News for April 2012

News Archive

SP-High Modulus sponsors Cowes Superyacht Cup 2012 SP-High Modulus sponsors Cowes Superyacht Cup 2012

SP-High Modulus, the marine business of Gurit, is a silver sponsor of the 2012 Superyacht Cup in Cowes, Isle of Wight, UK.

GKN manufactures A350 XWB wing spars using Umeco tooling

GKN Aerospace is using a suite of large-scale tooling mandrels manufactured by Umeco, using Umeco prepregs, to produce the Airbus A350 XWB rear wing spars using advanced fibre placement (AFP) technology.

Last week's top 3 stories

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

Vestas identifies cause for V112 wind turbine fire

Vestas says a loose connection in the electrical system started the fire in the V112 3 MW wind turbine at the Gross Eilstorf wind farm in Germany on 30 March.

Turbo Mach renamed North American Composites

Turbo Mach LLC, a subsidiary of North American Aircraft Services Inc (NAAS), has been renamed North American Composites.

Owens Corning reports first quarter 2012 results

Owens Corning reports consolidated net sales of US$1.35 billion for the first quarter of 2012, up 9% over the same period of 2011.

Hexcel reports 2012 first quarter results

Hexcel Corporation reports net sales during of US$400.1 million for the first quarter of 2012, an increase of 20.7% over the first quarter of 2011.

SCIGRIP appoints Marineware as UK distributor

Adhesives supplier SCIGRIP has announced the appointment of Marineware as UK distributor.

IEA: Governments must accelerate clean energy deployment

Most clean energy technologies are not being deployed quickly enough despite technological progress, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), which is urging governments to accelerate the use of clean and renewable energy.

A350 XWB aft fuselage delivered to final assembly line A350 XWB aft fuselage delivered to final assembly line

Airbus has delivered the aft fuselage for the A350 XWB static test airframe to the final assembly line in Toulouse, France. This final section of the fuselage will be assembled with the front and centre fuselage sections which were joined up in early April.

Gamesa and Toyota Spain join forces on electric vehicles

Gamesa and Toyota Spain will boost the use of electric vehicles in urban Spain under a collaboration agreement.

Royal Engineered Composites orders autoclave

Royal Engineered Composites is planning to install a new autoclave in November 2012.

FORMAX increases glass multiaxials capacity FORMAX increases glass multiaxials capacity

FORMAX has completed the installation of a new Karl Mayer 100” Malitronic™ MULTIAXIAL machine, which increases the company's production capacity for glass fibre multiaxial fabrics by 25%.

UK and US collaborate on floating wind

The UK and US will collaborate on floating wind under a new agreement to be finalised during this week's Clean Energy Ministerial in London.

Pepin Associates introduces discontinuous unidirectional DiscoTape Pepin Associates introduces discontinuous unidirectional DiscoTape

Pepin Associates Inc has developed a discontinuous, unidirectional preimpregnated reinforcement tape (unitape), called DiscoTape™, which has the ability to stretch up to 30% to form complex shapes.

Conductive Composites introduces CVD coated conductive nonwovens Conductive Composites introduces CVD coated conductive nonwovens

Conductive Composites Company has developed nickel chemical vapour deposition (CVD) coated nonwovens.

Janicki installs 50 ft autoclave

Janicki Industries is adding to its composites capabilities with the introduction of a 50 ft long, 12 ft diameter autoclave.

Goldwind launches “ultra-low” wind speed turbine

Chinese wind turbine manufacturer Goldwind has launched its new wind turbine, designed for “ultra-low” wind speeds.

Wood-Plastic Composites Pavilion at COMPOSITES CHINA 2012

Supported by nova-Institut GmbH, Germany, the Wood-Plastic Composites Pavilion at COMPOSITES CHINA 2012 is co-organised by Reed Exhibitions and the China Association of Comprehensive Resource Utilization's Wood-Plastic Composites Committee.

Lola-Drayson electric race car employs 'green' composites Lola-Drayson electric race car employs 'green' composites

The Lola-Drayson B12/69EV prototype electric race car employs recycled composites and flax reinforced composites, both products born out of joint development programmes involving Umeco.

BASF releases video on wind energy BASF releases video on wind energy

BASF's new video highlights how Enercon GmbH is using BASF products in the manufacture of its wind turbine blades.

Canada to test new biofeedstock in aviation fuel

Canadian researchers are set to test fly aircraft using biofuel made with a new industrialised oil-seed feedstock engineered especially for biofuel production.

China’s Long Yuan opts for GE for first overseas project

China’s largest wind power developer Long Yuan has opted for GE turbines for its first overseas project, a 100MW wind farm in Ontario, Canada.

Automated Dynamics develops AFP work cell for Naval Air Warfare Center Automated Dynamics develops AFP work cell for Naval Air Warfare Center

Automated Dynamics has announced a contract with the Naval Air Warfare Center, Weapons Division, to manufacture an automated fibre placement (AFP) work cell.

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.

Norplex-Micarta offers contract manufacturing

Norplex-Micarta, a manufacturer of high performance thermoset composites, is offering contract manufacturing at its Postville, Iowa, headquarters.

Wabash and Carver exhibit at SAMPE 2012

Moulding press suppliers Wabash MPI and Carver Inc will be exhibiting at the SAMPE 2012 trade show in Baltimore in May.

Creative Composites invests in CNC trimming centre Creative Composites invests in CNC trimming centre

Creative Composites, based in Northern Ireland, has invested in another 5-axis CNC trimming centre.

Caterham Composites expands Caterham Composites expands

Caterham Composites, the composites design and engineering arm of the Caterham Group, is expanding its bases in Germany and the UK.

Atmos develops model for post-construction bird monitoring at wind farms Atmos develops model for post-construction bird monitoring at wind farms

Atmos Consulting has developed computer modelling tools to enable wind farm developers and operators to comply with planning requirements for long-term post-construction monitoring (PCM) of bird behaviour more cost effectively.

Zoltek to supply carbon fibre for around the world yacht Zoltek to supply carbon fibre for around the world yacht

Carbon fibre supplier Zoltek Corporation has agreed to sponsor Hungarian sailing team Team Fahajó when it competes in the IMOCA Ocean Racing World Championship Series in 2013.

GKN Aerospace progresses composite damage detection

GKN Aerospace researchers at the company’s Luton, UK, facility are working with a team at the University of Bristol in the UK on an 18 month programme to explore coatings chemistries that will indicate the existence and extent of damage in composite structures.

Dong Energy gets green light to test next generation turbines in UK

Dong Energy is to test two next generation offshore wind turbines at its Gunfleet Sands site off the eastern coast of England, following consent from the UK authorities to install the turbines.

Boeing awards composites contract to Mubadala Aerospace

Boeing and Mubadala Aerospace have announced a 10-year direct contract for Strata Manufacturing, Mubadala's composite aerostructures facility in Abu Dhabi, to produce composite aerostructures for the Boeing 777 and 787 Dreamliner aircraft.

UV cure CIPP employed for Tennessee sewer pipe UV cure CIPP employed for Tennessee sewer pipe

The Knoxville Utilities Board has used cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) technology with a UV curing resin from AOC to repair an underground sewer pipe in Knoxville, Tennessee, USA.

GE’s 1.6MW wind turbine to debut in Turkey

GE is to supply 31 of its 1.6-100 wind turbines to a wind project in Turkey, the first of the series to be installed in Europe.

RheTech adds agave and coconut fibre to biocomposites line

Thermoplastics compounder RheTech Inc has expanded its RheVision® biocomposites product line to include agave fibre and coconut fibre.

SGL closes majority takeover of Fisipe

The SGL Group of Germany has completed the acquisition of an 86% stake in Portuguese acrylic fibre producer Fisipe.

How to specify FRP to lower corrosion costs How to specify FRP to lower corrosion costs

It's two days to go to this free webinar covering the use of glass fibre reinforced plastic (FRP) in corrosive environments, which is being organised by Reinforced Plastics and Owens Corning.

GKN Aerospace automates composite repair

GKN Aerospace is using laser technology to automate the repair of composite structures.

Clariant launches halogen-free flame retardants for epoxy resins Clariant launches halogen-free flame retardants for epoxy resins

Clariant's Exolit® EP halogen-free flame retardants for epoxy resins are designed to achieve high fire safety levels in transport and construction applications.

2012 EPTA World Pultrusion Conference – review 2012 EPTA World Pultrusion Conference – review

Around 80 people attended the 11th European Pultrusion Technology Association (EPTA) World Pultrusion Conference in Istanbul, Turkey, on 22-23 March.

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.

HEATCON improves process control in composites repair

To meet the demand from the increased use of composites in the commercial aerospace industry, HEATCON Composite Systems has launched a product designed to improve process control in the repair of composite materials.

Vestas “confident” of finding cause of turbine fire

Danish turbine manufacturer Vestas has said it is “confident” it is closer to finding out the root cause of a fire in one of its turbines last month.

Gamesa unveils 2MW wind turbine for low wind speeds

Spanish wind turbine manufacturer Gamesa is to launch a new 2MW turbine, which it says is ideally suited for developments on sites with low wind speeds.

Hexcel showcases new aerospace and automotive applications

At JEC Europe 2012, Hexcel showcased several new composites applications, including a fuselage panel for the Airbus A350 XWB and the roof of the Lamborghini Aventador.

Carbon fibre – past and future

Peter D. Dornier, CEO of Lindauer DORNIER GmbH, will give the keynote lecture at the 6th CFK-Valley Stade Convention in June.

Adastra superyacht launched Adastra superyacht launched

After four years in build by McConaghy Boats in China, the 42.5 m trimaran Adastra has been launched.

Sigmatex receives award for FibreCycle project

Sigmatex (UK) Ltd, a manufacturer of carbon fibre textiles, has been presented with a JEC Innovation Award for work resulting from FibreCycle, a project to develop processes for recovering and recycling carbon fibre.

Ford and Dow team up on low cost, high volume carbon fibre composites

Ford Motor Company and Dow Automotive Systems are partnering to research the use of advanced carbon fibre composites in high-volume vehicles.

BMW unveils i8 Spyder BMW unveils i8 Spyder

Following the presentation of the BMW i3 and BMW i8 concept cars, BMW Group has now unveiled a third i model – the BMW i8 Spyder two-seat sports car. This also features a carbon fibre reinforced plastics passenger cell.

TenCate joins UK's National Composites Centre

TenCate Advanced Composites has now joined the National Composites Centre as a Tier 2 member.

AGY S-1 HM glass fibre used in AmpStar composite reinforced aluminium conductor AGY S-1 HM glass fibre used in AmpStar composite reinforced aluminium conductor

AmpStar, a producer of composite reinforced aluminium conductors for high voltage transmission lines, has chosen S-1 HM™ glass fibre from AGY for the high-strength composite core of its new composite reinforced aluminium conductor (CRAC).

Cytec signs composites supply agreement for COMAC C919 aircraft Cytec signs composites supply agreement for COMAC C919 aircraft

Cytec Industries Inc's Engineered Materials business has been awarded a long-term agreement to supply high-performance composite and adhesive materials for the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China Ltd (COMAC) C919 commercial aircraft.

Cytec to acquire Umeco

Cytec Industries Inc has announced plans to acquire all of the outstanding shares of Umeco plc, a UK headquartered provider of advanced composite materials, for approximately US$439 million.

US DoE reveals US$9 million fund for energy sector innovation

The United States Department of Energy (DoE) is to make up to $9 million available in 2012 to fund approximately 50 small businesses to advance innovative energy efficiency and renewable energy.

Nordex scores first Chinese order for multi-MW range

German wind turbine manufacturer Nordex has scored an order for its 2.5MW N90/2500 turbine from China, the first since the launch of a marketing campaign for the multi-MW series in the Far East.

France awards first round of offshore wind tenders

The French Government has kicked off France’s offshore wind programme, by awarding the first tenders for offshore wind projects in the country.

Gamesa scoops wind innovation award for second time

Spanish wind turbine manufacturer Gamesa has won the JEC Innovation award for wind energy for the second year running, this time for one of its modular blades, the Innoblade.

MultiCam introduces five axis CNC router MultiCam introduces five axis CNC router

CNC cutting system manufacturer MultiCam® Inc has unveiled the 8000 Series Five-Axis Router designed for high-speed, heavy-duty routing in the composites, plastics, woodworking, and non-ferrous metals industries.

Airbus starts final assembly of first A350 XWB Airbus starts final assembly of first A350 XWB

Final assembly of the first Airbus A350 XWB aircraft is underway at the new final assembly line in Toulouse, France, as Airbus starts joining the 19.7 m long centre fuselage with the 21 m long front fuselage.

DIAB appoints Lennart Hagelqvist new CEO DIAB appoints Lennart Hagelqvist new CEO

Lennart Hagelqvist will take over as CEO for core materials supplier DIAB, following current CEO Anders Paulsson's request to step down from this position.

SP-High Modulus to engineer 141 m Dream Symphony yacht SP-High Modulus to engineer 141 m Dream Symphony yacht

SP-High Modulus, the marine business of Gurit, has signed a contract to provide engineering services for what is scheduled to be the largest private sailing yacht ever built – Dream Symphony.

McConaghy Boats aids James Cameron's Deepsea Challenge McConaghy Boats aids James Cameron's Deepsea Challenge

McConaghy Boats has highlighted its involvement in the building of James Cameron's record-breaking one-man submarine, the DEEPSEA CHALLENGER, which last month reached the deepest seabed in the world.

AOC introduces fire retardant resin for mass transportation

AOC's latest unsaturated polyester resin system, Firepel® K120, is halogen-free and fire retardant and is designed for rail, van and bus applications.

All Energy 2012 preview: new features revealed

Seven weeks ahead of doors opening in Aberdeen, All-Energy 2012, one of the UK’s largest renewables exhibitions, has revealed three new “zones” that will be featured in the show.

PPG adds new chopped strand products

PPG Industries’ Fiber Glass business has added three CHOPVANTAGE chopped strand fibre products to its portfolio.

Scott Bader increases resin prices in Europe

Scott Bader Europe is increasing the prices for its resins and other manufactured composite products on 1 May 2012.

France to showcase “innovative and powerful” wind sector at EWEA 2012

The French wind industry is to showcase itself at the forthcoming EWEA exhibition in Denmark in the coming weeks.

Reinforced Plastics & COMPOSITES CHINA Congress 2012 Reinforced Plastics & COMPOSITES CHINA Congress 2012

Reinforced Plastics magazine and Reed Exhibitions are inviting presentations for the Reinforced Plastics & COMPOSITES CHINA Congress 2012, taking place on 7 June in Shanghai.

Last week's top 3 stories

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

UK wind industry commits to boosting “national prosperity”

Eleven major wind energy companies have signed a “Wind Charter” promising to use wind power to boost national prosperity in the UK.

JEC Europe 2012 attracts over 32 000 visitors

The JEC Europe 2012 trade show last month attracted a total of 32 256 visitors, up from 29 867 in 2011.

SPE and Missouri University release survey on composites sustainability

The organising committee for the SPE Automotive Composites Conference & Exhibition (ACCE) has teamed up with Missouri University of Science & Technology to develop an online survey investigating the importance of sustainability in the field of polymer composites.

UK's National Composites Centre and AIC agree new partnership

AIC Group and the National Composites Centre (NCC) have announced a new, two-part strategic partnership.

TenCate launches app for composite products TenCate launches app for composite products

TenCate Advanced Composites has launched an iPad app focusing on its aerospace and industrial composite product line.

SGL expands European carbon fibre precursor production

SGL Group, Germany, has signed a contract to acquire an 86% stake in Portuguese company Fisipe for approximately €25 million and will develop a production facility for carbon fibre precursor.

Composite Scandinavia stops LPG cylinder production

Hexagon Composites subsidiary Composite Scandinavia AB has decided to stop production of composite LPG cylinders in Piteå, Sweden.

World’s leading economies to push for action on clean energy

Energy ministers from 23 of the world's leading economies will meet in London from 25-27 April, to work together on accelerating the transition to clean energy technologies ahead of a major sustainable development conference this summer.

GE to supply turbines to “hot” Ontario wind market

Turbine manufacturer GE is to supply turbines to 9 new wind power projects in the Canadian province of Ontario.

Study: New England offshore wind farm will slash regional electricity bills

A planned offshore wind farm off the coast of Massachusetts could cut US$286 million a year from New England electricity bills, a study has revealed.

3B roving optimised for polyester and vinyl ester turbine blade manufacture 3B roving optimised for polyester and vinyl ester turbine blade manufacture

3B's HiPer-tex™ W3030 glass roving is optimised for the manufacture of wind turbine blades using resin infusion processes with polyester or vinyl ester resins.

Huntsman launches Araldite apps Huntsman launches Araldite apps

Huntsman Advanced Materials is launching two new mobile apps for Android and iPhone with product selectors enabling identification of the right Araldite® industrial adhesive or Araldite composite formulated system by process or application.

Harper Beacon program analyses energy efficiency of carbon fibre manufacture

Harper International has launched Beacon™, a new program offering carbon fibre manufacturers the ability to evaluate the carbon footprint of their manufacturing process.

Gurit announces new automotive contract

Gurit has announced a new supply contract with an existing automotive customer.

Norplex-Micarta introduces RT571 tubing for thick wall applications Norplex-Micarta introduces RT571 tubing for thick wall applications

Norplex-Micarta's RT571 is a high strength tubing composed of a heavy weave glass fabric with an epoxy resin system.

ICI starts production of composite modular homes in South Carolina

Innovative Composites International Inc (ICI) has announced the start of the production line designed to produce composite modular homes at its Orangeburg, South Carolina, USA, facility.

AGC Composites Group acquires Hill AeroSystems

AGC Composites Group, part of AGC Aerospace & Defense, has acquired Hill AeroSystems Inc, a US specialist in the design and manufacture of complex metal parts and assemblies.

Azelis distributes Poliya resins in Italy

Turkish resin producer Poliya Composite Resins and Polymers (Poliya) has entered into a marketing and distribution agreement with speciality chemicals distributor Azelis Italia.

Dassault Systèmes joins UK's National Composites Centre

Software specialist Dassault Systèmes has become the first Associate Member of the National Composites Centre, the UK’s new hub for design and manufacture of high quality composite products.

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 March.

Gurit closes aerospace prepreg supply contract

Gurit has agreed the continuation of supplies of prepreg materials for all Airbus aircraft types for the years 2012 and 2013 with an existing customer.

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.