Composites in the News Last Week

There were several military-related agreements announced this week. Naxcer Composites completed its merger with Invictus Armor Solutions, which gives Naxcer a bigger market share in the military and law enforcement arena. Plasan North America and its partner Oshkosh Corp. have finalized a $170 million contract renewal with the U.S. military with a new order for almost 1,500 armored vehicles. TenCate has secured $25 million in vehicle and personal protection armor contracts from several American military vehicle OEM’s, such as General Dynamics Land Systems and BAE Systems, as well as the United States Army.

In the aerospace sector, Lockheed Martin passed a technology milestone when it completed fabrication of the world’s largest heat shield structure, which will be used in the team’s Orion aerospace project. Russia’s United Aircraft Corp. purchased an automated composites processing system from MAG Industries. The equipment, a first-ever for Russia’s aerospace sector, will be used for aircraft design and construction. Meanwhile, Avior and Bell Helicopter inked a multi-year, $35 million contract to supply the structural assemblies for Bell’s new 429 helicopter, and Republic Airways ordered 40 Bombardier C Series aircrafts for its U.S.-based fleet.

Turning to renewable energy, Suzlon says it predicts a lower production year in 2010, coming from a record level in 2009, but with installed capacity resuming in the second half of the year. Conversely, GE sees a $130 billion jump in land turbine sales by 2012, with Canada and Latin America leading the way. There were also varying attitudes toward wind energy throughout the world. A group of U.S. senators called for a halt in federal stimulus spending aimed at building wind farms and other clean-energy projects, arguing too much of the money has been siphoned to overseas jobs. But London-based BP announced it will start building three U.S. wind farms, beginning this year and into 2011. And Kenya’s Lake Turkana Wind Power project received funding from the Spanish government, to the tune of $150 million.

This year’s Geneva Motor Show will feature several new composites-fueled automotive models. Koenigsegg is unveiling the carbon & Kevlar-bodied Agera supercar, the Lotus Evora Carbon will use carbon fiber in carbon fiber in structural, aerodynamic and interior components, and Porsche’s 918 Spyder is a carbon fiber-enhanced hybrid supercar. Also at the show, EDAG has used polyurethane technology to develop a special space frame structure covered with lightweight plastic outer skin panels for its “Light Car – Open Source.”

Several European companies and technological centers are working to develop lighter and better performing structural composite materials for the construction sector. Here in the United States, Fyfe Company has conducted an extensive research and development project to achieve a four-hour fire rating for fiber-reinforced polymers. And Alcoa was honored for incorporating its Reynolux aluminum composite materials into the design of a Los Angeles performing arts school.

Companies are still finding ways to adapt and succeed in a changing marine market. One recreational boat team is making waves by unveiling a carbon fiber and fiberglass speedcraft called Phenomenon, which it claims is the fastest boat ever with speeds of up to 250 mph. In land recreation news, Scattante unveiled a carbon bike frame for professional cyclists that weighs in at 980 grams, and Edge Composites has raised its profile by landing BMX hall-of-famer Brian Lopes as a rider for its 2010 season.