Composites in the News Last Week

In the automotive industry this week, Tesla Motors entered the Asian market for the first time, delivering its carbon fiber roadsters to Japan. Ford unveiled the Start concept vehicle at the Beijing Motor Show. The model’s body panels are made from recyclable composites that have the color molded in. Magna became one of several companies saying they’ll focus on lowering costs of lithium batteries by working on new composites for the batteries.

Meanwhile, the renewable energy sector continues to boom. Argentina’s IMPSA announced it will build a wind turbine factory in Vietnam and promises to create a farm capable of generating 1,000 MW of power over the next five years.  BC China Turbine, a manufacturer of twin blade wind turbines, entered into a LOI (letter of intent) with a European renewable energy development partner to create a strategic alliance focused in Poland. Northwire Inc. launched a new tray cable, found in turbine nacelles, for use in wind turbines.

Within the U.S., offshore turbines got a plug in upstate New York, with plans to install turbines off the shores of Lake Ontario and Lake Erie. The Governor of Michigan announced the state will make an additional $20 million available to small Michigan manufacturers looking to diversify, retool and create jobs in clean energy.  The wind energy industry is evolving, and businesses looking for next frontier are looking at underwater turbines. TPI Composites reported it was temporarily laying off employees due to market conditions. And fiberglass manufacturer Owens Corning stated it will supply glass fiber for pipes that will stretch thousands of feet below the ocean surface as part of the Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion being developed by Lockheed Martin.

In Infrastructure, a new report states the Indian FRP pipes and tanks market has a positive outlook with revenue growth of 29 percent and shipment growth of 22 percent in 2010. The Knickerbocker Bridge in Boothbay, Maine will be replaced by a new one built with composite beams. The Missouri Department of Transportation approved the use of a design incorporating reinforced polymer for a pedestrian bridge over the Missouri River.

Celebration was the word of the week in aviation. An event at the National Composites Center brought together aerospace businesses, organizations and supply chain partners to discuss the impact of Ohio’s aerospace supply chain in a global market. Composite Technology Research Malaysia (CTRM), an aircraft component manufacturer, received a RM 3.5 billion production order last week, successfully filling its production calendar through 2023. Boeing will begin sending engineers and inspectors on test flights for the 787 Dreamliner, commending the official certification process. The National Institute for Aviation Research will celebrate its 25^th Anniversary with an open house on April 30, which will feature demonstrations, tours and aviation-themed movies.

New collaborations between government and universities continue, with composites as the hot topic. The Department of Defense asked Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to investigate whether an Oregon-based wind farm will interfere with radar signals. The study is projected to approximately two months.  An Oklahoma State University professor received a Fulbright scholarship for research on the behavior of complex macromolecules after they’re mixed and form composites. The University of Wisconsin-Stout held a “Bridge Day” for students to learn about bridge technologies, including composites. SABIC signed an agreement with King Abdullah University of Science and Technology to build a research center with a heavy composites focus.

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