News for December 2011

News Archive

Arvind and PD Fiber Glass form India glass fabrics joint venture

Textile manufacturer Arvind Ltd of India and PD Fiber Glass Group, Germany, have formed a joint venture for the manufacture of woven and multiaxial glass fabrics in India.

Gamesa and Iberdrola enter 3.8 GW wind turbine agreement

Gamesa and Iberdrola have signed a new framework agreement for a minimum of 50% of the total wind turbine fleet Iberdrola buys for its renewable energy business on Spanish and international markets between 2013 and 2022 – or until reaching a total of 3.8 GW.

Trends in automotive construction on VDI conference agenda Trends in automotive construction on VDI conference agenda

Lightweight automotive construction will be one of the topics discussed at the International VDI Conference: Plastics in Automobile Manufacture taking place in Mannheim, Germany, on 21-22 March 2012.

Nordex installs the first of its N117 wind turbines Nordex installs the first of its N117 wind turbines

Nordex is one step closer to series production of the N117/2400 onshore wind turbine with the installation of the first unit at the Stadum citizens’ wind farm in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany.

EPTA pultrusion conference programme now available

The programme is now available for the European Pultrusion Technology Association (EPTA) conference taking place in Turkey in March 2012.

Virtek Vision celebrates 25 years

Virtek Vision International Inc is celebrating 25 years of providing laser templating solutions to aid the assembly of carbon fibre composite parts.

New Derakane page on Ashland.com

Ashland Performance Materials has launched an expanded page for its Derakane resin on the Ashland website and closed the Derakane.com website.

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Giorgio Vismara joins Gurit as General Manager Marine, while Wilfrid Gambade is appointed Business Unit Director, DSM Composite Resins.

Boeing South Carolina site achieves 787 weight on wheels milestone Boeing South Carolina site achieves 787 weight on wheels milestone

Boeing's first South Carolina-built 787 Dreamliner has put weight on wheels for the first time. The site will deliver its first aircraft next year.

Epic EV to produce composite bodies for DeLorean electric vehicle Epic EV to produce composite bodies for DeLorean electric vehicle

Epic Electric Vehicles (Epic EV) has be selected to produce lightweight composite bodies for the new DeLorean Motor Company electric vehicle (DMC-EV) slated for production in 2013.

Hampson Aerospace achieves aerospace quality standard

Hampson Aerospace Tooling Solutions' Coast Composites business unit has achieved AS9100 Rev C certification.

Dow and AKSA form carbon fibre joint venture in Turkey

Dow Europe GmbH and AKSA Akrilik Kimya Sanayii AS have signed a definitive agreement to form a joint venture in Turkey to manufacture and commercialise carbon fibre and its derivatives.

EU energy production must be carbon free by 2050

To achieve the goal of cutting emissions by over 80% by 2050, Europe's energy production needs to be almost carbon-free, according to the European Commission.

Exelis reaches halfway point on aerospace composites centre

ITT Exelis has reached the halfway point in the construction of its new composites design and manufacturing centre for aerospace structures.

Composite Insights reports focuses on prospects for unsaturated polyester resin industry in India Composite Insights reports focuses on prospects for unsaturated polyester resin industry in India

According to Composite Insights’ latest study, there is an enormous opportunity for unsaturated polyester resin in the fabrication of fibre reinforced plastic (FRP) products in India.

San Francisco plans major renewable electricity push

Local Power Inc has received a 'Notice-To-Proceed' from the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC), to write several Requests for Proposals (RFPs) to deploy a minimum of 210 MW of distributed renewable and demand-side, in-city energy technologies by 2017 for the CleanPowerSF programme.

Formtech launches E1 electric vehicle concept Formtech launches E1 electric vehicle concept

Formtech Composites launched it vision of an electric vehicle (EV) at Frankfurt’s IAA Motorshow. The E1 research study provides the base for a number of concepts in lightweighting technology using composites.

US companies commit to '5 Year Renewable Energy Pledge'

The City of Austin, TX, Southern Oregon University, the Bank of Georgetown (DC and MD), Stevens Pass, Diamond Packaging, and Sandy Alexander have been the first to sign the Renewable Energy Markets Association (REMA) '5 Year Renewable Energy Pledge' in the USA.

Last week's top 3 stories

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

Siemens and Shanghai Electric form JVs for Chinese wind

Siemens and Shanghai Electric will set up two joint ventures (JVs) for the Chinese wind power market.

METYX Composites announces new manufacturing facility METYX Composites announces new manufacturing facility

METYX Composites, a manufacturer of technical textiles and composites-related products, is building a new factory in Manisa, Turkey.

Scott & Fyfe announces distribution agreement with Fournier Matériaux Composites

Scottish company Scott & Fyfe Ltd has appointed Fournier Matériaux Composites as distributor for its range of Polymat reinforcement products in France.

DIAB expands core material finishing options

DIAB is offering two new finishing options for its core materials – One Directional Cut (ODC) and Grid Score Thin (GST).

Park Electrochemical opens expanded aerospace composites facility in Kansas

Park Electrochemical Corp has announced the opening of the major expansion of its composite aerospace materials, parts and assemblies manufacturing and design facility located in Newton, Kansas, USA.

Stratolaunch Systems to develop flexible, orbital space delivery system Stratolaunch Systems to develop flexible, orbital space delivery system

New company Stratolaunch Systems is developing an air-launch system which it says will revolutionise space travel.

US solar installations grow 140%

The US solar energy industry saw a record 140% growth in installations in the third quarter (Q3) of 2011, compared to Q3 2010, thanks to utility-scale project completions, a strong residential market, effective policies and the plummeting price of solar panels.

Goodrich to install third Ingersoll AFP machine Goodrich to install third Ingersoll AFP machine

Goodrich's Aerostructures business is to install a third Mongoose automated fibre placement (AFP) system from Ingersoll Machine Tools Inc.

X-Ray Industries acquires composites NDT specialist

Non-destructive testing (NDT) services provider X-Ray Industries has acquired Arcadia Aerospace Industries, a specialist in composite structures inspection.

Lincoln Composites participates in US hydrogen storage project Lincoln Composites participates in US hydrogen storage project

Lincoln Composites is participating in a US Department of Energy (DOE) project to reduce the costs associated with high-pressure hydrogen storage vessels for fuel cell electric vehicles.

Heatcon supplies composite repair equipment to US army

Heatcon Composite Systems has won a US$2.6 million contract to provide the US army with equipment to repair composite aircraft in remote locations.

Spirit to move Boeing 787 Dreamliner wing component production to Malaysia

To meet growing demand for its products, Spirit AeroSystems Inc is to move production of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner fixed leading edge composite wing component from its Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA, facility to Malaysia.

Airbus starts joining first A350 XWB front fuselage Airbus starts joining first A350 XWB front fuselage

Airbus has started joining the first 21 m long front fuselage section for the A350 XWB in Saint-Nazaire, France.

Etihad Airways orders ten Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners Etihad Airways orders ten Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners

Etihad Airways has announced an order for ten Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, making Etihad the world's largest customer for this 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.

Website offers overview of REACH chemical regulation

Hunton & Williams and Penman Consulting have launched the REACH Product Stewardship Forum website to help companies navigate the processes, regulations and guidelines for the European Union’s REACH (Registration, Evaluation Authorisation and restriction of Chemicals) regulation.

Cargo Composites announces new facility in South Carolina

Cargo Composites, a maker of thermoplastic composite air cargo containers, is to establish its new headquarters and assembly facility in Berkeley County, South Carolina, USA.

First 2 MW WindFloat installed offshore First 2 MW WindFloat installed offshore

Principle Power Inc and Energias de Portugal (EDP) have deployed the first full-scale, 2 MW offshore WindFloat offshore wind turbine solution off the coast of Aguçadoura, Portugal.

GM and Teijin collaborate on carbon composite automotive technology GM and Teijin collaborate on carbon composite automotive technology

North American car maker General Motors (GM) and carbon fibre producer Teijin Ltd have announced plans to co-develop carbon fibre composite technologies for potential use in high-volume GM vehicles.

EADS and DolphiTech develop composites NDT system

EADS Innovation Works and DolphiTech AS of Norway have signed a cooperation agreement for the development of a non-destructive testing (NDT) system for composites inspection, based on an ultrasonic camera.

Ampere Equity Fund buys 90% of 51 MW of wind farms in Germany

Ampere Equity Fund, managed by Triodos Investment Management, has acquired 90% of four onshore wind farms from DunoAir totalling 51 MW and an option to buy an additional wind farm with a capacity of 12.6 MW.

Boeing 787 Dreamliner sets speed and distance records Boeing 787 Dreamliner sets speed and distance records

Boeing has established two world records with the 787 Dreamliner, setting new achievements for both speed and distance for the aircraft's weight class.

Vistagy acquisition closes

Siemens has completed its acquisition of Vistagy Inc, a supplier of specialised engineering software and services with emphasis on design and manufacture of advanced composite structures.

Hexcel provides 2012 outlook

In its guidance for 2012, Hexcel Corporation projects solid growth in revenues and earnings.

EU needs to back ocean energy in Europe

Ministers from Ireland, the UK, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey have called on the EU to give its full backing to the development of ocean energy.

Mastergel provides training on RTM Light Mastergel provides training on RTM Light

The 1st Mastergel International Training on RTM Light took place last month in Brazil.

Second X-47B UAV completes first flight Second X-47B UAV completes first flight

The US Navy and Northrop Grumman have successfully completed first flight of the second X-47B unmanned air vehicle (UAV), for which GKN Aerospace has designed and manufactured a large portion of the metallic and composite airframe.

EU targets mean huge renewable energy growth this decade

If projections for EU renewable energy developments are realised, the European market is set for huge growth this decade, according to the European Energy Agency (EEA).

Diatex celebrates 25 years

Diatex, a manufacturer of technical textiles and supplier of equipment for composites moulding, is celebrating its 25th anniversary.

AREVA extends M5000 offshore wind turbine platform

AREVA Wind has extended its M5000 offshore wind turbine platform with the M5000-135, featuring a 135 m rotor.

GTA Motor uses ACG prepregs on Spano sports car GTA Motor uses ACG prepregs on Spano sports car

Spanish car manufacturer GTA Motor is using prepregs from Advanced Composites Group (ACG) to create its Spano super sports car.

AIC installs 125 tonnes of equipment at UK's National Composites Centre

AIC Group is putting the finishing touches to making 125 tonnes of equipment operational for the National Composites Centre (NCC) in Bristol. The project has taken around seven months.

Composite pipe helps Peruvian city expand water network Composite pipe helps Peruvian city expand water network

Arequipa City, Peru, is expanding its water network with the help of 1.9 miles (3.1 km) of Flowtite™ composite pipe manufactured by O-Tek Internacional SA using a Vipel® unsaturated polyester resin from AOC.

3B reinforcement optimised for epoxy wind turbine blade manufacture

3B-the fibreglass company is introducing a range of reinforcements designed for specific resin systems used in the manufacture of wind turbine blades. The first product is designed for epoxy blades.

Ingalls Shipbuilding wins $46m contract for Navy destroyer work Ingalls Shipbuilding wins $46m contract for Navy destroyer work

Ingalls Shipbuilding has been awarded a US$46 million advance procurement contract for work on the US Navy's third Zumwalt-class destroyer, DDG 1002. The majority of the work will take place at the company's Composite Center of Excellence in Gulfport, Mississippi.

UK renewables industry welcomes Government’s vote of confidence

RenewableUK has welcomed a series of UK Government announcements giving strong support to the renewable energy sector.

EU offshore wind power could reach 141 GW

Seventeen EU countries have over 141 GW in total of offshore wind energy capacity built, under construction, consented, or planned in Europe.

Huber announces price increase for fire retardant additives

Huber Engineered Materials has announced a January price increase for its entire line of alumina trihydrate (ATH), magnesium hydroxide and cast polymer products.

Wind Energy Services Company expands services

Wind Energy Services Company (WES), a specialist in repair of composite components such as blades, nacelles and nose cones, has expanded its services and expects to double its workforce in 2012.

North America needs 5901 new passenger aircraft in next 20 years – Airbus

According to the Airbus Global Market Forecast, the USA and Canada will require 5901 new passenger aircraft of more than 100 seats between today and 2030.

Andercol to distribute FORMAX reinforcements in Latin America Andercol to distribute FORMAX reinforcements in Latin America

FORMAX, a UK based manufacturer of glass and carbon fibre multiaxial reinforcements, has appointed Andercol as its distributor for Latin America.

Last week's top 3 stories

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

SolarCity to build US$1bn worth of solar

SolarCity and Bank of America Merrill Lynch have agreed to terms on financing for SolarStrong, SolarCity’s five-year plan to build more than US$1 billion worth of solar power projects for privatised US military housing communities across the country.

Last month's top 3 stories

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

FPC@Western selects Dieffenbacher equipment FPC@Western selects Dieffenbacher equipment

The new Fraunhofer Project Centre for Composites Research at the University of Western Ontario (FPC@Western) has chosen a compression moulding press and compounding lines from Dieffenbacher for industrial-scale product development of composite parts for automotive and other markets.

EIB funds Thanet Offshore Wind Farm

The European Investment Bank will provide £150 million of long-term funding to Vattenfall's 300 MW Thanet Offshore Wind Farm.

REpower installs 6M offshore wind turbines in the Netherlands

REpower Systems SE will install two of its 6M offshore wind turbines for RWE Innogy near Eemshaven, the Netherlands.