News for March 2011

News Archive

Cutting Oil Imports by a Third – Increasing Renewable Energy?

Outlining the US energy strategy, President Barack Obama says oil imports must come down by a third by 2025 and that the share of renewable and low-carbon energy must increase.

Aiming for 20 MW offshore wind turbines

The European Union’s High Power, High Reliability Offshore Wind Technology (HiPRWind) project is looking into the development of up to 20 MW offshore wind turbines.

Umeco composite companies exhibit at Aircraft Interiors Expo Umeco composite companies exhibit at Aircraft Interiors Expo

Umeco Composites Structural Materials (UCSM) companies Advanced Composites Group Ltd (ACG) and JD Lincoln will exhibit their prepreg materials at the Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg in April.

Scotland approves two 69 MW wind farms

The Scottish Government has approved a 69 MW extension to the Black Law wind farm and the 69 MW Blackcraig wind farm.

Vestas 7 MW offshore wind turbine Vestas 7 MW offshore wind turbine

Vestas has unveiled its 7 MW V164 offshore wind turbine, which could see the first prototype developed in 2012.

Ashland introduces Pliogrip acrylic adhesives in Europe

Pliogrip™ 1000-series acrylic structural adhesives from Ashland Performance Materials are now available to the composites industry in Europe.

3A Composites Core Materials launches BALTEK SBC 3A Composites Core Materials launches BALTEK SBC

3A Composites Core Materials is unveiling its new BALTEK® SBC balsa core material this week.

Vestas confirms negotiations for 400 MW wind contract

Vestas has confirmed it is in negotiations with a consortium planning a near 400 MW wind farm in Mexico.

Toho Tenax introduces new high tenacity carbon fibre yarn Toho Tenax introduces new high tenacity carbon fibre yarn

Toho Tenax will introduce its new high tenacity carbon fibre filament yarn Tenax®-E HTS45 E23 at the JEC Composites Show 2011 in Paris this week.

VW plans production of XL1 concept VW plans production of XL1 concept

Volkswagen unveiled its XL1 concept car at the Qatar Motor earlier this year. Cloaked in carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) body panels attached to a CFRP monocoque structure, the plug-in hybrid-electric two-passenger car could enter small series production in 2013.

Composite tanks supplied to New York filtration plant Composite tanks supplied to New York filtration plant

An-Cor Industrial Plastics has supplied 38 glass fibre reinforced plastic (FRP) tanks for a water filtration plant under construction in The Bronx, New York City. The tanks were manufactured using Vipel® vinyl ester resins from AOC.

Amber Composites UK distributor for ROHACELL core materials

UK company Amber Composites can now supply ROHACELL® high-performance foam core materials from Evonik Industries.

EWEA 2011: Alstom upgrades its 3 MW ECO 100 wind turbines

Alstom has upgraded its 3 MW ECO 100 wind turbines with a capacity factor increase of 8-15% across wind classes.

SeaGen tidal turbine passes UK criteria

Marine Current Turbines Ltd’s (MCT) 1.2 MW SeaGen tidal turbine has passed the UK’s operating performance criteria for wave and tidal technologies.

TAI delivers first production F-35 air inlet duct to Northrop Grumman TAI delivers first production F-35 air inlet duct to Northrop Grumman

Turkish Aerospace Industries Inc (TAI), an international F-35 Lightning II supplier to Northrop Grumman Corporation, has delivered its first production composite air inlet duct for the aircraft.

Ashland to increase resin prices in Europe

Ashland Performance Materials has announced an April price increase for its complete portfolio of unsaturated polyester resins and epoxy vinyl ester resins and gel-coats sold in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Litzler acquires prepreg machine specialist WAECO

C. A. Litzler Co Inc has acquired the technical assets of Western Advanced Engineering Company (WAECO) of Orange, California, a supplier of custom hot-melt prepreg machines.

Scottish 47.5 MW wind farm gets planning approval

E.ON has been granted planning permission to build a 47.5 MW onshore wind farm near Garve in the Scottish Highlands.

IPS Structural Adhesive invests in new capacity, technology and brand

IPS Structural Adhesives is leveraging its merger with Holdtite Adhesives Ltd to create a new brand, expand production capacity and introduce new technologies to a broader array of markets.

TeXtreme Spread Tow Fabrics now available in +/-45 TeXtreme Spread Tow Fabrics now available in +/-45

Oxeon is introducing +a/-ß variants of its carbon fibre TeXtreme® Spread Tow Fabrics, initially launching a +45/-45 product.

Zoltek restructures carbon fibre business

Zoltek Corporation has restructured its carbon fibre business into three units focusing on Wind Energy, Composite Intermediates, and Technical Fibres.

Sino-Danish cooperation on wind turbine blade materials Sino-Danish cooperation on wind turbine blade materials

The Materials Research Division at Risø DTU will develop the scientific basis and computational tools for the microstructural optimisation of wind turbine blade materials with the China University of Mining and Technology, Beijing.

SP - High Modulus announces supply agreement with 3M

SP - High Modulus, the marine business of Gurit, has signed a commercialisation and supply agreement with 3M for use of 3M™ Matrix Resin in high performance marine applications.

Platina unveils Cyprus’ First Wind Farm

The €170 million project will reportedly provide 8% of the island’s electricity generation capacity.

India on course for large share of US$2.2bn clean tech market

Senior figures from Indian Government and business have backed a new report by international NGO The Climate Group, which describes how a low carbon development path is the only one that will guarantee future prosperity for India.

Europe decides on 13.8% import duties on glass fibre from China

The European Union has imposed a definitive anti-dumping duty of 13.8% on imports of certain continuous filament glass fibre products originating in China. This duty will be applicable for the next 5 years.

BASF opens epoxy composites lab in New York

BASF Corporation has opened a new epoxy composite laboratory at its technical centre in Tarrytown, New York, which will focus on wind turbine blade applications

Reichhold announces price increase for North America

Reichhold Inc has announced an April price increase on 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.

Interplastic announces price Increase

Interplastic Corporation’s Thermoset Resins Division is raising the price of its CoREZYN® and Silmar® brand resins, gel-coats, colorants and putties on 9 April.

AVK partners with CompoCyle recycling system

AVK (the German federation of reinforced plastics) is partnering with the CompoCycle composite recycling system developed by Zajons Zerkleinerungs GmbH.

ACMA launches two new closed moulding certification programmes

The American Composites Manufacturers Association (ACMA) has designed two new Certified Composites Technician (CCT) programmes – Light Resin Transfer Moulding (LRTM), and Wind Blade Repair (WBR).

Few shadow flicker issues from wind turbines in the UK

A study has found that there have not been extensive issues with shadow flicker from wind turbines in the UK.

Bayer MaterialScience concludes nanotubes license agreement with Hyperion

Bayer MaterialScience has concluded a patent license agreement for the use of carbon nanotubes (CNT) with Hyperion Catalysis International Inc.

LMS International and e-Xstream partner on composite fatigue analysis

LMS International and e-Xstream engineering have started a strategic partnership to develop fatigue tools for random fibre reinforced composites.

EWEA 2011: 4.1 MW GE offshore wind turbine

GE introduced a 4.1 MW direct drive offshore wind turbine at EWEA 2011 in Brussels this week.

EWEA 2011: Europe needs renewable energy targets beyond 2020

The EU needs to adopt binding renewable energy targets for 2030 to ensure long-term investment, according to the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA).

Wind turbine blades based on ASA resin Wind turbine blades based on ASA resin

Dutch company EverkinetIQ International has developed its first small wind turbine based on a glass fibre reinforced ASA resin from BASF.

AOC announces price increase for Mexico, Latin America, South America and Caribbean

AOC LLC has announced a 7 April price increase for all polyester resins, vinyl ester resins, gel-coats and pigments for all shipments to, from, and within Mexico, Latin America, South America and the Caribbean.

BAE Systems Composite Structures selects FiberSIM software to design aircraft parts BAE Systems Composite Structures selects FiberSIM software to design aircraft parts

BAE Systems Composite Structures Inc has purchased VISTAGY Inc's FiberSIM® software to design and manufacture parts for commercial aircraft programmes.

EWEA 2011: China could surpass 70 GW installed wind by 2015

China could surpass 70 GW of installed wind power in 2015 under the country’s new Five Year Plan, according to the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC).

EWEA 2011: Vestas’ 6 MW offshore wind turbine to Gode Wind III

Vestas’ 6 MW offshore wind turbine, which will be presented later this month, will be deployed by PNE Wind at Gode Wind III of the German coast.

Cray Valley announces price increase

Cray Valley is increasing the price of its complete portfolio of resins and gel-coats produced in Europe in April.

Scott & Fyfe appoints Azelis Composites UK distributor

Scott & Fyfe Ltd has appointed Azelis Composites as distributor for its range of glass fibre reinforcements in the UK and Ireland.

ATK orders MAG fibre placement systems for F-35 work ATK orders MAG fibre placement systems for F-35 work

MAG IAS has received an order for two VIPER® 6000 Fibre Placement Systems from Alliant Techsystems (ATK) for use in the manufacture of wings for the F-35 Lightning II fighter aircraft.

EWEA 2011: Alstom Wind goes offshore

Alstom Wind is going offshore with its new 6 MW permanent magnet direct drive wind turbine.

Audi develops carbon fibre skis Audi develops carbon fibre skis

Audi Concept Design has developed lightweight carbon fibre skis which may be ready for series production by this winter.

AOC announces price increase for North America

AOC LLC will increase the prices of all its products for the USA and Canada on 11 April 2011.

Airbus inaugurates Chinese facilities to produce A350 XWB components

The Harbin Hafei Airbus Composite Manufacturing Centre, a joint venture between Airbus and its Chinese partners, has been officially inaugurated in Harbin, China. The new facilities will mainly be used to manufacture composite parts for the Airbus A350 XWB aircraft.

Research predicts waste-to-energy market growth

A study by SBI Energy shows that the thermal and digestion waste-to-energy market is to be unaffected by the global economic downturn, forecasting the annual global market for all technologies combined are to exceed US$27 billion by 2021.

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.

Aston Martin Racing launches AMR-One Aston Martin Racing launches AMR-One

The Prodrive-run Aston Martin Racing team has revealed its new AMR-One car, which features a carbon fibre monocoque.

38 MW Polish wind project gets underway

ACCIONA Energy begins construction of its first wind farm in Poland which is to be situated at Golice in the west of the country.

ACE promotes PlyMatch technology in North America ACE promotes PlyMatch technology in North America

Applied Composites Engineering (ACE) has been appointed exclusive agent for Anaglyph's PlyMatch™ ply placement technology in the USA and Canada.

Composite products market forecast to reach $79b in 2011

At the end of 2010, the market for composite products reached an estimated US$50 billion and it is expected to reach $78 billion in 2016, according to a report from Lucintel.

US Solar Market Grew 67% to US$6bn in 2010 US Solar Market Grew 67% to US$6bn in 2010

The US solar market value grew 67% last year to US$6 billion despite the recession, according to a report from the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and GMT Research.

Owens Corning opens glass fibre plant in Hangzhou, China

Owens Corning has held the official opening ceremony of its new glass fibre production facility in the Yuhang Economic and Development Zone, Hangzhou, China.

EU publishes 2050 Low Carbon Roadmap

An ambitious vision for Europe’s energy sector over the next 30 years has been published by the European Commission.

Gamesa invests in Indian wind power market

Wind turbine manufacturer Gamesa is expanding its presence in India by building new manufacturing plants and a wind power technology centre.

X-47B unmanned aircraft achieves first flight X-47B unmanned aircraft achieves first flight

The US Navy / Northrop Grumman X-47B unmanned aircraft successfully completed its maiden flight last month with GKN Aerospace-developed and manufactured wings and fuselage structure.

ETI shows viability of vertical axis offshore wind turbines ETI shows viability of vertical axis offshore wind turbines

Vertical axis offshore wind turbines could provide an alternative to conventional horizontal turbine designs, according to the Energy Technologies Institute.

Teijin establishes mass production technologies for carbon fibre composite Teijin establishes mass production technologies for carbon fibre composite

Teijin Ltd has announced that it has established the world’s first mass production technologies for carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP). The company claims it can mould a vehicle cabin frame in under 60 seconds.

Strongwell upgrades testing capabilities Strongwell upgrades testing capabilities

Pultruder Strongwell’s laboratory is now equipped with an Instron 5984 materials testing machine with an environmental chamber.

China could have 26.7% renewable energy by 2030 China could have 26.7% renewable energy by 2030

Renewable energy could supply 26.7% of China’s energy consumption by 2030, although the more probable middle scenario sets the share at 20-22%, according to the Centre for Renewable Energy Development (CRED).

BMW launches BMW i sub-brand

BMW has launched a sub-brand focused on developing sustainable mobility solutions – BMW i. Two models will be introduced from 2013, both featuring carbon fibre composite passenger cells.

Global wind market to resume growth in 2011

A new report predicts that the global wind turbine market will expand in 2011, with an estimated growth of 18%, after the global growth in new grid connected wind capacity slowed in 2010.

Delta Motorsport unveils E-4 Coupé electric car Delta Motorsport unveils E-4 Coupé electric car

Delta Motorsport Ltd unveils its all-electric E-4 Coupé this week, during the UK stage of the European Automotive Industry Technology Roadshow (EAIT). The car was manufactured using ACG's composite products.

Latin America and Caribbean poised for renewable growth

Delegates at a renewable energy conference for Latin America and the Caribbean have called for investment into the region.

Volkswagen buys shares in SGL Carbon

Car maker Volkswagen AG has purchased an 8.18% stake in the equity of carbon fibre manufacturer SGL Carbon.

Axson Technologies invests in China and India

Axson Technologies, a specialist in the manufacture of epoxy and polyurethane resins, is opening a new production plant in China, and is planning to open a new site in India by the end of 2011.

WINDSPEED roadmap for North Sea offshore wind

EWEA 2011: A roadmap defining an ambitious, but realistic target and development pathway to 2030 for offshore wind in the Central and Southern North will be presented at EWEA 2011 in Brussels next week.

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.

Lamborghini unveils Aventador LP 700-4 Lamborghini unveils Aventador LP 700-4

Lamborghini launched its new Aventador LP 700-4 model at the Geneva Motor Show last week. The car is based on a carbon fibre composite monocoque that combines lightweight engineering with the highest levels of stiffness and safety.

REpower intros 3.2 MW wind turbine at EWEA

REpower Systems AG will introduce a 3.2 MW wind turbine with a hub height of 143 m at the European Wind Energy Association’s EWEA 2011 in Belgium this month.

Tods Aerospace showcases composite flooring at Aircraft Interiors Expo

Tods Aerospace will be focussing on its range of carbon, glass and aluminium skinned composite structural flooring at the Aircraft Interiors Expo in Germany next month.

Quickstep and Sikorsky sign MOU on defence contracts

Australian company Quickstep Holdings Ltd has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with helicopter company Sikorsky International Operations Inc aimed at enabling Quickstep to become part of Sikorsky’s global supply chain.

Hexcel prepregs GL approved for wind blades

Two further Hexcel HexPly® unidirectional carbon fibre prepregs have been certified by Germanischer Lloyd (GL) for use in the manufacture of wind turbine blades.

Composite panel for rail flooring applications Composite panel for rail flooring applications

Haysite Reinforced Plastics' Dura-Core 1000™ composite sandwich panel is said to exhibit excellent flame, smoke and toxicity (FST) properties and is designed for use as a floor material in light transit rail car interiors.

Core Molding Technologies launches Featherlite low-density SMC

Core Molding Technologies Inc says it new Featherlite™ low-density sheet moulding compound (SMC) offers high surface quality and improved economics.

New global investment in renewable energy hit US$243bn in 2010

Global offshore wind and solar energy markets continued to grow steadily last year, according to Ernst & Young.

NATEX bio-composites workshop

The first NATEX workshop on bio-composites for the textiles sector takes place later this month in Poland.

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

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

Australian composites research programme launched

An extension of the Cooperative Research Centre for Advanced Composite Structures (CRC-ACS) has been launched in Australia.

DSM and Kemrock announce $25m composite resins joint venture in India

DSM has announced a partnership with Indian company Kemrock Industries and Exports Ltd for the production of speciality composite resins in India. DSM and Kemrock will invest US$25 million in the joint venture.