News for March 2010

News Archive

VISTAGY partners with NS Solutions of Japan

Software provider VISTAGY Inc has announced a strategic partnership with NS Solutions, a Japanese information technology specialist, to expand the use of its composites products in Japan.

Global wind is sufficient for 250 million consumers

The global wind industry posted another record year in 2009, as cumulative installed wind power capacity grew to 158,000 MW.

Boeing completes 787 ultimate-load wing test Boeing completes 787 ultimate-load wing test

Boeing has completed the ultimate-load wing up-bending test on the 787 Dreamliner static test unit.

New company to supply recycled carbon fibre

The RCF Group is planning to launch a new company called Green Carbon Fibre Ltd which will supply a range of 100% recycled carbon fibre products for use in a number of industrial applications.

Designate renewable energy zones across US, suggests think-tank

A US think tank says creating ‘competitive renewable energy zones’ would be a solution to raise the private investment that is needed to update transmission infrastructure, increase capacity for renewable energy and move toward the ‘smart grid.’

Siemens to build wind turbine factory in Britain

Siemens will invest £80 million to develop an offshore wind turbine production facility in the UK.

ASTM approves standard on composites for concrete repair

The ASTM has approved a new standard addressing the tension testing of composite materials externally bonded to concrete and other structural materials for repair, retrofit and strengthening purposes.

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.

Scott Bader Europe increases prices of all Crystic® products

Scott Bader is increasing the prices of all Crystic® unsaturated polyester, DCPD and vinyl ester resins, as well as all gel-coats, pigments, bonding pastes and Crystic Crestomer® adhesive products supplied from its European sites.

Desalination plant installs composite pipes Desalination plant installs composite pipes

A desalination plant in Barcelona has installed composite pipes and fittings manufactured by Spanish company Protesa using DSM Composite Resins’ Atlac® vinyl ester resin.

Reichhold launches new website

Reichhold has announced the re-launch of its website in a new, more user friendly design, with improved functionality and more information to assist the user.

Europe expects €1 bn investment in renewable energies this year

The European Commission and the European Investment Bank (EIB) predict that a new facility will support €1 billion of renewable energy and energy efficiency projects this year.

Chinese policies could make things challenging for foreign renewable energy, says report

China has moved steadily to prevent foreign participation in its renewable energy market, which will have a negative impact on the renewable energy industry in the United States and other countries.

Regulator funds US279m for renewable energy projects

The New York State Public Service Commission has approved US$279 million over five years for renewable energy projects, part of the state’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS).

Small business captures largest share of renewable energy grants

Small business in the United States received 23% of the federal funding for renewable energy support, more than any other sector.

New York: US$24m for renewable energy

New York governor David Paterson has awarded US$24 million in American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding to 206 renewable energy and energy efficiency projects.

Wales can dramatically increase renewable energy capacity by 2025

Wales has the potential to generate twice its electricity demand from renewable energy sources within 15 years, according to environment minister Jane Davidson.

Sika introduces epoxy resin for filament winding

A new epoxy resin system for filament winding has been developed by Sika Deutschland.

US native tribes key for renewable energy

Indian tribes in the US can combat climate change by creating jobs through the development of renewable energy facilities, says a report from the National Wildlife Federation.

WebCore exhibits TYCOR W core material at WindPower WebCore exhibits TYCOR W core material at WindPower

At the WindPower 2010 exhibition in May, WebCore Technologies LLC will be showing its TYCOR® W core material, which is designed to reduce total cost and weight of utility scale wind turbine blades.

NREL and 3M cooperate on renewable energy research

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and 3M have signed agreements on renewable energy research.

EPA, DoE to strengthen energy efficiency label

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Energy (DoE) have outlined a series of steps to further strengthen the ENERGY STAR energy efficiency labelling programme.

GE manufactures offshore wind turbines in UK GE manufactures offshore wind turbines in UK

GE will invest €110 million to develop offshore wind turbine manufacturing facilities in the UK.

Crystic® ‘Rapide’ gel-coat service expands into Spain Crystic® ‘Rapide’ gel-coat service expands into Spain

A fast response, coloured gel-coat mixing and delivery service for the Spanish composites market has recently been set up by Grupo Plastiform in Madrid.

BROETJE Automation introduces composites handling system BROETJE Automation introduces composites handling system

BROETJE Automation GmbH is introducing an automated handling system for fibre reinforced plastic (FRP) composites.

ACG resin systems suitable for space projects

Advanced Composites Group Ltd (ACG) says its HTM®143 cyanate ester and MTM®44-1 epoxy resin systems are suitable for use in satellite and other space applications.

Triumph Group to acquire Vought Aircraft Industries

Triumph Group Inc has signed an agreement to purchase Vought Aircraft Industries Inc from private equity firm The Carlyle Group.

Garrad Hassan updates wind farm design software Garrad Hassan updates wind farm design software

Renewable energy consultancy Garrad Hassan has updated its wind farm design software, GH WindFarmer 4.1.

Europe offers €56m to engage on renewable energy Europe offers €56m to engage on renewable energy

The European Union must engage all levels of society to support renewable energy, if it is to meet its commitment of 20% from renewable energy by 2020.

Scotland expects 26,000 new jobs in renewable energy

Scotland could create 60,000 green jobs by 2020 in low-carbon and renewable energy industries, according to the Scottish Government.

Alcan balsa plantation receives FSC certification Alcan balsa plantation receives FSC certification

Balsa wood plantation Plantaciones de Balsa, Plantabal S.A., Ecuador, part of Alcan Composites Core Materials, has earned Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Forest Management certification from the Rainforest Alliance’s SmartWood programme. This ensures that Plantabal meets a set of criteria supporting responsible forest management.

SAMPE and SME combine composites events

The Society for the Advancement of Material and Process Engineers (SAMPE) and the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) will combine their autumn composites conferences and exhibitions in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Lightweight swimming goggles feature carbon fibre Lightweight swimming goggles feature carbon fibre

Competitive athletes looking for every possible reduction in weight can now invest in swimming goggles featuring frames made from carbon fibre reinforced thermoplastic composite. The new Carbon Race™ goggles are reported to weigh 12-15% less than goggles with a conventional construction.

Tods wins Raytheon Defence Systems suppliers award

For the second successive year, UK composite marine engineers Tods Defence have received the ‘Suppliers Excellence Award’ from Raytheon Integrated Defence Systems.

Electric cars need lightweight composites Electric cars need lightweight composites

Lightweight materials such as composites are vital to the success of electric and hybrid vehicles to offset the added weight of their batteries.

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.

Audi A8 spare wheel recess employs reinforced polyamide Audi A8 spare wheel recess employs reinforced polyamide

Highly reinforced polyamide (PA) has been chosen over steel, aluminium and glass mat reinforced thermoplastic (GMT) to manufacture the spare wheel recess of the new Audi A8 car.

Narec’s wind turbine training tower ready for use Narec’s wind turbine training tower ready for use

The UK New and Renewable Energy Centre (Narec) has opened its 27 m tall wind turbine training tower at its facilities in Blyth, Northumberland.

Quickstep agrees manufacturing license with Northrop Grumman

Australian advanced materials company Quickstep Holdings Ltd has signed a Manufacturing License Agreement (MLA) with global security company Northrop Grumman Corporation, a subcontractor to Lockheed Martin Corporation in the design and manufacture of the centre fuselage for the F-35 Lightning II aircraft.

Texan wind energy protects wildlife using radar Texan wind energy protects wildlife using radar

A California-based wind energy developer has acquired a 283 MW wildlife-friendly wind farm along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico in southern Texas.

Composite replaces deteriorating timber screens Composite replaces deteriorating timber screens

Strongwell’s pultruded glass reinforced plastic (GRP) EXTREN® structural shapes have been used to replace wooden screening structures at The Vintage Club, one of America’s most prestigious country club communities, located in Indian Wells, California.

Mapping European renewable energy statistics

A mapping service allowing visual comparison of renewable energy statistics in Europe is now available from the specialist search engine for renewable energy and energy efficiency, reegle.

More US companies show interest in renewable energy

Half of the US companies which currently do not support renewable energy are considering options to generate or buy renewable energy, or at least to purchase renewable energy credits.

Renewable energy scores high in global poll

The solution to energy and climate change challenges lies in developing low-carbon sources of renewable energy, rather than reducing energy use, according to a survey across 22 countries.

BMW selects glass reinforced polypropylene for dashboard carrier BMW selects glass reinforced polypropylene for dashboard carrier

Borealis’ Nepol™ GB215HP, a long glass fibre reinforced polypropylene, has enabled BMW to develop a 20% lighter dashboard carrier for its 7 Series cars.

Bayer explores use of polyurethane composites in large turbine blades

As part of a project partially funded by the US Department of Energy (DOE), Bayer MaterialScience LLC is researching the potential use of polyurethane composites reinforced with carbon nanotubes in the production of blades for wind turbines of 1.5 MW and above.

Firehole launches CompositePro Version 4.0

Firehole Technologies has launched Version 4.0 of its Helius:CompositePro™ software.

US Governors: more support for wind energy

A bipartisan group of state governors want President Obama and Congress to adopt a set of recommendations that will develop wind energy across the United States.

Revenue for solar, wind and biofuels reached US$139bn in 2009

Growth in the three renewable energy sectors last year was 11.4% over 2008, and their US$139 billion in aggregate revenue will reach US$326bn by 2019.

1m jobs in wind energy by 2012 1m jobs in wind energy by 2012

Wind energy employed 550,000 people at the end of last year and will employ 670,000 by the end of 2010, predicts the World Wind Energy Association (WWEA).

Bombardier selects AAR for CSeries composite flap track fairings

AAR Corporation has been selected by Bombardier Aerospace, Belfast, to design and manufacture composite flap track fairings for the wings of Bombardier's new CSeries aircraft. The contract could be worth more than US$90 million over the life of the programme.

UK Marine Energy Action Plan launched UK Marine Energy Action Plan launched

Marine energy such as wave and tidal could provide up to 16,000 jobs in the UK, according to the UK Government’s new Marine Energy Action Plan.

Imperium’s ultrasound camera selected for Bell Helicopter NDI project

Imperium Inc's Acoustocam i600 handheld ultrasound camera will be tested by Bell Helicopter in a project to develop non-destructive inspection (NDI) techniques for composite aircraft components.

Sheringham Shoal offshore wind farm construction begins

Construction work on the Sheringham Shoal offshore wind farm, UK, began on 9 March.

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.

Bcomtesting adds new testing equipment

Composites testing company Bcomtesting has expanded its capabilities and services.

EU on track to meet target from renewable energy

The European Union will surpass its target to consume 20% of its energy from renewable energy sources by 2020, according to national forecasts submitted by its member states.

New associate joins Seifert and Skinner & Associates

Seifert and Skinner & Associates Inc (SS&A) has announced the addition of Kristof Weckx to their roster of associates.

Exova OCM achieves composite testing Nadcap accreditation

Testing services company Exova's laboratory in Anaheim, California, has acheived Nadcap accreditation.

US wind industry wants RES

The US wind industry, through the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), has called on Congress to pass a national Renewable Electricity Standard (RES) to save and create US jobs.

MVP conducts Light RTM training In India MVP conducts Light RTM training In India

Magnum Venus Plastech (MVP) has conducted its three-day Light RTM (LRTM) training course in India.

California funds US$90m clean and renewable energy

The California Energy Commission (CEC) says its US$90 million ‘Clean Energy Manufacturing Program’ will strengthen the state’s leadership in clean and renewable energy by providing financing to manufacturers.

Northrop Grumman expands composites training for TAI

Northrop Grumman Corporation is teaching Turkish Aerospace Industries Inc (TAI)'s engineers how to build the complex composite structures used in the F-35 Lightning II aircraft.

Renewable energy in Australia is “largely undeveloped”

The Government of Australia has released its first national Energy Resource Assessment, concluding that wind energy and other renewable energy sources are expected to become increasingly significant.

Energy efficiency in US could create 333,000 jobs

Proposed US legislation on energy efficiency would create more than half-a-million jobs within two years, according to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE).

Vestas awards Zoltek Supplier of the Year award

Carbon fibre supplier Zoltek has been named 2009 Supplier of the Year by Vestas Blades AS, the blade manufacturing division of wind turbine maker Vestas Wind Systems AS.

Seifert and Skinner & Associates formed

New company Seifert and Skinner & Associates Inc will specialise in filament winding, software for composites, composite processes and product design, and development, training and consulting.

Renewable energy can meet 100% of demand: US study

A study in North Carolina suggests that solar and wind energy could supply 94% of the electricity needs in the state.

Hawaii wind farm receives US$117m

The US Department of Energy (DoE) has offered a conditional commitment on a US$117 million loan guarantee to finance construction of a 30 MW wind energy project in Kahuku, Hawaii.

Reichhold announces price increase for Europe

Reichhold has announced a price increase for all products for the European composites industry.

Catamaran Cruisers adopts AOC no-styrene resin Catamaran Cruisers adopts AOC no-styrene resin

Catamaran Cruisers has started using AOC’s new Eco-Tek™ styrene-free resin in the production of its houseboats.

Russia's United Aircraft purchases MAG composites equipment

Russia's United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) has purchased three machines from MAG Industrial Automation Systems to support production of its MS-21 series commercial aircraft.

GKN Aerospace progresses composite engine fan blade project

GKN Aerospace's new £14.8 million facility forms part of the Environmental Lightweight Fan (ELF) programme, which aims to prove high-rate production processes for a new all-composite engine fan blade.

Last week's top 3 stories

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

UK wave and tidal to reach 2 GW by 2020

RenewableUK (formerly BWEA) says 2 GW of wave and tidal could be installed in the UK by 2020, but that further Government investment is needed.

INFUCOMP project to simulate infusion of composite aerospace parts

Simulation software supplier ESI Group has initiated the INFUCOMP European Research Consortium, in which 14 partners will aim to simulate liquid composites moulding technologies for use by the aerospace sector.

Toho Tenax launches 'ultra-lightweight' carbon fabric

Toho Tenax Co Ltd says it has developed a carbon fibre fabric that is less than half the weight of currently available lightweight carbon fibre fabrics. The fabric is said to be ideal for lightweight products ranging from golf club and tennis racket shafts, to personal computer casings.

LM establishes fourth turbine blade facility in China

As the result of a contract with new Chinese customer Envision, LM Glasfiber is establishing its fourth wind turbine blade manufacturing facility in China.

Spatial Composite wins $2.6 million Oman Air cabin trainer contract

Airliner Oman Air has awarded a US$2.6 million contract to Spatial Composite Solutions, the Dubai-based manufacturer of crew training equipment, for two new cabin crew safety trainers.

COMPOSITES EUROPE 2010 joins ALUMINIUM in Essen COMPOSITES EUROPE 2010 joins ALUMINIUM in Essen

The fifth COMPOSITES EUROPE exhibition will return to Essen in 2010 where it will be held alongside the ALUMINIUM World Fair on 14-16 September. The combined event will showcase more than 1000 exhibitors specialising in lightweight construction.

Iberdrola creates Scottish offshore wind energy division

Iberdrola Renovables will base an offshore wind division in Glasgow, Scotland, to promote wind energy projects that will amount to 10 GW of capacity.

Epoxy vinyl ester offers advantages over epoxy in wind blade manufacture

According to researchers at Ashland Performance Materials, epoxy vinyl ester resins can improve the economics and speed of wind turbine blade manufacture compared to epoxy resins.

Lotus Evora Carbon Concept debuts at Geneva Motor Show Lotus Evora Carbon Concept debuts at Geneva Motor Show

The award winning Lotus Evora provides the basis of the carbon design concept unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show this week. The car features a carbon fibre, leather and alcantara interior, carbon diffuser and composite body.

Renewable energy and efficiency loans for UK homes

The UK Government has announced a new strategy to make UK homes more energy efficient and increase use of renewable energy.

TenCate wins armour contracts

TenCate Advanced Armor USA has won vehicle and personal protection armour contracts amounting to approximately US$25 million, with a contract option that could result in additional sales of $10 million.

Financing for renewable energy to save US$22m/a

The state of Massachusetts has launched a new financing plan that will support renewable energy and energy efficiency projects at state buildings, saving millions of dollars in energy costs each year while creating jobs and supporting the administration's clean energy goals.

Last week's top 3 stories

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

Ashland announces resin price increase for Europe

Ashland Performance Materials is increasing the prices of its complete portfolio of resins and gel-coats produced and sold in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA).