Composites in the News

The winds of change are a-blowin’ all around the world. After nearly nine years of legal battles, regulators approved the first offshore wind farm in the U.S. Michigan approved $6 million in funding for joint venture Astraeus Wind Energy. Astraeus will work in collaboration with Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Dow Chemical to produce carbon fiber wind turbines. Meanwhile, the UK reached the 1GW landmark, comprised of 11 wind farms or 336 wind turbines. Repower has contracted to supply 44 wind turbines to Turkey. Germany’s first offshore wind project has been commissioned, with a goal to reach 25,000 megawatt (MW) capacity by 2030.

In the wake of these developments, education efforts are ramping up. The Washington Post felt the need to debunk myths about green energy. According to an article written in the New York Times, experts, emphasizing sooner rather than later, say wind projects are crucial step for the U.S. sector. GE kicked off a 28-day multi-state tour to emphasize the escalating role renewable energy will have on the U.S. During a tour of Midwest states, President Obama visited Iowa-based turbine manufacturer Siemens Energy. Obama praised green jobs stating he’s “staking America’s future on a clean energy.”

Daimler AG and Toray Industries, Inc. will jointly develop components made from carbon-fiber reinforced plastics for vehicles such as the Mercedes-Benz. Lotus Engineering and the International Council on Clean Transportation released a study focused on how weight reduction (including the use of composites) can improve fuel efficiency. V-Vehicle, a San Diego-based manufacturer of composite plastic cars, is planning to bid for federal and state funds to start up a factory in Louisiana.

In aerospace, ATK received a contract to produce composite components for the F-35 stealth fighter aerospace company Lockheed Martin. According to InterFlight Global, an aerospace consulting firm, the aerospace composite market is set to reach $50 billion annually by 2018.

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) will retrofit the State Route 99 Aurora Avenue Bridge in Seattle with FRP column wraps. Arabian Construction Week announced the inaugural Future Build Middle East exhibition, its first dedicated single-sourcing platform for the latest technology and innovative projects.

Lexus is expanding into the recreation market by producing a carbon fiber hybrid bicycle. Williams F1 acquired a majority stake in Williams Hybrid Power, which produces composite flywheel systems for motorsports. Advanced International Multitech Co., a Taiwanese golf club head manufacturer, announced its production lines are fully booked through the end of June.

In other positive news, the Bennington County Industrial Corp. will receive $40,000 in funding for the expansion of a composites cluster in the area, which includes Plasan Composites and Vermont Composites. Goodrich was contracted to supply composite sail cusps for eight Virginia-class submarines.

There were some unfortunate news items, however. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has shut down operations at Advanced Carbon Composites due to multiple recalls on the company’s motorcycle helmets. A former employee of Creative Composites pleaded guilty to embezzling $30,000 from the company. Vestas reported a surprise loss ($108 million) due to credit crunch and subsequent cut orders. Wind turbine blade manufacturer and repair company Knight & Carver Wind Group, based in South Dakota, announced it will lay off one-third its work force. And TPI Composites has laid off some workers in its Newton, Iowa facility because of market conditions.

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