A lovely sunny day in Paris, … and the first day of JEC Europe 2012.
The show looked busy and exhibitors were happy with their visitors. From my initial impressions, the use of carbon fibre in the automotive industry is still creating quite a buzz, but there are also many other advances going on.
There were two press conferences today:
- AkzoNobel and DSM Composite Resins launched BluCure cobalt-free curing technology and products for unsaturated polyester and vinyl ester resins. With the use of cobalt-based curing agents currently under regulatory review in Europe, the two companies have decided to combine their respective intellectual property and offer the technology for license to manufacturers of resins and composite products (see AkzoNobel and DSM launch BluCure cobalt-free curing technology).
- Axson introduced its new organisation and strategy, a new COO (Andre Genton, previously head of Huntsman Advanced Materials), plus new products for the composites industry.
In other news:
- AGY launched a ‘re-energised’ organisation, headed by new President Drew Walker, and a significant agreement with Taishan Fiberglass of China to manufacture AGY’s new S-1 HM high performance glass rovings for wind turbine blades (see AGY and CTG/Taishan Fiberglass partner on glass rovings for wind blades);
- Momentive introduced its new Transportation Research and Application Centre in Duisburg, Germany, which will work with customers to develop low cycle time processes for the automotive industry, plus a new epoxy system for fast cure for carbon fibre composites (see Momentive launches new automotive and wind energy resins);
- Rhodia Engineering Plastics showcased its Evolite thermoplastic composite product range and potential applications in the automotive sector.
