Loading ...Composites Evolution launched Biotex, a new family of bio-based materials. The flax-based material is manufactured by a twistless technology that the company says will provide similar levels of performance to glass reinforced materials. Meanwhile, recycling composites made headlines when VAST, which transforms post-consumer recycled rubber and plastics into green composite masonry building material, received two 2009 Tekne Awards (the Cleantech and the Innovative Collaboration of the Year) from the Minnesota High Tech Association.
The first of 25 Windspire vertical wind turbines were installed at Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Conn. The micro-wind farm will be the first university-based farm in the U.S. and will power more than 50 percent of outdoor lighting on campus. In the People’s Republic of China, GC China Turbine Corp., and Wuhan Guoce Nordic New Energy Co., agreed to develop a research institute for the development of twin blade, 2.5 – 3 MW utility scale turbines. Further openings were announced when wind turbine manufacturer Mitsubishi Power Systems America announced a facility opening in Fort Smith, Ark. The company says it will invest approximately $100 million in the project, which could employ up to 400 people. Samsung’s deal to supply turbines to the Ontario, Canada area was put to a grinding halt on Wednesday. Authorities feared it would give billions of dollars in subsidies to the South Korean supplier that other developers would not have. Yet Vestas, the world’s largest wind turbine maker, proved once again that wind energy is more than a current fad, when it reported a jump in quarterly profits.
Attempting to jump on the slowly rising economy, UK-based Delcam is hosting a free composites aerospace seminar aimed at aiding organizations in getting the most out of the changing industry. Also, Blackhawk Composites Inc., a start-up manufacturer of advanced aerospace composite parts, will begin manufacturing operations in Morgantown, Ky. The company will lease a 40,000 square-foot facility to manufacture advanced aerospace composite parts for Cessna Caravan aircraft cowls. But Boeing’s decision to open a new plant in less-unionized South Carolina is sparking debate among labor unions and many wonder what it will mean for the already delayed 787.
In the auto world, BMW announced a joint venture with the SGL Group to work on the new Megacity vehicle. The car will be launched under a sub-brand during the first half of the next decade, and will employ an array of lightweight composite materials to enable its low emissions goals.
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