace, defence and security company, has entered into an industrial manufacturing partnership for civil aircraft composite parts with Mubadala Development Company of Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Ashland introduces marine gel-coats

A new gel-coat formulation designed to deliver a high level of weathering performance was introduced at the IBEX boat building tradeshow by Ashland Performance Materials. According to Ashland, tests show that its MAXGUARD® NCP series gel-coats retain their gloss longer than typical marine gel-coats.

GRP panels applied to underground station

Qinetiq is modernising Warren Street underground station in London with glass fibre reinforced plastic (GRP) panels as part of a multi-million pound contract.

Guidance on FRP concrete reinforcement

Three guides on fibre reinforced plastics (FRP) for concrete reinforcement that could help broaden markets for composites use have been released by the American Concrete Institute (ACI).

Specifications for FRP pedestrian bridges

The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) has published guide specifications for the design of pedestrian bridges made from FRP composites.

Corrosion resistant GRP grating launched

Strongwell is launching a glass reinforced grating designed to replace 1 inch (˜2.5 cm) steel gratings in corrosive environments such as offshore drilling and production platforms, refineries and chemical plants.

Ashland teams up with Indian partner

Ashland India Pvt Ltd (AIPL), a subsidiary of Ashland Inc, Dublin, Ohio, USA, has signed a memorandum of understanding with Natural Petrochemicals Pvt Ltd (NPPL) of Gujarat, which would allow NPPL to produce Ashland's polyester resins and gel-coats for India.

Polytec acquires Peguform

Polytec Holding AG is acquiring Peguform Group, a leading European supplier of composite parts to the automotive industry, placing Polytec Group in the top 100 suppliers to the global automotive industry.

Solar-powered UAV takes flight Solar-powered UAV takes flight

A solar-powered unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) made with carbon fibre composite has completed a three and a half day flight in Arizona, USA.

Luxury sports car employs carbon fibre Luxury sports car employs carbon fibre

The BPS240 Body Panel System and MTM®57 component prepregs from Advanced Composites Group of Heanor, Derbyshire, UK, were chosen for IFR Automotive's Aspid luxury sports car.