News for October 2011

News Archive

Half of Danish power consumption provided by wind in 2020

The new Danish centre-left coalition government has increased the target for wind capacity to 50% of the total power consumption in Denmark in 2020.

DONG tests Vestas' 7 MW offshore wind turbine DONG tests Vestas' 7 MW offshore wind turbine

DONG Energy and Vestas will test Vestas' V164 7 MW offshore wind turbine at DONG’s demonstration site in the waters off Frederikshavn in Northern Jutland, Denmark.

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.

US Liner Company introduces sandwich panel with recycled core US Liner Company introduces sandwich panel with recycled core

US Liner Company's latest product is ECOTEX, a panel consisting of glass fibre reinforced thermoplastic skins and chopped long fibre polypropylene and glass core.

Scott Bader's Crystic Rapide gel-coat service expands into Germany Scott Bader's Crystic Rapide gel-coat service expands into Germany

A fast response, coloured gel-coat mixing and delivery service for the German composites market has been set up by Bodo Möller Chemie GmbH in its facilities in Offenbach am Main, near Frankfurt.

Bonded nut plate stand-offs made with Victrex PEEK polymer Bonded nut plate stand-offs made with Victrex PEEK polymer

When Click Bond Inc wanted to develop a bonded nut plate stand-off for the cargo doors of a major manufacturer's new generation of commercial aircraft, it chose Victrex® PEEK™ polymer for the composite part.

SP-High Modulus to highlight extended core materials range at METS 2011 SP-High Modulus to highlight extended core materials range at METS 2011

SP-High Modulus is exhibiting at the METS (Marine Equipment Trade Show) in Amsterdam on 15-17 November.

REpower supplies 12 wind turbines to Alaska

REpower Systems SE will deliver 12 wind turbines to Golden Valley Electric Association (GVEA) for the 24.6 MW Eva Creek wind farm near Ferry, Alaska, USA.

Hexcel reports strong 2011 third quarter

Hexcel Corporation reports net sales for the third quarter of 2011 of US$351.8 million, 19.5% higher than for the third quarter of 2010, led by strong business in the commercial aerospace sector.

Zwick sees growth in composites testing Zwick sees growth in composites testing

German testing equipment manufacturer Zwick Roell is seeing growth in the composites market.

EMEC showcases Scotland’s renewable energy potential

The European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) welcomed the Energy and Climate Change Select Committee (ECCC) to its base at Stromness and testing sites around the Islands for wave and tidal power, last week.

Owens Corning reports record quarterly results

Owens Corning reports that consolidated net sales reached US$1.5 billion in the third quarter of 2011, up 22% from the same period last year.

ETI models the UK’s tidal energy resources

The Energy Technologies Institute (ETI) will model the UK's tidal energy resources to improve understanding of the possible interactions between tidal energy extraction systems as they are deployed between now and 2050.

BASF introduces improved crash-optimised polyamide composites BASF introduces improved crash-optimised polyamide composites

The three new products joining BASF's crash-optimised glass reinforced polyamide 6 range are designed for crash-relevant automotive parts such as steering wheel components, body inserts and seat structures.

Foundations in place for Thornton Bank 2 offshore wind farm Foundations in place for Thornton Bank 2 offshore wind farm

The 25 jacket foundations for RWE Innogy's Thornton Bank 2 offshore wind farm off the coast of Belgium have now been installed.

One-piece concrete forms manufactured from long glass fibre thermoplastic One-piece concrete forms manufactured from long glass fibre thermoplastic

SABIC Innovative Plastics and construction supply company Meccano de Mexico have developed one-piece, reusable concrete forms made from SABIC’s LNP Verton long glass fibre reinforced thermoplastic composite.

Bayer develops polyurethane-based composites for wind blades

Bayer MaterialScience LLC has conducted studies to compare the performance of its new Baydur® polyurethane systems with that of epoxy and vinyl ester based composites.

Dutch Thermoplastic Components exhibits at The Composites Engineering Show 2011 Dutch Thermoplastic Components exhibits at The Composites Engineering Show 2011

Dutch Thermoplastic Components (DTC) will exhibit a range of high performance continuous fibre reinforced thermoplastic parts at The Composites Engineering Show in the UK this November.

Spirit AeroSystems ships first A350 XWB composite fuselage section panels Spirit AeroSystems ships first A350 XWB composite fuselage section panels

Spirit AeroSystems Inc has shipped the first production composite centre fuselage panels for the Airbus A350 XWB programme out of its Kinston, North Carolina, facility.

Puerto Rico’s first commercial wind farm secures financing

Financing has been completed for the 75 MW Finca de Viento Santa Isabel wind farm in Puerto Rico, Pattern Energy Group LP says.

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.

Goldwind starts mass-production of high altitude wind turbines

Xinjiang Goldwind Science & Technology Co Ltd has begun mass production of its permanent magnet direct drive (PMDD) 1.5MW wind turbines for high altitude areas.

Manuplas exhibits at UK composites show Manuplas exhibits at UK composites show

Specialist tooling company Manuplas will exhibit at The Composites Engineering Show 2011 this November.

GE and Greenko develop wind power in India

GE Energy Financial Services and India's Greenko Group Plc will develop up to 1 GW of wind energy projects across India.

Wind Energy Services Company (WES) partners with turbine component facilities

Wind Energy Services Company (WES), a provider of composite repair and maintenance services for wind farms and part of Molded Fiber Glass Companies (MFG), has established partnering agreements with three MFG turbine component manufacturing facilities.

Vestas wind turbines to 99 MW Texan wind farm

Vestas will supply 55 of its V100 1.8 MW wind turbines for a 99 MW wind farm in Texas, USA.

AXSON unites BS Coatings, Revocoat and Axson Technologies

The new AXSON group unites BS Coatings, Revocoat and Axson Technologies to create a specialist in high performance polymer formulation.

Tata Power reaches 300 MW wind milestone in India

Tata Power has reached the 300 MW milestone for installed wind power capacity in India.

LANXESS invests in fibre reinforced thermoplastics

LANXESS is strengthening its position in fibre reinforced thermoplastic composites, concentrating on hybrid composite sheet technology based on polyamide.

Patterns and Moulds Ltd exhibits at The Composites Engineering Show 2011 Patterns and Moulds Ltd exhibits at The Composites Engineering Show 2011

Patterns and Moulds Ltd will be showcasing its services at The Composites Engineering Show in the UK this November.

Ahlstrom implements profit improvement programme

Ahlstrom Corporation is implementing a programme aimed at increasing annual operating profit by approximately 15 million euros from the year 2012. Around 400 employees may be affected.

Porcher Industries launches Greenlite renewable reinforcements Porcher Industries launches Greenlite renewable reinforcements

Porcher Industries' new Greenlite™ reinforcements are based on cellulose fibres and compatible with bio-based resins.

Magnum Venus Plastech rebrands

Magnum Venus Plastech, a specialist in composites processing equipment, has restructured and rebranded to support a focus on new composites markets.

US Interior Secretary calls for offshore wind commitment

US Interior Secretary Ken Salazar calls for continued and unwavering commitment from industry and the Government for US offshore wind.

Gurit exhibits at China Wind Power 2011 Gurit exhibits at China Wind Power 2011

Gurit will be showcasing its extended core material range, as well as its carbon fibre and tooling expertise, at the China Wind Power 2011 exhibition in Beijing.

ALMACO to organise Brazil trade show in 2013

The new Latin American Composite Materials Association ( ALMACO ) has announced that it will organise a trade show in São Paulo in the second half of 2013.

Airbus opens A350 XWB wing factory in UK Airbus opens A350 XWB wing factory in UK

The British Prime Minister, David Cameron, has officially opened Airbus’ new £400 million factory in Wales which will assemble the composite wings for the new A350 XWB aircraft family.

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.

Huntsman focuses on sustainability at The Composites Engineering Show 2011 Huntsman focuses on sustainability at The Composites Engineering Show 2011

Huntsman will showcase a range of innovative materials and technologies for composite designs at The Composites Engineering Show in the UK this November.

FuturaGene and Guangxi develop eucalyptus biofuel process FuturaGene and Guangxi develop eucalyptus biofuel process

FuturaGene and the Guangxi Academy of Sciences (GXAS) will collaborate on the development and optimisation of second generation biofuel production from woody species, and eucalyptus in particular.

Scott Bader exhibits at UK composites show Scott Bader exhibits at UK composites show

Scott Bader Ltd is exhibiting for the first time at The Composites Engineering Show 2011 in Birmingham, UK, in November.

City of Austin goes 100% renewable

The City of Austin, Texas, USA, has switched to 100% renewable energy with all facilities from neighbourhood libraries and recreation centres to police and fire stations subscribing to Austin Energy’s GreenChoice® renewable energy.

ACG Inc and JD Lincoln exhibit at SAMPE Tech 2011 ACG Inc and JD Lincoln exhibit at SAMPE Tech 2011

Advanced Composites Group Inc (ACG) and JD Lincoln, members of Umeco Composites Structural Materials (UCSM), will be exhibiting at SAMPE Tech 2011.

Stable Federal policy needed to establish US offshore wind

Original equipment and wind turbine manufacturers say stable Federal policies are needed to establish a US offshore wind industry at the Offshore WINDPOWER Conference & Exhibition in Baltimore, MD, USA, this week.

Atlas Composites achieves aerospace standard Atlas Composites achieves aerospace standard

Atlas Composites has become one of only three composites engineering firms in the UK to achieve the AS9100 Rev C quality management system standard for the aviation, space and defence markets.

CTL Asia to exhibit at JEC Asia

Composites Testing Laboratory Asia (CTL Asia) will be exhibiting at the JEC Asia show in Singapore this month.

Vermont Composites wins Raytheon supplier excellence award

Vermont Composites Inc has been presented with a Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems (SAS) supplier excellence award.

Australian clean and renewable energy legislation passed

The Australian Clean Energy legislative package, which put a price on carbon emissions and promotes renewable energy, has been passed by the House of Representatives.

Wind to overtake aerospace as biggest advanced composites user by 2020

The wind energy market is set to overtake aerospace as the largest user of advanced composite materials, accounting for nearly 60% of the market by 2020, according to Lux Research.

BASF introduces thermoplastic composite for engine compartment applications BASF introduces thermoplastic composite for engine compartment applications

At the Fakuma 2011 BASF is introducing an Ultramid® Endure polyamide (PA) product with 50% glass fibre content which is said to offer improved stiffness at high temperature.

STRUCTeam opens Warsaw office

Engineering and composite materials consultancy STRUCTeam has opened an office in Warsaw, Poland, to complement its established operation in the UK.

Making tidal power a commercial reality

The tidal power industry is invited to join an initiative to help enable tidal energy to become a commercial reality at a ‘How to Build a Tidal Array in a Day’ seminar on 25 October during the RenewableUK 2011 conference and exhibition in Manchester, UK.

REpower supplies 23 wind turbines to Burgundy, France

REpower Systems SE is delivering 23 of its MM92, 2.05 MW wind turbines to La Compaigne du Vent, GDF SUEZ Group, for two wind farms totalling 47 MW in Burgundy, France.

Hexagon Composites exhibits at natural gas vehicle event in China

Hexagon Composites will exhibit at the 4th Asia Pacific Natural Gas Vehicles Association (ANGVA) Conference & Exhibition in China on 18-20 October.

Crane Composites adds to wall panel range

Crane Composites Inc, a US manufacturer of fibre reinforced plastic (FRP) wall panels, has expanded its INNOVATIVE FINISHES line of architectural panels with a new collection of over 20 colours and textures called DESIGNS.

CCP Composites launched

CCP Composites comprises all the composites activities of the Total Group worldwide, including Cray Valley, Cook Composites and Polymers (CCP) and Composites One.

A350 XWB wing lower and upper covers built with Hexcel prepreg

Hexcel’s HexPly® M21E/IMA carbon fibre prepreg is used to build all of the A350 XWB primary structures, including these wing covers, for which Hexcel has supplied prepreg in optimised forms for automated tape lay-up (ATL) and automated fibre placement (AFP).

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.

FuturEnergy 10 kW wind turbine uses Amber Composites prepreg FuturEnergy 10 kW wind turbine uses Amber Composites prepreg

UK wind turbine manufacturer FuturEnergy has unveiled a highly efficient 10 kW turbine which employs Amber Composites' prepreg in its blade design.

Barrday Composite Solutions introduces fire resistant epoxy prepreg Barrday Composite Solutions introduces fire resistant epoxy prepreg

Barrday Composite Solutions is introducing a new fire resistant epoxy prepreg for interior applications in the aircraft, rail and marine markets.

REpower supplies 122 MW Dutch wind farm

REpower Systems SE is supplying 36 of its 3.4M104 wind turbines for a 122 MW wind farm near Zeewolde, the Netherlands, to be developed by Zuidlob Wind B.V., which is owned by Nuon, part of Swedish Vattenfall.

Wind and solar hybrid systems Wind and solar hybrid systems

Southwest Windpower Inc and Advanced Technology & Research Corp (ATR) are joining forces to design and manufacture wind and solar hybrid systems.

ACG demonstrates prepreg technology at JEC Asia 2011 ACG demonstrates prepreg technology at JEC Asia 2011

Advanced Composites Group Ltd (ACG) will be exhibiting on the Umeco Composites stand at the JEC Asia exhibition in Singapore on 18-20 October.

Vector Strategy releases report on armour material requirements for US military vehicles

The Vector Strategy report provides an outlook for steel, aluminium, titanium, ceramic, ballistic fibres and composites, and transparent armour materials in US military ground vehicles.

First Airbus A350 XWB forward fuselage takes shape First Airbus A350 XWB forward fuselage takes shape

Airbus partner Premium Aerotec has successfully put together the first forward fuselage for the A350 XWB at Nordenham, Germany.

Composite pressure vessel symposium Composite pressure vessel symposium

Seifert and Skinner & Associates are sponsoring a symposium on composite pressure vessels in Belgium this November.

EPTA invites presentations for pultrusion conference

The European Pultrusion Technology Association ( EPTA ) is inviting presentations for its 11th World Pultrusion Conference taking place in Turkey next March.

National Oilwell Varco and Ameron close merger

National Oilwell Varco (NOV) has completed the acquisition of composite pipe producer Ameron International Corporation in a merger transaction valuing Ameron at approximately US$777 million.

Financing complete for 200 MW onshore wind farm in Sweden

Financing for the €335 million, 200 MW Jädraås wind farm in Sweden has been completed by private equity fund manager Platina Partners LLP and onshore wind developer Arise Windpower AB.

Dassault Systèmes acquires Simulayt Ltd

Dassault Systèmes, a specialist in 3D and product lifecycle management (PLM) solutions, has acquired Simulayt Ltd, a provider of composites simulation technology.

Costs pull the plug on Great Lakes Offshore Wind Project

The New York Power Authority (NYPA) Board of Trustees is ending the competitive solicitation process for the Great Lakes Offshore Wind Project (GLOW) without awarding a contract due to cost concerns.

COMPOSITES EUROPE 2011 shows growth COMPOSITES EUROPE 2011 shows growth

A total of 7121 visitors attended the COMPOSITES EUROPE 2011 trade show in Stuttgart on 27-29 September.

European UP Resin Sector Group issues statement on styrene-free technologies

The European UP Resin Sector Group of the European Chemical Industry Council (Cefic), which is currently composed of Ashland, CCP Composites, Reichhold and Scott Bader, has issued a statement on styrene and styrene-free resin technologies.

DSM launches range of styrene-free resins

At the AVK International Conference in Stuttgart this September, DSM Composite Resins unveiled a range of styrene-free resins.

Amber Composites wins Sunseeker technical innovation award Amber Composites wins Sunseeker technical innovation award

Amber Composites has received The Supplier of the Year Award for Technical Innovation from motor yacht manufacturer Sunseeker International.

3B introduces single-end roving for polyamide composites at COMPOSITES EUROPE 2011 3B introduces single-end roving for polyamide composites at COMPOSITES EUROPE 2011

At the COMPOSITES EUROPE trade show in Stuttgart in September, 3B - the fibreglass company introduced a new direct single-end roving for long fibre thermoplastic (LFT) polyamide composites.

Siemens aims for 10% wind business profit margin

Siemens AG says it is aiming for a profit margin of at least 10% of revenues for its wind power operations, achieved through cost cutting and streamlining operations.

Composite Technical Services develops bio-based resin for prepregs Composite Technical Services develops bio-based resin for prepregs

Working with partners Technologycom Srl and Cimteclab Srl of Italy, US company Composite Technical Services LLC (CTS) has developed a bio-based epoxy resin for prepregs.

Boeing celebrates delivery of first 787 Dreamliner Boeing celebrates delivery of first 787 Dreamliner

Boeing has delivered its first 787 Dreamliner composites-intensive aircraft to launch customer Japanese airliner ANA.

Huntsman wind blade adhesive receives GL approval

Huntsman Advanced Materials' Araldite AW 4856 / Hardener HW 4856 Fast epoxy adhesive designed for the manufacture of wind blades and large composite parts has received approval from Germanischer Lloyd (GL).

Premier Composite Technologies and UNStudio win 'best stand' award Premier Composite Technologies and UNStudio win 'best stand' award

Premier Composite Technologies (PCT) and UNStudio won the ‘Best Stand’ Blueprint Award at the 100% Design exhibition in London. The modular stand was created using advanced composite materials.

McLaren Automotive announces Asia Pacific business plan

McLaren Automotive has established a subsidiary in Singapore responsible for all McLaren Automotive’s operations in the region, including sales and technical support for the new McLaren MP4-12C high performance sports car.

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.

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.