News for August 2010

News Archive

Zyvax partners with FRP Services in China

FRP Services will distribute US mould release manufacturer Zyvax's products in China.

A$65 million composites programme for Australia

A five-year composites research programme with a focus on strengthening Australia's position in the international composites industry, is underway. This extension of the Cooperative Research Centre for Advanced Composite Structures (CRC-ACS) programme involves 28 organisations.

PNE WIND completes second repowering project

PNE WIND AG has completed its second wind farm repowering project with the Görike wind farm in Brandenburg, Germany, quintupling the output.

Airbus to start 'green flight' trials with A380

Airbus, in partnership with Air France and air navigation service providers from UK, Canada and the USA, is about to commence ‘Transatlantic Green Flight’ (TGF) trials with an Air France A380 on commercial flights from New York to Paris.

Shell and Cosan JV on sugarcane ethanol

Shell and Cosan have signed a US$12 billion joint venture (JV) agreement to produce and commercialise ethanol and power from sugarcane.

Gurit inaugurates Red Maple blade tooling site

Gurit has officially inaugurated the new production site of its tooling business Red Maple in China. The facility allows for the development and manufacture of large blade moulds for wind turbines of up to 7 MW.

Opportunities for composites in construction

Demand for composites in construction applications continues to grow, but to optimise the use of composites it is important to involve the composites engineer early in the design stage of a project.

Last week's top 3 stories

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

TPI Composites plans wind blade development centre in Massachusetts

Wind turbine blade supplier TPI Composites Inc has announced plans to open a wind blade innovation centre in Fall River, Massachusetts, USA, to support its manufacturing facilities around the world.

REpower opens wind power technology centre

REpower has officially opened its new wind turbine technology centre in Osterrönfeld in the Rendsburg-Eckernförde district, Germany.

Recycled Carbon Fibre Ltd launches new website Recycled Carbon Fibre Ltd launches new website

Recycled Carbon Fibre Ltd has updated its existing website and launched a new site for its Green Carbon Fibre range of 100% recycled products.

SP - High Modulus exhibits at Monaco Yacht Show SP - High Modulus exhibits at Monaco Yacht Show

SP - High Modulus, the marine business of Gurit, will be exhibiting at the Monaco Yacht Show in September.

Chinese wind turbine production in Northern Ireland

Chinese manufacturing company Xiangtan Electrical Manufacturing Corporation Ltd (XEMC) may set up wind turbine production facilities in Northern Ireland.

Scottish offshore wind worth £7.1bn

Scotland’s offshore wind industry could contribute £7.1 billion of investment and create up to 28,000 direct jobs by 2020, according to Scottish Renewables and Scottish Enterprise.

BASF exhibits turbine products at Husum WindEnergy 2010

Chemicals company BASF will showcase its products for the manufacture of wind turbines at the Husum WindEnergy trade show in September.

Wind farm training courses in Turkey

More training courses for wind farm installation will be offered throughout Turkey due to high demand, GL Garrad Hassan says.

Motive unveils Kestrel bio-composite electric vehicle

Canadian company Motive has announced the development of Canada’s first bio-composite bodied electric car, the Kestrel.

Drink-driving? - Whisky biofuel for cars Drink-driving? - Whisky biofuel for cars

Biofuel made from whisky by-products could be used to fuel cars, according to Edinburgh Napier University in the UK.

Celanese increases Fortron® PPS production

Celanese Corporation affiliate Fortron Industries LLC will increase production of Fortron® polyphenylene sulphide (PPS) at its Wilmington, North Carolina, USA, plant to meet increased global demand.

JD Lincoln introduces epoxy-based surfacing film

JD Lincoln, part of the Composites Division of Umeco plc, is introducing a surface improvement film for epoxy composites.

Univar in distribution agreement with Celanese Emulsion Polymers

Chemicals distributor Univar has signed a distribution deal with Celanese Emulsion Polymers, a specialist in emulsion technology.

Looking at biogas in Central Europe

Biogas could be an important part of EU’s 2020 targets for renewable energy, and the EU project Sustainable and Innovative European Biogas Environment (SEBE) is now looking at technology and regulatory frameworks for biogas.

Last week's top 3 stories

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

Laser inspection technique for adhesive bonds

A laser inspection technique for assessing bond strength of adhesively bonded joints has been developed by LSP Technologies Inc.

MIRteq announces North American distribution agreement with Composites One

Australian company MIRteq has appointed Composites One as its exclusive distributor in the USA and British Columbia in Canada.

Morocco builds 200 MW wind farm

Moroccan power utility ONE is building a 200 MW wind farm outside Tarfaya.

Airborne receives €9 million from Holland Private Equity

Airborne International BV has attracted a €9 million investment from Holland Private Equity to accelerate the growth of the company. The funds will be used to build a dedicated manufacturing facility for the production of thermoplastic composite tubulars for the oil and gas industry.

SureBlades takes over where Vestas left off

Nearly a year since Danish wind turbine manufacturer Vestas closed its blade facility on the Isle of Wight, former workers have formed a company that manufactures blades for micro-turbines.

Largest ocean energy device installed in US waters operates successfully Largest ocean energy device installed in US waters operates successfully

Ocean Renewable Power Company (ORPC), a developer of river and ocean energy technology, says its Beta Power System has generated grid-compatible power from tidal currents at its site in Cobscook Bay, Eastport, Maine, USA. The company says this is the largest ocean energy device ever installed in US waters.

EPA sets emissions limits for cement plants

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is issuing rules that will cut emissions of mercury and other harmful pollutants from Portland cement manufacturing. This will require the US cement industry to invest millions of dollars over the next 3 years, says market research firm The McIlvaine Company.

Dow Venture Capital invests in Blade Dynamics Ltd

The Dow Chemical Company, through its Venture Capital group, has made a minority equity investment in wind turbine blade technology specialist Blade Dynamics Ltd.

Vestas falls into loss in Q2 2010

Vestas has seen a €162 million tumble in net profit to a loss of €119m in the second quarter (Q2) of 2010, and downgrades its full year forecast.

US firm manufactures composite tanks for Saudi Arabia US firm manufactures composite tanks for Saudi Arabia

US company RL Industries has fabricated three large composite storage tanks for a chemical plant in Saudi Arabia.

Transporting 62 m wind turbine blades Transporting 62 m wind turbine blades

Goldhofer, a heavy haulage and special transportation specialist, has launched a flatbed semi-trailer for transporting wind turbine blades up to 62 m.

Huber acquires Kemgard flame retardants business

Huber Engineered Materials has acquired the Kemgard® flame retardants and smoke suppressants business of Sherwin-Williams.

Floating offshore wind to Scotland Floating offshore wind to Scotland

Statoil’s Hywind floating offshore wind turbine foundations could be used in Scotland, according to Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond.

Danish mega wind turbine test centre Danish mega wind turbine test centre

Denmark’s Risø DTU is building a test centre for large wind turbines at Østerild in North-Western Jutland.

Gurit launches PVC core range for Chinese wind market

Gurit has completed the development of a new range of PVC structural foam core materials designed for use in the manufacture of wind turbine rotor blades in China.

Hexion reports higher second quarter sales

Hexion Specialty Chemicals Inc reports revenue of US$1.3 billion for the second quarter of 2010, compared to $947 million in 2009.

Global renewable energy expands rapidly

The global alternative and renewable energy industry expanded “rapidly” over the last year despite the global economic recession impact on worldwide energy demand, according to merger and acquisition (M&A) organisation IMAP Inc.

DoE Targets 50 GW Offshore Wind by 2030

The Department of Energy (DoE) is targeting 50 GW of offshore wind until 2030.

Ireland could have 300% renewable energy

Ireland’s renewable energy sources have a potential three times the country’s energy requirements.

Indian Theni wind farm fully commissioned

Indian Energy has fully commissioned its 16.5 MW Theni wind farm and the associated substation.

Last week's top 3 stories

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

ZCL Composites reports second quarter results

ZCL Composites Inc, a Canadian manufacturer of composite tanks for the petroleum industry, reports revenue of $31.0 million for the second quarter (Q2), ended 30 June 2010, compared to $28.1 million for Q2 2009.

Wind Simplicity Wind Turbines Designed for Recycling

Wind Simplicity Inc is in the final in the 2010 Design for Recycling® competition for its commitment to recycling in its design and manufacture of its Windancer small wind turbine.

Atlantis 1 MW tidal turbine to EMEC

Atlantis Resources Corporation’s 1 MW tidal power turbine, the AK1000™, is due for installation at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC), located in Orkney, Scotland, this summer.

COMPOSITES EUROPE showcases Dutch composites industry COMPOSITES EUROPE showcases Dutch composites industry

The partner country for COMPOSITES EUROPE 2010 is Holland and Dutch composites association VKCN will host the Holland pavilion, with support from the EVD International.

Greener cars = opportunities for chemical companies

Chemical companies can do more to support the automotive industry in going green whilst also opening new markets for themselves, says market research firm Frost & Sullivan. Electric vehicles are one example of the new opportunities available.

HgCapital buys 44 MW wind farm in Sweden

HgCapital has bought a 44 MW wind farm in Malå, Västerbotten, Sweden, which will be developed by NV Nordisk Vindkraft AB.

Vestas delivers 140 V112-3.0 MW wind turbines to Australia Vestas delivers 140 V112-3.0 MW wind turbines to Australia

Vestas will deliver 140 units of its V112-3.0 MW wind turbine to AGL Energy Ltd and Meridian’s 420 MW Macarthur wind farm in Australia.

Acrastrip resin cleaner now available in wipes

U.S. Polychemical Corporation has introduced a saturated wipes version of its Acrastrip composite resin remover.

Closed moulding demos at IBEX 2010

Composites One, Magnum Venus Plastech (MVP) and the Closed Mold Alliance will demonstrate closed mould boat building technology during IBEX 2010 next month.

Creative Pultrusions to supply composite distribution poles to Los Angeles Creative Pultrusions to supply composite distribution poles to Los Angeles

Creative Pultrusions Inc has won a contract to supply composite distribution poles to the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power (LADWP). The US$2.97 million contract is for one year with two optional one-year periods.

TAI delivers first large, complex composite structure for F-35

Turkish Aerospace Industries Inc (TAI), a major international F-35 Lightning II supplier to Northrop Grumman Corporation, has delivered a prototype of its first major structural element for the aircraft's centre fuselage – the composite air inlet duct.

Siemens Supplies 98 Wind Turbines to Oklahoma

Siemens Energy is supplying 98 wind turbines for the 227.5 MW Crossroads wind power plant in Oklahoma, USA for Oklahoma Gas & Electric (OG&E).

ABMACO organises Composites in the 2014 World Cup seminar ABMACO organises Composites in the 2014 World Cup seminar

The Brazilian Composite Materials Association (ABMACO) is holding a seminar on Composites in the 2014 World Cup on 12 August in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Window solar thin-film with over 20% efficiency potential Window solar thin-film with over 20% efficiency potential

Norwegian EnSol AS is developing a solar thin-film technology to be used on windows with a potential to reach over 20% efficiency and be commercially available by 2016.

Zoltek reports strong third quarter sales

Carbon fibre producer Zoltek Companies Inc reports net sales for the quarter ended 30 June 2010 of US$42.4 million, an increase of 40% on the third quarter of fiscal 2009.

Making bio-oil more efficient than diesel

Bio-oil could become a more efficient source of renewable energy with a potential of replacing fossil fuels such as diesel, according to a £1.4 million project.

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.

Automated Dynamics delivers machine to GKN Aerospace

Automated Dynamics has delivered a new piece of high performance composite processing equipment to GKN Aerospace in the UK.

Pro Ventum and GE build 90 MW Thai wind farm

German wind developer Pro Ventum International and GE are building a 90 MW wind farm about 250 km northeast of Bangkok, Thailand.

SO.F.TER. introduces natural fibre reinforced composites

SO.F.TER. will launch a new line of polyolefin based compounds reinforced with plant fibres during the K plastics show in October.

New study sheds light on US wind power market

With a record number of wind power additions in 2009, the U.S. is second only to China.

Four UK offshore wind demo sites announced Four UK offshore wind demo sites announced

Four UK offshore wind demonstration sites, each 100 MW or less, have been awarded by the Crown Estate to four companies.

Owens Corning reports second quarter 2010 results

Owens Corning reports consolidated net sales of US$1.4 billion in the second quarter of 2010, up 13% on the second quarter of 2009. Sales in its Composites business improved.

Fossil fuel subsidies are 12 times support for renewables, study shows

Global subsidies for fossil fuels dwarf support given to renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power and biofuels, according to a new report by Bloomberg New Energy Finance.

Energy Composites receives composite tank order

Energy Composites Corporation (ECC) is to fabricate 76 large diameter chemical storage tanks for a mining company's new nickel processing plant in Newfoundland.

ACCIONA Energy invests C$115m Canadian wind farm

ACCIONA Energy is building a 45 MW wind farm in Lamèque, New Brunswick, Canada, representing an investment of C$115 million.

Chem-Trend celebrates 50th anniversary Chem-Trend celebrates 50th anniversary

US mould release agent manufacturer Chem-Trend is celebrating 50 years of business.

HD Supply to sell Ameron’s uPole composite utility poles

Ameron International Corp has signed an exclusive distribution agreement with HD Supply Utilities for the distribution of Ameron’s uPole® composite utility pole throughout the USA, Canada and the Caribbean Islands.

Thermoplastic composite trunk liner for Porsche

At COMPOSITES EUROPE 2010, the Fraunhofer Institute for Chemical Technology ICT will display a trunk liner for the Porsche Carrera 4 made using a thermoplastic resin transfer moulding technique. The thermoplastic part weighs up to 50% less than the original aluminium part.

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.

Will Poland ever get offshore wind?

Development of offshore wind farms in Poland has been slow, despite the country's leadership of the wind energy sector in Central and Eastern Europe, raising questions about the offshore wind support in Central and Eastern Europe, according to analyst Frost & Sullivan.

REpower repowers German wind farm

REpower Systems AG has launched a wind farm repowering project in the district of Dithmarschen (Schleswig-Holstein) with Repowering Kronprinzenkoog GbR increasing the output of Kronprinzenkoog from 12.3 MW to 30.75 MW.

ICON Aircraft selects composite structure suppliers for Icon A5 ICON Aircraft selects composite structure suppliers for Icon A5

Icon Aircraft, Seal Beach, California, USA, has selected Liberty Aerospace of Melbourne, Florida, USA, and Flytech Kft. of Szombathely, Hungary, as suppliers of structural composite assemblies for the ICON A5 Light Sport Aircraft.

Preview - COMPOSITES EUROPE 2010 Preview - COMPOSITES EUROPE 2010

A preview of the COMPOSITE EUROPE 2010 exhibition will be published in the September/October issue of Reinforced Plastics magazine.

Reinforced Plastics Editorial Calendar 2011 Reinforced Plastics Editorial Calendar 2011

Six issues of Reinforced Plastics magazine will be published in 2011, focusing on the following topics.