News for February 2010

News Archive

SP-High Modulus gains IANZ accreditation

The New Zealand-based Technical Services laboratory of SP-High Modulus has achieved accreditation by International Accreditation New Zealand (IANZ) for mechanical testing of composite materials.

Gamesa’s 2009 results down – difficult year

Gamesa reports an overall fall in results for 2009 as a difficult market slowed down wind developments.

Product innovations awarded at COMPOSITES 2010

The American Composites Manufacturers Association (ACMA) announced its Awards for Composites Excellence (ACE) at the COMPOSITES 2010 show in Las Vegas on 10 February.

Sika epoxy resin has GL approval

Sika Deutschland GmbH's Biresin CR83 epoxy resin has been approved by Germanischer Lloyd (GL) for use in wind turbine, marine and industrial applications.

Siemens invests in UK tidal energy company

Marine Current Turbines (MCT) says Siemens Energy has acquired a minority stake in its tidal current energy turbine, to help deploy Britain’s first commercial tidal energy farm in UK waters within the next two years.

UDRI tests composite wind turbine towers

The University of Dayton Research Institute (UDRI) has been awarded US$270 000 in Ohio Third Frontier funds for research to design and test structures and materials for composite wind turbine towers up to 100 m height.

Mitsubishi enters UK offshore wind market Mitsubishi enters UK offshore wind market

Mitsubishi Power Systems Europe intends to invest up to £100 million in an offshore wind turbine project in the UK under a Memorandum of Understanding with the UK Government.

Terpol of Finland appointed distributor for Scott Bader

Composites distributor Terpol OY has signed a distributor agreement to supply Scott Bader's range of Crystic® products throughout Finland.

Kaman Helicopters licenses FiberSIM® software

Kaman Helicopters will license FiberSIM® composites engineering software from Vistagy Inc and use it to streamline the design-to-manufacturing process for large composite helicopter blades.

PPG restarts glass fibre furnace in North Carolina

PPG Industries’ Fiber Glass business has restarted a furnace at its facility in Lexington, North Carolina, USA. It will support increased demand, particularly in the wind energy and filtration markets.

Siemens 1000th UK offshore wind turbine Siemens 1000th UK offshore wind turbine

Siemens has installed its 1000th wind turbine in the UK at the Gunfleet Sands offshore wind farm off the coast of Essex.

Hexion to raise prices for composite polymers in North America

Hexion Specialty Chemicals will increase prices in North America for its unsaturated polyester resins and vinyl ester resins.

Green jobs if Canada renews incentives for renewable power

A coalition of environmental groups says Canada could create at least 8000 jobs by if the Federal Government renews incentives for renewable energy.

CCP celebrates 20 years

Cook Composites and Polymers (CCP) celebrated its 20 year anniversary as a company on 9 February 2010.

UK £8m offshore wind demonstration call

The UK Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has opened the third call for capital grant funding for offshore wind component and technology development.

GKN wins contract for Bombardier CSeries composite winglet

In a contract which could be worth more than US$100 million, GKN Aerospace has been selected by Bombardier Aerospace to design and manufacture the composite winglet for the new Bombardier CSeries aircraft.

Australia: 100% renewable energy by 2020

Renewable energy could produce 100% of the electricity needed in Australia within 10 years, using technologies that are available now.

Owens Corning reports 2009 results

Owens Corning reports consolidated net sales of US$4.8 billion in 2009, compared with $5.8 billion in 2008. The lower sales were a result of weakness in the global economy and the US housing market.

Report predicts growth for Indian FRP pipes and tanks market

The market for FRP pipes and tanks in India is expected to exhibit a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 23.8% for the period 2010-15, according to a report from Allele Life Sciences Pvt Ltd.

CCP announces prices increase for composite products

Cook Composites and Polymers (CCP) is increasing prices for all gel-coats, unsaturated polyester resins and vinyl ester resins, as well as all cleaner materials.

AOC increases prices for Mexico, Central America, South America and the Caribbean

AOC LLC is increasing prices of all polyester resins, vinyl ester resins, gel-coats and colorants for shipments to and within Mexico, Central America, South America and the Caribbean.

Reichhold increases resin prices in North America

Reichhold Inc has announced a price increase for all unsaturated polyester and vinyl ester resins sold in North America for the composites industry.

Last week's top 3 stories Last week's top 3 stories

The following stories were the most popular with visitors to the Reinforced Plastics website last week.

Zyvex Performance Materials supplies resin to Outerlimits Offshore Powerboats

Zyvex Performance Materials (ZPM) has announced an agreement to supply advanced resin systems for the Outerlimits Offshore Powerboats 2010 line of high performance powerboats.

2025 solar and wind energy costs charted

The capital cost to install a 20 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) facility by 2015 will be US$7981/kW, according to a report from the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI).

Lewcott develops phenolic prepregs for interiors Lewcott develops phenolic prepregs for interiors

Lewcott Corporation is introducing new prepregs and adhesives for aircraft, marine and other interior applications.

SP-High Modulus exhibits at Auckland International Boat Show SP-High Modulus exhibits at Auckland International Boat Show

SP-High Modulus, the marine business of Gurit, is exhibiting at New Zealand’s largest boating exhibition on 11-14 March.

Pirahna USV built using nano-enhanced carbon prepreg Pirahna USV built using nano-enhanced carbon prepreg

Zyvex Performance Materials (ZPM) has unveiled the Piranha unmanned surface vessel (USV), a lightweight composite boat built using ZPM's Arovex™ nanotube-reinforced carbon fibre prepreg.

AOC announces price increase for North America

AOC LLC is increasing prices of its polyester resins, vinyl ester resins, gel-coats and colorants.

Potential for US wind energy is 10.5 GW

Wind turbines on the continental USA could generate 37 PWh a year, according to a new study by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).

Wind turbine controllable rubber trailing edge flap tested Wind turbine controllable rubber trailing edge flap tested

Controllable rubber trailing edge flaps for wind turbines have shown promising results in wind tunnel tests, says the Wind Energy Division at Risø DTU, Denmark.

Ashland increases composite materials prices for North America

Ashland Performance Materials is increasing the prices of its unsaturated polyester resins, vinyl ester resins, gel-coats, pigments and additives sold in North America.

Clipper initiates offshore wind turbine blade factory construction

Clipper Windpower Marine Ltd, a Clipper Windpower Inc subsidiary, has started the groundbreaking of its offshore wind turbine blade manufacturing facility in Neptune Estate, Tyne, UK.

40% wind energy in the Falklands

The Falkland Islands in the South Atlantic have commissioned three new wind turbines that will supply 40% of the settlement’s electricity.

Where FRP bridge decks fit today Where FRP bridge decks fit today

In today’s infrastructure market, four bridge applications continue to make strong use of fibre reinforced plastic (FRP) composites despite the cost premium. Each application has a critical requirement for light weight to meet the design and operational objectives. In these cases, owners still receive the benefits of corrosion resistance and a longer life cycle while gaining the value of a light weight deck.

Alaglas adds 'green' appeal to swimming pools Alaglas adds 'green' appeal to swimming pools

Alaglas Swimming Pools is using new EcoTek™ resin from AOC to produce more environmentally friendly products.

Arkema introduces organic peroxide for large part infusion

Arkema Inc has introduced Luperox® IS 300, an organic peroxide initiator designed to speed up the infusion of large composite parts.

Ashland adds corrosion-resistant product to Envirez® 'green' resin range

Ashland Performance Materials has added a corrosion-resistant product to its Envirez® range of unsaturated polyester resins containing renewable materials.

USA: US$130m for building energy efficiency

Federal agencies in the USA will provide funding over five years to develop new technologies in building energy efficiency.

EU will meet renewable energy target

The EU will meet its 2020 20% renewable energy target, even slightly exceed it, according to the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA).

Syrgis constructs new organic peroxides laboratory

Syrgis Performance Initiators Inc has started construction on a new laboratory facility designed to support its global organic peroxides business.

REpower constructs Canadian wind farm

REpower Systems AG and Renewable Energy Systems Canada Inc (RES Canada) have completed the construction of a test wind farm in the Gaspé region, Canada.

Hong Kong plans 100 MW wind farm

HK Electric proposes a 100 MW offshore wind farm in Southwest Lamma Channel, Hong Kong.

Sway to erect 10 MW offshore wind turbine

Enova is granting NOK137 million to Sway AS to erect a 10 MW prototype offshore wind turbine in Hordaland, Norway.

Vestas delivers 99 MW wind turbines to USA Vestas delivers 99 MW wind turbines to USA

Vestas will deliver 33 of its V90-3.0 MW wind turbines to Granite Reliable Power Windpark in New Hampshire, USA.

Strongwell introduces GRIDFORM Design Guide for bridge engineers Strongwell introduces GRIDFORM Design Guide for bridge engineers

US pultruder Strongwell Corporation has introduced its GRIDFORM™ Design Guide. This aims to show bridge engineers that the GRIDFORM composite grating system can be used as an alternative to steel rebar in concrete bridge decks.

UK wave and tidal gets £12m

Wave and tidal could receive £12 million from the UK Technology Strategy Board in 2010 to develop “the wave and tidal technologies of the future.”

Gamesa opens wind turbine plant in India

Gamesa has set up an Indian subsidiary, Gamesa Wind Turbines Pvt Ltd, near Chennai, India, to produce the Gamesa G58-850 kW Wind Turbine.

Wind energy key for Turkey’s power demand

Turkey must exploit its huge wind energy resources if it wants to meet its increasing power demand.

Thermoplastic resins for wind turbine blade manufacture Thermoplastic resins for wind turbine blade manufacture

Wind turbine blades are currently based on thermoset resin technology, but could thermoplastics offer a better option? Dutch researchers are looking for thermoplastic resins suitable for use in blade manufacture.

US renewable energy industry wants key legislation passed this year

Five associations in the United States have banded together to urge Congress to enact key policies which will continue accelerated growth across the renewable energy sector.

Vestas’ 2009 profit up 13.3%

Vestas profit after tax for 2009 rose 13.3% to €579 million from 2008.

ACG launches BMI tooling and matrix systems

Advanced Composites Group Ltd (ACG) has announced the introduction of two additions to it range of bismaleimide (BMI) matrix systems. The new products are aimed at the structural tooling and component markets.

Global clean energy investment: US$145bn

China’s investment in wind energy last year kept the world’s overall investment in clean energy to 6.5% below the 2008 record, despite the worst recession for 60 years.

juwi constructs wind farm in US

juwi has started construction of its first US wind farm in Richardson County, Nebraska, USA.

Imperium develops smaller ultrasound camera for composites inspection

Imperium Inc is introducing the Acoustocam i600, a smaller, lighter version of the handheld portable ultrasound imaging camera currently used by companies such as Boeing for the non-destructive inspection (NDI) of composite materials.

LM Glasfiber joins Global Wind Alliance

Wind turbine blade manufacturer LM Glasfiber’s international service unit has joined the Global Wind Alliance.

Pressure sensor film helps optimise ultrasonic welder performance Pressure sensor film helps optimise ultrasonic welder performance

Sensor Products Inc says the use of its Pressurex® pressure indicating sensor film helps optimise the setup of ultrasonic welders, resulting in welds of greater bond strength in thermoplastic composite materials.

Indian Energy installs three wind turbines

Indian Energy Ltd says the first three wind turbines at its Theni Project have been commissioned and are now fully operational and grid connected.

Wind power tops new EU electricity

Wind power represented the largest share of new electricity generating technology installed in the European Union in 2009.

TenCate acquires UK armour company AML

Royal Ten Cate has agreed to acquire armour company AML UK Ltd. This acquisition will provide TenCate with access to the UK market for lightweight composite armour solutions.

Gibson/Jushi present Environmental Stewardship programme at Composites 2010

Gibson/Jushi will present information on their Environmental Stewardship programme during the Composites 2010 trade show in Las Vegas next week.

Siemens invests heavily in India – includes renewable energy

Siemens is to invest over €250 million in India by 2012, with a major part of this going to renewable energy.

Bayer opens carbon nanotube pilot facility

Bayer MaterialScience has opened a pilot facility for the manufacture of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) at CHEMPARK Leverkusen, Germany.

Cytec to supply composites to Bombardier aircraft programmes

Cytec Industries' Engineered Materials division has won contracts to supply carbon fibre composite materials for Bombardier Aerospace’s new CSeries and Learjet 85 aircraft programmes.

Wind energy grows 31% in 2009

The capacity of wind energy increased by 31% last year, adding 37.5 GW of wind turbines with an investment of US$63 billion.

Boeing sets up 787 Dreamliner for fatigue testing Boeing sets up 787 Dreamliner for fatigue testing

Boeing has moved the 787 Dreamliner fatigue test airframe to the structural test rig at its Everett, Washington, USA, site.

Gurit reports 2009 results

Gurit reports full-year 2009 target market sales of CHF307.3 million, 22.1% down on 2008, after a stable fourth quarter.

Wind industry aim: European single market by 2015

The European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) welcomes European regional energy initiatives, but says the aim is a European single market by 2015.

Big challenges for wind turbine blade suppliers Big challenges for wind turbine blade suppliers

The demand for bigger wind turbines, powered by longer rotor blades, has placed many challenges on the blade manufacturers and their suppliers. What developments could the future hold?

Resintex Technology showcases marine composites technology at SEATEC

Distributor Resintex Technology will be highlighting the range of composites marine products available from Scott Bader and SP-High Modulus during the SEATEC exhibition in Italy next week.

January's top stories January's top stories

The following stories were the most popular with visitors to the Reinforced Plastics website during the month of January.

Cray Valley announces price increase

Cray Valley has announced a price increase on unsaturated polyester resins for composites applications.

US DoI proposes US$73m for renewable energy

The proposed US$12.2 billion budget for the Department of the Interior (DoI) in FY2011 includes an increase of US$14.2 million over last year for renewable energy programmes.

Last week's top 3 stories Last week's top 3 stories

The following stories were the most popular with visitors to the Reinforced Plastics website last week.

DSM Composite Resins increases prices

DSM Composite Resins has announced a price increase for its entire range of unsaturated polyester resins and gel-coat products.

Jushi opens office in Singapore

Chinese glass fibre producer Jushi Group Co Ltd has established a sales and marketing office in Singapore.

REpower and RWE Innogy: 295 MW offshore wind REpower and RWE Innogy: 295 MW offshore wind

REpower Systems AG will deliver 48 offshore wind turbines totalling 295 MW to RWE Innogy for Nordsee Ost offshore wind farm.

BWEA: renewable industry calls for 2020 action

The British Wind Energy Association (BWEA) calls on the UK Government to consider a raft of immediate measures to deliver the UK’s 2020 renewable energy targets.

AOC launches EcoTek™ 'green' resins

AOC is launching its EcoTek 'green' resin technology for composites at the Composites 2010 tradeshow in Las Vegas next week.