Composites in the News Last Week

As the World Cup kicked off this weekend, it’s notable that Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa features fiber-reinforced concrete panels, which manufacturer Rieder Smart Elements says are 10 times lighter than conventional materials. In other infrastructure news, Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, Calif. said it is incorporating composite landscape pavers for walkways in its new Earth-Friendly Garden. According to Applied Market Information, wood plastic composites usage grew by 27 percent in Europe between 2005 and 2009, with further growth potential strongest in the construction and building exteriors sectors. The S&P/Case Shiller Index reported that housing prices fell 3.2 percent in the first quarter of 2010 but are still above its year-ago levels.

Within automotive, The Big 3 Detroit automakers (Chrysler, Ford and General Motors) posted double-digit sales increases last month thanks to new vehicles and strong fleet sales. The Railway Supply Institute’s American Railcar Institute Committee secured Congressional support for its Green Railcar Enhancement Act of 2010. Researchers from the University of Manchester say graphene has the potential to replace carbon fibers in high-performance materials that are used to build fuel-efficient vehicles. Chevrolet is offering a carbon fiber package for the latest edition of its C6 Corvette.

Meanwhile, NC BioNetwork, a partner of North Carolina Community College System, launched a composites educational YouTube video entitled “Composites in Aviation,” showing the growth and importance of composites within aerospace. Exemplifying this growth, Dassault Systemes offered a half-day composite design seminar at Wichita State University’s National Institute for Aviation Research, hosted by Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems. Naxcer Composites completed its new manufacturing and research facility located in Louisville, Colorado and Aerospace supplier Goodrich bought privately held British-based Crompton Technology.

Pointing to the disastrous Gulf oil spill, Senator Collins (R-Maine) says the U.S. should focus on deep water wind and other forms of renewable energy, rather than deep water drilling. The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center announced grants to fund four studies on the feasibility of installing wind energy facilities in the state. AWEA celebrated the passage of Ohio tax reform that will lower high taxes on wind power. On the manufacturing side, GE plans to build turbines, looming 300 feet in the air, for a proposed farm six miles off Lake Erie shores. BCE launched the first satellite-shaped vertical wind solar generator, made form a composite aluminum alloy. American Superconductor and Hyundai Heavy Industries agreed to jointly develop 5 megawatt wind turbines, and the companies expect production by the end of 2011. A 579-megawatt (MW) offshore wind farm is set for North Wales; construction is scheduled to begin in 2011 and produce electricity by 2013. India continues to emerge as a wind energy leader, already the fifth largest producer of wind power in the world.

Marine had some celebrating this past week, with National Fishing and Boating Week. In response, the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) voiced optimism in growing sales numbers. Hoping this equates to increased sales for their business, Boston Whaler announced the release of its new 170 Super Sport boat. Meanwhile, fiberglass boat manufacturer Pro-Line Boats and Donzi Marine announce a $100,000 prize for the upcoming Southern King Association’s national championship and DIAB started a consulting group to help manufacturers implement composites in applications such as transportation and marine.

Finally, in the sports & recreation market, WHAM-O unveiled a new line of eco-friendly toys, and they’re implementing biopolymer composites to help make it happen. 3N2 Sports developed and released a shoe for baseball umpires, which uses a carbon fiber toe and plate to replace steel. Also, according to a new report, carbon fiber usage is strong in the recreation market (up to 50 percent in golf and fishing), with double digit growth expected through 2015.

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