News for November 2011

News Archive

Global wind power set for steady growth to 2020 Global wind power set for steady growth to 2020

The global wind energy market, which saw capacity grow 22.3% from 2009 to 2010, is set to see continued steady growth to 2020, according to GlobalData's report Wind Power - Global Market Size, Turbine Market Share, Installation Prices, Regulations and Investment Analysis to 2020.

Zoltek reports growth in fourth quarter

Carbon fibre producer Zoltek Companies Inc reports a 38.6% increase in sales for the fourth quarter of its 2011 fiscal year (ended 30 September), over the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010.

Teijin establishes pilot plant for manufacture of carbon fibre thermoplastic parts

Teijin Ltd has announced plans to establish what it says is the world's first pilot plant for fully integrated production of carbon fibre reinforced thermoplastic components for automotive and other industrial applications.

ACG prepregs deliver performance benefits to Holland Composites racing catamarans ACG prepregs deliver performance benefits to Holland Composites racing catamarans

Customised carbon prepreg materials from Advanced Composites Group Ltd (ACG) are being used by Holland Composites to manufacture the lightweight, ultra-thin laminate hulls and various structural parts for Advanced Racing Catamarans.

Siemens launches 6 MW direct drive offshore wind turbine Siemens launches 6 MW direct drive offshore wind turbine

Siemens Energy has launched its 6 MW direct drive offshore wind turbine, the SWT-6.0, at the European Offshore Wind Energy Conference in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

IEA warns against past mistakes for renewable energy deployment

The International Energy Agency (IEA) has released guidance for policy makers and other stakeholders to avoid past mistakes, overcome new challenges and reap the benefits of deploying renewable energy.

UK Composites Engineering Show grows

The Advanced Engineering UK 2011 group of events, which included The Composites Engineering Show 2011, attracted nearly 7000 visitors to Birmingham on 9-10 November, nearly double the figure for 2010.

Wind power helps EU reach emission cut target

European wind power production could meet 31% of the EU's 20% emissions reduction target and even enable an increase in EU's climate goals, according to the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA).

Webinar addresses EU regulations for food and drinking water contact composites Webinar addresses EU regulations for food and drinking water contact composites

Does your company manufacture, design or distribute products that come into contact with food or drinking water? This webinar on 1 December will discuss how new European regulations will affect composite products used in these applications.

China passes US in clean energy investment

US think tank Third Way says China has surpassed the United States as the top nation in total clean energy investments, attractiveness for renewable energy investment and overall patents filed since 2010.

First Wally Cento hull completed at Green Marine First Wally Cento hull completed at Green Marine

The first 100 ft (30.48 m) Wally Cento sailing yacht hull has been completed at Green Marine's Hythe, UK, facility.

Umeco exhibits at opening of UK's National Composites Centre Umeco exhibits at opening of UK's National Composites Centre

Umeco plc exhibited its composites expertise at the official opening of the UK's National Composites Centre on 24 November.

Embraer and Alcoa to develop aluminium aircraft

Embraer SA and Alcoa have signed a technology sharing agreement that involves the use of Alcoa's aluminium alloys to support Embraer’s development of metallic fuselage and wings for its aircraft.

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.

Vacuum tables for precision composite workholding systems Vacuum tables for precision composite workholding systems

Graphic Parts International Inc (GPI) manufactures high-tolerance vacuum table workholding systems to hold down composite materials.

United Initiators and Euroresins expand distribution agreement

Euroresins Europe Holding GmbH & Co KG and United Initiators have announced that their existing partnership for the distribution of CUROX® organic peroxides for cold cure application in Europe will be expanded.

GKN to establish HondaJet assembly facility in South Carolina GKN to establish HondaJet assembly facility in South Carolina

GKN Aerospace plans to establish a new assembly facility in Orangeburg, South Carolina, USA, to perform assembly operations for the HondaJet business aircraft.

Boeing announces 787 Dreamliner tour

Boeing has announced a six-month tour with its new 787 Dreamliner to show the new aircraft to customers and partners around the world.

GKN Aerospace celebrates opening of UK’s National Composites Centre

GKN Aerospace has joined industry partners Airbus, AgustaWestland, Rolls-Royce, Umeco and Vestas in celebrating the official opening of the UK’s National Composites Centre (NCC).

UK's National Composite Centre officially open UK's National Composite Centre officially open

The UK Secretary of State for the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills, Dr Vince Cable, formally opened the National Composites Centre in Bristol today.

Airbus starts making the wings for first A350 XWB Airbus starts making the wings for first A350 XWB

Assembly of the first A350 XWB’s 32 m long carbon fibre composite wings has begun at Airbus’ recently-opened North Factory in Broughton, UK.

SABIC opens US polypropylene compounding operation SABIC opens US polypropylene compounding operation

SABIC Innovative Plastics' new speciality polypropylene (PP) compounding operation at its Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, site will supply PP compounds and STAMAX long glass fibre reinforced PP composites for automotive applications.

Aurora invests in automated fibre placement technology

Aurora Flight Sciences is investing in automated fibre placement (AFP) technology to enable the manufacture of larger and more complex composite structures for the aerospace industry at an affordable cost.

MFG supplies replacement composite parts for wind turbines MFG supplies replacement composite parts for wind turbines

Molded Fiber Glass Companies (MFG) has started supplying spare and replacement composite parts for older wind turbines.

American Fiberglass Tank Repair launches field service

American Fiberglass Tank Repair has launched a field service operation to focus on the repair of composite nozzles, composite tank leaks, shell cracks, as well as internal corrosion coat restoration on composite vessels.

US renewable energy needs new money, investors and finance models

The US renewable energy sector must attract new investors and make use of unique tax-based financing structures in the next 18 months or risk a sharp drop in new project builds, according to a Bloomberg New Energy Finance report commissioned by Reznick Group.

Hexcel commissions two carbon fibre lines in US

Hexcel has commissioned two new carbon fibre production lines at its manufacturing facility in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Polin introduces spherical waterslide feature Polin introduces spherical waterslide feature

Polin is launching a new waterslide series called Magic Spheres, manufactured using resin transfer moulding.

Vinyl ester composite protects Indonesian power plant structure Vinyl ester composite protects Indonesian power plant structure

A power company in Indonesia has employed a composite liner based on Vipel® F010 vinyl ester from AOC to protect the surface of a new concrete aeration pit. The resin was supplied through distributor Nuplex Composites.

Quickstep and Audi team up for automotive project

Quickstep Holdings Ltd is taking part in a joint development project supported by the German government and car manufacturer Audi to develop new manufacturing techniques for the cost effective volume production of composite automotive parts.

All AREVA 5 MW wind turbines to be tested in Bremerhaven

AREVA will test its M5000 5 MW offshore wind turbines in the new full load test bench in Bremerhaven, Germany, to check the functionality under nominal load conditions of all assembled nacelles prior to commissioning.

BMW takes 15.16% stake in SGL Carbon BMW takes 15.16% stake in SGL Carbon

BMW AG has secured a 15.16% stake in SGL Carbon SE, strengthening its focus on the use of carbon fibre reinforced plastics (CFRP) in lightweight car manufacture.

Tods joins UK's National Composites Centre

Tods has become a member of the new National Composites Centre (NCC) in Bristol, UK.

BMW orders KraussMaffei machines BMW orders KraussMaffei machines

KraussMaffei has announced an order from BMW for a large number of injection moulding, reaction process and automation machines and systems.

Zoltek opens new carbon fibre prepreg facility Zoltek opens new carbon fibre prepreg facility

Carbon fibre manufacturer Zoltek Corporation has set up a new carbon fibre prepreg facility and technical centre just outside of St. Louis, Missouri, USA.

Oracle Racing Spithill collects ACWS double Oracle Racing Spithill collects ACWS double

At the America’s Cup World Series (ACWS) in San Diego, Oracle Racing Spithill won both the match and fleet racing championship, becoming the first team to secure a double win at the ACWS.

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.

EuCIA launches Recycling & Sustainability group

The European Composites Industry Association (EuCIA) has launched the Recycling & Sustainability Platform of the European Composites Industry.

Eurozone crisis could cause US$45bn climate change funding gap

Austerity measures could lead to a potential climate change funding gap of US$45 billion by 2015, according to Ernst & Young.

Brazil set to become world's fourth largest domestic air travel market

According to the new Airbus Global Market Forecast, Brazil is set to become the fourth largest domestic air travel market in the world, requiring 701 new passenger aircraft of more than 100 seats between today and 2030.

Norplex-Micarta introduces epoxy composite for high temperature electrical insulation Norplex-Micarta introduces epoxy composite for high temperature electrical insulation

Norplex-Micarta's NP572 composite consists of a high strength glass fabric with an epoxy resin and is said to offer excellent physical, mechanical and electrical properties at both room and elevated temperatures.

AWEA welcomes Governors’ endorsement of wind incentive

The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) has welcomed a bipartisan Governors' Wind Energy Coalition endorsement of legislation for a four year extension to the production tax credit (PTC) for wind energy.

Automotive composites: from steel to carbon and from glass to grass

A new publication from Textile Media Services reviews the history and current use of composites in the automotive sector and assesses how far these materials are from being used in mass vehicle production.

‘Araldite’ flax fibre boat completes Transat 6.50 race

The ‘Araldite’, a racing boat reinforced with flax fibres, has crossed the finishing line in the Transat 6.50 Charente-Maritime race in 15th place.

Isle of Wight aims for net energy exports by 2020 in EcoIsland sustainability project

The Isle of Wight – a peaceful, modest-sized island off the English south coast – plans to become a net energy exporter of energy by 2020, while halving residents’ energy bills, eliminating waste going to landfill, and creating a significant number of green technology jobs. The EcoIsland initiative is the largest single sustainability project in the UK.

Cabot Corporation licenses graphene technology

Cabot Corporation has added graphene technology to its portfolio, through an intellectual property licensing agreement with XG Sciences Inc.

Ahlstrom closes US glass fibre reinforcements plant

Ahlstrom Corporation has decided to close its glass fibre speciality reinforcements plant in Bishopville, USA.

Renewable energy spending to total US$7trn to 2030

The annual value of renewable energy capacity installed will double in real terms to US$395 billion in 2020, rising to US$460bn in 2030, compared with US$195bn in 2010, according to Bloomberg New Energy Finance.

Atkins named engineering services provider to UK's National Composites Centre

Atkins has been named as an official engineering services provider to the UK's National Composites Centre (NCC) on a three year framework agreement.

China transforming from manufacturing powerhouse to innovation engine

China’s 12th Five-Year Plan demonstrates its resolve to accelerate the transition from manufacturing powerhouse to innovation engine, as the government’s 30-year history of funding R&D shows no signs of slowing, according to a report from Lux Research.

South Korea invests WON10.2trn in offshore wind

South Korea is investing WON10.2 trillion (US$9 billion) in offshore wind, aiming to build 2.5 GW by 2019.

Siemens to acquire Vistagy

Siemens is expanding its industrial software portfolio with the acquisition of Vistagy Inc, a supplier of specialised engineering software and services with emphasis on design and manufacture of composite materials.

Innovative Composites to supply EcoScape modular housing to Brazil

Innovative Composites International Inc (ICI) has signed a cooperation agreement with contractor Millenium Brasil and Green Intelligence Corporation, a consulting company specialising in sustainable projects, to supply EcoScape™ modular homes for large housing projects in Brazil.

First Wind orders 77 Vestas wind turbines for US projects

First Wind has ordered 77 of Vestas' V100 1.8 MW wind turbines, totalling 139 MW, for two wind projects in the USA.

Atlasjet orders up to 15 Bombardier CSeries aircraft Atlasjet orders up to 15 Bombardier CSeries aircraft

Bombardier Aerospace has announced that Atlasjet Havacilik AS of Turkey has signed a letter of intent to acquire 10 CS300 aircraft, with options on a further five CS300 aircraft.

Onshore wind to reach grid parity in 2016

Onshore wind energy could reach parity with fossil fuel generated electricity by 2016, according to analyst Bloomberg New Energy Finance.

Malama and Green Comm Racing promote environmental innovation at America’s Cup Malama and Green Comm Racing promote environmental innovation at America’s Cup

Malama Composites, a manufacturer of polyurethane foam made from bio-based renewable resources, has joined Spain’s Green Comm Racing Team at the America's Cup to promote environmental innovation within the sailing industry.

Airbus aids Abu Dhabi aerospace industry

Airbus and its parent company EADS are assisting Abu Dhabi in its goal of creating a world-class aviation industry in a cooperation that includes the manufacture of airframe components (aerostructures) in both composite and metallic materials.

Boeing projects $450 billion aircraft market in the Middle East

Boeing forecasts that airlines in the Middle East will need an estimated 2520 aircraft worth US$450 billion by 2030.

SP-High Modulus appoints Japanese re-seller

SP-High Modulus has appointed Best Link Trading Company Inc as a new re-seller for its products in the Japanese marine retail market.

Gamesa meets FY sales forecast in first three quarters

Gamesa has met its sales forecast for the full year of 2011 by the end of the third quarter, with 2805 MW – 94% of which has been outside Spain.

Oman Air announces order for six Boeing 787 Dreamliners Oman Air announces order for six Boeing 787 Dreamliners

At the Dubai Airshow 2011, Oman Air announced an order for six Boeing 787-8s.

Global renewable energy share in 2035: 18%

The renewable energy share of the global energy mix could rise from 13% in 2010 to 18% in 2035, according to the International Energy Agency's (IEA) 2011 World Energy Outlook.

GKN to produce HondaJet composite fuselage GKN to produce HondaJet composite fuselage

GKN Aerospace has won a production contract with Honda Aircraft Company as supplier of the composite fuselage for the HondaJet business jet.

Scotland gets £103m in renewable energy funding

Scotland has been awarded £103 million from the UK Fossil Fuel Levy to spend on renewable energy investments.

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.

ACG exhibits at Railway Interiors Expo 2011 ACG exhibits at Railway Interiors Expo 2011

Advanced Composites Group Ltd (ACG) will be exhibiting at the Railway Interiors Expo in Cologne, Germany, on 15-17 November.

GrafTech acquires Fiber Materials Inc business

GrafTech International Ltd has acquired the business and assets of Fiber Materials Inc (FMI), a manufacturer of advanced carbon composite materials, for US$14 million.

Automated Dynamics offers AFP machine for R&D work Automated Dynamics offers AFP machine for R&D work

Automated Dynamics has introduced the Research Workcell, a small-scale, self-contained automated fibre placement (AFP) machine designed for universities and small composites laboratories.

Haysite offers pultruded laboratory fume hood panels Haysite offers pultruded laboratory fume hood panels

Haysite Reinforced Plastics now offers its H193/H232 Pultruded Laboratory Fume Hood Panels in custom length sheets for application in laboratory fume hood liners used in schools, and test and R&D facilities.

Wind energy market is consolidating - F&S

The wind energy market is poised for greater consolidation which will see the emergence of fewer, but stronger, participants, according to analysts Frost & Sullivan.

STRUCTeam wins China wind blade design contracts

STRUCTeam has won two contracts for the design and structural engineering of large wind turbine blades for clients based in China.

Henkel develops polyurethane resin for automotive composites Henkel develops polyurethane resin for automotive composites

Henkel has developed a polyurethane-based composite resin which it says cures faster than epoxy resins.

REpower supplies turbines for 150 MW wind farm in Canada

REpower Systems SE will supply 75 of its MM82 and MM92 wind turbines to EDF EN Canada Inc for the 150 MW Massif du Sud wind farm on the south shore of Québec City, Canada.

Airbus A350 XWB entry into service delayed to first half of 2014 Airbus A350 XWB entry into service delayed to first half of 2014

Airbus has announced that A350 XWB pre-Final Assembly Line (FAL) activities have started although with some delay as a result of late availability of some key composite and detailed parts. Entry into service is now rescheduled to the first half 2014 to ensure smooth production ramp-up capability.

Monteco merges water and composites businesses under Pelicas Corporation

Monteco Ltd, a Canadian company active in stormwater management, wastewater pretreatment and composites manufacturing, has integrated all of its water-related companies under the umbrella of one new business, the Pelicas Corporation.

Gamesa's 4.5 MW wind turbine prototype reaches milestone

The prototype of Gamesa's G128 4.5 MW wind turbine erected at an R&D wind farm in Jaulín, Zaragoza, Spain, reached 97.34 MWh operating at 100% availability on 6 November.

Siemens sees US$900m in wind turbine orders for America

Siemens has secured orders for 6 wind turbine projects in North America since July, totalling US$900 million and over 670 MW.

GKN Aerospace to supply A400M refuelling equipment

GKN Aerospace has won a £6 million contract from Cobham Mission Equipment to design and manufacture a lightweight air to air refuelling pylon for the wing dispense equipment (WDE) on the Airbus A400M military airlifter.

ACCIONA builds €90m wind farm in Costa Rica

ACCIONA Energía will build a 49.5 MW wind farm in Costa Rica, which will produce electricity for the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE).

Innovative Composites completes Eleison acquisition

Innovative Composites International Inc (ICI) has purchased the assets of Eleison Composites LLC, a manufacturer of fibre reinforced thermoplastic skin material which is utilised in all ICI products.

GKN develops future aircraft wing technologies under Clean Sky initiative

GKN Aerospace has increased its participation with the Clean Sky Joint Technology Initiative (JTI) with the development of a Natural Laminar Flow (NLF) wing.

Robotic system for fast, precise adhesive placement

Sealant Equipment & Engineering’s Dual-Station XYZ Robotic Dispensing System is designed to improve the adhesive dispensing process.

Owens Corning Advantex glass fibre provides superior performance in FRP FGD systems

According to Owens Corning, use of fibre reinforced plastic (FRP) made with the company's Advantex® glass fibre in place of steel in flue-gas desulphurisation (FGD) systems in coal-burning power plants reduces concerns over potential shutdowns as a result of corrosion.

Creative Composites unveils £1m factory extension Creative Composites unveils £1m factory extension

Creative Composites, based in Northern Ireland, has unveiled a new extension to its composites manufacturing facility.

AWEA celebrates wind industry achievements

The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) announced the 2011 AWEA Awards, honouring wind industry supporters, leaders, innovators and advocates for their outstanding efforts on behalf of wind energy at AWEA’s Wind Energy Fall Symposium in Carlsbad, CA, USA.

Architectural staircase takes shape in composite forms Architectural staircase takes shape in composite forms

The architectural centrepiece inside the Texas A&M University Health Science Center is a spiral staircase made from steel bar-reinforced concrete using fibre reinforced plastic (FRP) forms manufactured by MFG Construction Products (MFG-CP).

Persico uses Araldite adhesive for racing yacht Persico uses Araldite adhesive for racing yacht

Italian yacht maker Persico has used a Huntsman Advanced Materials adhesive in the build of a new design of Volvo Open 70 racing yacht for the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority.

Cast Strategies helps US composites companies explore India

Management consultancy Cast Strategies LLC has launched an initiative to assist US composite manufacturers enter the market in India.

Obama affirms concern about China’s renewable energy trade

In response to SolarWorld and a coalition of US domestic solar manufacturers' complaint against China, President Barack Obama cites “questionable competitive practices coming out of China” and says his Administration has aggressively countered “these kinds of dumping activities.”

Bombardier completes CSeries wind tunnel tests Bombardier completes CSeries wind tunnel tests

Bombardier Aerospace has confirmed that final results of a three-phase wind tunnel test programme further validate the aerodynamic design and support fuel efficiency projections of its CSeries aircraft.

China: 1 TW of wind by 2050

China could have 1 TW of wind power by 2050 with wind supplying 17% of electricity production, compared to today's 1%, according to the National Development and Reform Commission’s Energy Research Institute (NDRC ERI) with support from the International Energy Agency (IEA).

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 to exhibit at The Composites Engineering Show 2011 Gurit to exhibit at The Composites Engineering Show 2011

Gurit will showcase the capabilities of its new Engineered Structures business unit at The Composites Engineering Show in Birmingham, UK, on 9-10 November.

Nordex supplies 35 MW of wind turbines to Wales

Nordex will supply 14 of its 2.5 MW wind turbines, the N90-2500 series, for the Pant-y-Wal and Fforch Nest wind farms in Wales.

TenCate Advanced Composites expands California site

TenCate Advanced Composites North America in Morgan Hill, California, USA, is expanding into an adjacent facility, which will focus on thermoplastic composites.

Siemens opens US wind power distribution centre

Siemens Energy has opened a new wind power distribution facility in Wichita, Kansas, USA, to serve the Americas.

European Alliance for SMC/BMC Sustainability Conference

The Light Composite Materials for a Sustainable Future Conference will be held in Brussels in January.

Umeco companies exhibit at The Composites Engineering Show 2011

Advanced Composites Group Ltd (ACG), GRPMS and Richmond Aerovac will be co-exhibiting at The Composites Engineering Show in Birmingham, UK.

US wind turbine prices fallen by a third since 2008

Wind turbine prices in the US have fallen by nearly a third on average since 2008, according Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory's (Berkeley Lab) report 'Understanding Trends in Wind Turbine Prices Over the Past Decade'.

Kaman Aerospace acquires Vermont Composites

Kaman Aerospace Group Inc has entered into an agreement to acquire Vermont Composites Inc, a manufacturer of composite aerostructures based in Bennington, Vermont, USA.

Food and drinking water contact EU regulations for plastic composites – how to be prepared

Does your company manufacture, design or distribute products that come into contact with food or drinking water? Join us on 1 December for this Reinforced Plastics webinar, sponsored by Owens Corning.

Highlights of the 2011 International AVK Conference

Nearly 300 delegates attended the International AVK Conference in Stuttgart on 26-27 September 2011, the opening event of the COMPOSITES EUROPE trade show.

Gurit reports higher sales for the first 9 months of 2011

Gurit reports net sales of CHF248.9 million for the first 9 months of 2011, an increase of 5.2% on the first nine months of 2010.

China Ming Yang secures US$5bn funding for wind

China Ming Yang has been granted potential financing of up to US$5 billion from the China Development Bank Corp for further developments of wind power in China and around the world.

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 October.