News for October 2010

This section contains the latest news from the composites industry around the world. A selection of this news is also published in Reinforced Plastics magazine and in the Reinforced Plastics Newsletter

If you have a story you'd like us to cover please e-mail the Editor at RP@elsevier.com


 

 

News Archive

Gurit reports results for first nine months of 2010

Gurit reports target market sales of CHF235.9 million for the first nine months of 2010, a 1.1% increase at constant rates over the first nine months 2009.

Q3 2010 – Winds up in North American and down in Europe

3TIER’s wind performance maps for the third quarter of 2010, show that in general, North American winds were up, whereas European winds were down.

Hexcel pleased with third quarter 2010 results

Composite materials manufacturer Hexcel Corporation reports net sales for the third quarter of 2010 of US$294.5 million, 14.5% higher than in the third quarter of 2009.

Rhodia launches polyamide composite range

Rhodia is launching its Evolite™ by Technyl® range of polyamide-based continuous fibre reinforced materials at the K 2010 exhibition.

Siemens supplies 260 wind turbines to Europe

Siemens has concluded a framework agreement with Enel Green Power for the supply and maintenance of up to 260 wind turbines with a capacity of 600 MW for European onshore wind farm projects.

New contracts to boost Chinese wind industry

Spanish wind farm manufacturer Gamesa receives new contracts in China to supply 197 wind turbines with a combined capacity of 251 MW.

Danish Yachts launches range of carbon composite military boats Danish Yachts launches range of carbon composite military boats

Danish Yachts is introducing its latest range of carbon fibre composite military vessels at the Euronaval exhibition in France.

Construction of 50.4 MW wind farm for India

Indian Energy has entered into an agreement with Suzlon Energy Ltd. for the construction of a 50.4 MW wind farm at Tejuva in the state of Rajastan.

Intertek awarded Nadcap accreditation for composites testing

Intertek has been awarded Nadcap accreditation for testing of composite materials for the aerospace and automotive industries.

TeXtreme carbon fabric used in new Bauer hockey stick

Oxeon's TeXtreme® high performance spread tow carbon fabric is being used in BAUER’s new SUPREME TOTALONE composite ice hockey stick to enhance its performance.

US Offshore Wind Could Generate 54 GW by 2030

Offshore wind could contribute 54 GW to US electricity networks by 2030, according to a report from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).

Von Roll launches phenolic armouring prepreg Von Roll launches phenolic armouring prepreg

Von Roll is extending its composite armouring products range with the new PARA-LITE® PHT20 phenolic prepreg for hard armour applications.

Alstom powers 80 MW of wind in France Alstom powers 80 MW of wind in France

Alstom says it will have installed 80 MW of its ECO 100 wind turbines in France by the end of 2010, across four wind farms.

Nanocyl unveils carbon nanotube developments at K

Carbon nanotube manufacturer Nanocyl will showcase its new range of carbon nanotube (CNT) masterbatches at the K 2010 show in Düsseldorf this week.

3A Composites Core Materials website available in Chinese

3A Composites Core Materials has announced the completion of the Chinese translation of its website.

Potential for deep-water floating offshore wind turbines Potential for deep-water floating offshore wind turbines

Offshore wind turbines could be sited in deeper water off the UK coast using floating foundations, according to the Energy Technologies Institute (ETI).

Plasan and TPI Composites announce joint venture

Armour protection specialist Plasan and TPI Composites Inc have formed a joint venture called Armored Chariots LLC to produce next-generation crew compartments for US military vehicles.

Bombardier inaugurates Learjet 85 manufacturing facility in Mexico Bombardier inaugurates Learjet 85 manufacturing facility in Mexico

Bombardier Aerospace has inaugurated the new facility at its site in the Querétaro Aerospace Park, Mexico, which will be responsible for the fabrication of the major composite structures of the Learjet 85 aircraft.

Vestas’ Q3 profit falls 23.6% - lays off 3000

Vestas says 3000 jobs could be axed – mainly in Denmark – as the wind power market fails to recover according to expectations.

Electric cooperative installs FRP utility pole Electric cooperative installs FRP utility pole

Bedford Rural Electric Cooperative has installed an FRP pole and dead-end cross arm in Shawnee State Park, Pennsylvania, USA.

Firehole announces contract with Farr Yacht Design

Software provider Firehole Technologies has announced a contract with Farr Yacht Design Ltd covering analytical evaluation, design review and modification recommendations for a high performance ocean racing yacht.

General Dynamics wins $17 million contract to produce C-17 components General Dynamics wins $17 million contract to produce C-17 components

Boeing has awarded General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products a US$17 million contract for the production of composite components for the C-17 Globemaster III military transport aircraft.

SmartFiber project to develop monitoring system for composites

The European project SmartFiber is aiming to develop an embedded sensor system for the structural health monitoring of composite products such as wind turbine blades, aircraft and boat hulls.

Gamesa opens global offshore wind headquarters in London

Gamesa will locate its global offshore wind headquarters in London with plans to invest up to €150 million by 2014.

UK to spend £60m on ports for offshore wind industry

The UK Government has announced £60 million in funding to establish offshore wind manufacturing at British ports.

Albany Engineered Composites plans expansion

Albany Engineered Composites Inc is planning to construct a new plant adjacent to its Rochester, New Hampshire, USA, operations to support its aerospace projects.

EuPC urges convertors to challenge material suppliers on availability

The European Plastics Convertors Association (EuPC) is urging plastics convertors to challenge their raw materials suppliers in court if they are faced with suspicious declarations of force majeure.

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.

Bombardier completes first phase of Belfast wing facility Bombardier completes first phase of Belfast wing facility

Bombardier has completed the first phase of construction of the Belfast, Northern Ireland, facility designed for the manufacture and assembly of the composite wings for its CSeries aircraft.

Toho Tenax's fourth carbon fibre line in Germany starts operations

Toho Tenax Europe GmbH has began full operation of the fourth carbon fibre production line at its Oberbruch plant in Germany.

PPG increases glass fibre prices in North America

PPG Industries has announced a price increase on all glass fibre reinforcement and speciality yarn products in North America.

Vestas Receives 128 MW Order in California

Vestas has received a 128 MW order for 24 V90-3.0 MW and 31 V90-1.8 MW turbines from Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) for the Solano 3 project near Rio Vista, California.

Wind and hydro players target wave and tidal power

A surge of prototype projects could signal dramatic growth in ocean energy industry, reports IHS.

WWEA: 16 GW of wind added in first half of 2010

The World Wind Energy Association expects global capacity to reach almost 200 GW in 2010 but calls for further improvements in national and International policies.

Reichhold announces resin price increase for North America

Reichhold Inc is increasing prices of all unsaturated polyester and vinyl ester resins sold in North America for the composites industry.

UK's Severn Tidal Power project ditched

Energy and Climate Change Secretary Chris Huhne argued there was "no strategic case at this time for public funding" of a scheme to generate energy in the Severn estuary.

Tods Aerospace to produce US airship components Tods Aerospace to produce US airship components

Composites specialist Tods Aerospace has received a contract from Hybrid Air Vehicles Ltd to design and build lightweight components for the US Army's Long Endurance Multi-Intelligence Vehicle (LEMV) airship.

Piranha unmanned boat starts sea trials Piranha unmanned boat starts sea trials

Zyvex Technologies' Piranha Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV), a boat built from nano-enhanced carbon fibre composite, is now starting sea trials.

DSM launches polyester resin for wind turbine blade manufacture

At the China Wind Power show in Beijing, DSM Composite Resins launched a new resin for wind turbine blade applications.

Ragasco anticipates cylinder order from Uruguay

Following a visit from a delegation from Uruguay, Ragasco AS is anticipating a contract for the delivery of composite propane storage cylinders to the country.

Last week's top 3 stories

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

GRPMS is Sunseeker's supplier of the year

Composites distributor GRPMS received yacht builder Sunseeker International’s Overall Supplier of the Year Award for 2010 during a ceremony held at the Southampton Boat Show in September.

China’s future wind power could equal 13 Three Gorges Dams

China’s wind power can reach 230 GW of installed capacity by 2020, and its annual electricity output of 464.9 TWh could replace 200 coal fire power plants, according to China Wind Power Outlook 2010, a new report jointly released by Greenpeace, the Chinese Renewable Energy Industries Association (CREIA), and the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC).

3M and TenCate announce resin supply agreement

3M has signed a commercialisation and supply agreement with TenCate Advanced Composites USA Inc that allows TenCate to purchase 3M™ Matrix Resin for the creation of customised prepreg products.

Multiaxials producer Formax invests in new R & D facility

UK carbon multiaxial reinforcements producer Formax is investing in a new research and development facility with a focus on developing unidirectional fabrics for wind energy and marine customers using the infusion process.

Suzlon selects MSC.Software to improve design of wind turbine blades

Wind turbine manufacturer Suzlon Blade Technology has chosen MSC.Software simulation products for the design of its next generation of composite wind turbine blades.

KMT Robotic Solutions receives order from wind turbine blade manufacturer

KMT Robotic Solutions Inc has sold an additional Root End Cut and Drill System to a North American manufacturer of large wind turbine blades.

Gamesa and Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding team up on offshore wind turbine technology Gamesa and Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding team up on offshore wind turbine technology

Spanish wind turbine manufacturer Gamesa and the shipbuilding division of US defence company Northrop Grumman Corporation have signed an agreement to launch Gamesa’s first prototype offshore wind turbine in the USA, and to jointly develop new offshore wind systems.

SABIC Innovative Plastics expands speciality polypropylene compounding

SABIC Innovative Plastics is adding speciality polypropylene (PP) compounding to its Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, USA, site in the first quarter of 2011 to meet automotive industry demand. The facility will produce SABIC® PP compounds and SABIC STAMAX® long glass fibre reinforced PP composites.

Wind power to provide a fifth of world’s electricity by 2030

Wind could meet 12% of global power demand by 2020, and up to 22% by 2030, according to a study published today by the Global Wind Energy Council and Greenpeace International.

Virgin Galactic spaceship completes manned glide flight Virgin Galactic spaceship completes manned glide flight

Space tourism company Virgin Galactic has announced the successful completion of the first piloted free flight of its spaceship VSS Enterprise.

Wind Energy Services Company consolidates operations in Texas Wind Energy Services Company consolidates operations in Texas

Wind Energy Services Company (WES), a US provider of maintenance and repair services for wind turbine blades, nacelles and spinners, is relocating its base of operations to Gainesville, Texas.

Interplastic announces resin price increase

Interplastic Corporation’s Thermoset Resins Division is raising the price of its CoREZYN® and Silmar® brand polyester resins, gel-coats, colorants and putties.

China overtakes U.S. to become largest energy user

International Energy Agency (IEA) calculations based on preliminary data show that China has now overtaken the U.S. to become the world's largest energy user.

Vector Composites licenses Quickstep process

US company Vector Composites Inc has been granted a license to use the Quickstep Process for develop and manufacture of composite components for the aerospace and defence markets.

AOC increases prices for North America

AOC LLC has announced a price increase on all polyester resins, gel-coat, pigments and additive products for the USA and Canada.

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.

Gurit doubles capacity for wind blade core materials in China

Gurit will double the manufacturing capacity for its PVCell™ G-Foam core materials in China. The products are designed for use in the manufacture of wind turbine blades for the Chinese market.

Latin American Association of Composite Materials to be established

The Brazilian Composite Materials Association (ABMACO) is leading a project that will result in the formation of the Latin American Association of Composite Materials (ALMACO) in 2012.

Fast cars, golf clubs, and carbon fibre Fast cars, golf clubs, and carbon fibre

Automobili Lamborghini SpA and Callaway Golf Company have teamed up to develop technologies and materials designed to enhance the performance of their products. The first result of the partnership is a carbon fibre material called Forged Composite™.

Hydro invests NOK850m in Norwegian hydropower Hydro invests NOK850m in Norwegian hydropower

Hydro will invest about NOK850 million to upgrade the Rjukan hydropower system in Telemark, southeast Norway between 2011 and 2015.

AOC announces price increase for Mexico

AOC LLC is increasing the prices of polyester resins, vinyl ester resins, gel-coats and pigments for Mexico.

UK solar market ro reach 60 MW by year end

Ofgem's prediction that the UK solar market is likely to reach 60 MW by the end of 2010 and 250 MW in 2011, has spurred Solar Power UK to extend its programme.

Matrix Composites achieves AS9100 aerospace certification

US company Matrix Composites has been certified to ISO 9001:2008 and AS9100:2004 Rev B, a quality management standard specifically written for the aerospace industry.

Lamborghini unveils Sesto Elemento carbon fibre concept car Lamborghini unveils Sesto Elemento carbon fibre concept car

Lamborghini's carbon fibre technology demonstrator, the Lamborghini Sesto Elemento, was unveiled at the Paris Auto Show this month. With an overall curb weight of just 999 kg, the car has a 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) acceleration of 2.5 seconds and a top speed of over 300 km/h.

Nammo Composite Solutions achieves AS9100 certification

Nammo Composite Solutions has obtained the AS 9100 certification for manufacturing of advanced composites for the aerospace industry.

Controversy over high subsidies to UK wind power

A difference in opinions has become apparent as the Renewable Energy Foundation (REF) oppose RenewableUK’s claims that very high subsidies to wind power are justified because the industry contributes to the UK’s security of supply.

AVK presents 2010 Innovation Awards AVK presents 2010 Innovation Awards

AVK (the German Federation of Reinforced Plastics) presented its 2010 Innovation Awards during the COMPOSITES EUROPE trade show in September.

Approved: Offshore wind farm for Sweden

The Environmental court has given wpd, a Stockholm-based wind power operator, the green light to begin construction of a large-scale offshore wind farm on Storgrundet, Sweden.

Protective coating for carbon composites wins technology award Protective coating for carbon composites wins technology award

Zircotec's plasma-sprayed zirconia-based coating, which protects composites from the effects of heat and abrasion in tough operating environments, has won the 2010 Plastic Industry Best Technology Application of the Year Award.

LM Wind Power expands site in Brazil

Independent manufacturer of blades for wind turbines, LM Wind Power, plans to expand its manufacturing base in Brazil.

Gurit launches wind turbine blade repair system Gurit launches wind turbine blade repair system

Gurit has launched its new wind turbine Blade Repair System RENUVO™ , comprising UV curing single-component resins and glass prepregs, UV lamps and associated equipment.

Ashland extends GRPMS distribution agreement to Finland

Ashland Performance Materials has announced a new distribution agreement with GRPMS to cover Finland. GRPMS currently distributes Ashland’s composites products in the UK, Scandinavia and Estonia.

Russia's SOLVER selects FiberSIM software to drive fibre placement system

VISTAGY Inc has sold its FiberSIM composites engineering software to SOLVER Company of Russia for use with a fibre placement system in designing composite aircraft parts.

Alstom builds 24 MW wind farm in Turkey Alstom builds 24 MW wind farm in Turkey

Alstom will construct a 24 MW wind farm in Turkey for Eolos Wind Energy Generation Co Inc, a subsidiary of Güris Construction and Engineering Co Inc.

Last month's top 3 stories Last month's top 3 stories

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

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.

UK renewable energy generation fell 12.1% in Q2 2010

Renewable energy sources in the UK produced 4.72 TWh in the second quarter (Q2) of 2010, down 12.1% from the same period last year, according to the Department of Energy and Climate Change’s (DECC) quarterly Energy Statistics.

Seoul introduces composite-bodied electric buses Seoul introduces composite-bodied electric buses

Non-polluting electric buses featuring composite bodywork are being introduced in the city of Seoul in Korea.

GE and Harbin tap into US$13bn Chinese wind energy market

GE and Harbin Electric Machinery Co Ltd (HEC) have set up a joint venture (JV) to manufacture and supply wind turbines to customers in China.

Natural fibres from banana plant waste Natural fibres from banana plant waste

The EC-funded BADANA project aims to develop procedures for the extraction of natural fibre from banana plant waste. The fibres will be used to develop thermoplastic composite products for the automotive industry.