Axion will present a case study on the installation of recycled plastic railroad bridges at the Army Transportation Corps’ Ft. Eustis training facility in Virginia.

The EU plans to impose higher tariffs on Chinese fiberglass.

To attract waning customers, Automobili Lamborghini is considering adding a four-door sedan to its portfolio of two-seater models.

CRP Technology set to resell Zircotec composite coatings for race and road applications including F1 and NASCAR.

Beijing-based Sinovel Wind Co. unveiled plans to build a turbine factory in Shanghai. Worth $441 million, the plant will help meet domestic and overseas demand.

The French government will launch a tender for contracts worth 10 billion Euros to build 3,000 megawatts of offshore energy across France.

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled in favor of the Cape Wind offshore wind farm.

Global Technologies acquired Hybrid Wind Turbine Designs and CLE (Creative Laboratory Enterprises), increasing its small and medium wind development portfolio.

GKN Aerospace delivered the first major assembly CH-53K heavy lift helicopter to Sikorsky Aircraft.

Albany Engineered Composites was contracted to Boeing’s CLEEN Engine Nozzle program to supply ceramic matrix composite acoustic engine nozzle.

Cri-Cri, an all electric aircraft jointly developed by EADS Innovation Works, Aero Composites Saintonge and the Green Cri-Cri Association, took its maiden flight on Thursday outside of Paris.

Composiflex hosted a plant tour for Pa. Representative and NIST Director.

PPG’s Kentucky plant rebounds on strong demand for fiberglass yarn.

Wausaukee Composites plans to invest $1.9 million to expand and renovate a Michigan plant.

Under Secretary of the Army met with the Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC) to discuss technology developments of lighter, efficient protection for combat vehicles.

A $65 million, five-year composite research program by the Cooperative Research Centre for Advanced Composite Structures (CRC-ACS) began.

Skeeter Products wins awards in “Fiberglass Bass Boats” and “Fiberglass Outboard Boats” categories from NMMA.

Interplastic announces the recipients of its 2010 Scholars Award.

For daily composites updates, subscribe to CM Twitter.

Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Chemical Technology have developed a new thermoplastic fiber composite for safer cars.

An SPE conference keynote speaker from McLaren Automotive will discuss the company’s carbon fiber-reinforced-plastic safety cell or MonoCell.

Wausaukee Composites received tax credits from Michigan to help hire 100 workers during the next five years.

Fiberglass boat sales dropped sharply in July.

A study conducted by the Global Wind Energy Council and the Indian Wind Turbine Manufacturers Association found wind energy can generate up to 24 percent of the country’s total power by 2030.

Renewable energy is seen as the new cash crop for British Farmers.

Dow Venture Capital group made a minority equity investment in Blade Dynamics, a designer and manufacturer of advanced wind turbine blades.

Norwegian-based turbine manufacturer Statoil is considering sites off Scotland and the eastern U.S. to test its floating wind farm.

Aerospace-parts manufacturer Royal Plastics changed its name to Royal Engineered Composites, which the company says more accurately reflects its name.

The landing gear on the Virgin Galactic space tourism jet collapsed during a test flight on Thursday. However, manufacturer Scaled Composites called it a “minor incident.”

Ocean Renewable Power Company successfully generated grid-compatible energy with its 60-kilowatt tidal power generator installed off the coast of Maine.

Former Vestas employees formed a new company, Sureblades, and re-opened a closed turbine plant in Isle of Wight.

Duke Energy dropped plans to install demonstration wind turbines off the coast of North Carolina, citing the project was too small to be worth the cost.

The global cast polymer market will grow by 9 percent, according to a new report.

TPI Composites adds a supply chain expert from GE to its board of directors.

Construction has begun on the National Composites Centre in Bristol.

For daily composites updates, subscribe to CM Twitter.

The Seattle Boat Show took place last week, giving attendees a chance to shop around with 90-minute sailboat rides, free stand up paddleboard lessons and other demos.

Seawind Catamarans was named the Australian Marine Exporter of the Year during the Sydney International Boat Show.

Florida-based Catalina Yachts launched its new Catalina 355.

California candidate for senate Carly Fiorna visited SnugTop Custom Fiberglass Manufacturing last week.

North Fork Composites’s owner was named a defendant in a lawsuit filed by his former company over trademark use for fishing products.

ASA Manufacturing Inc. caught fire last week. The plant, which makes fiberglass structures for theme parks, was almost destroyed.

Miles Fiberglass received a $50,000 grant from the Oregon Business Development Dept. to help create jobs that support wind energy.

Matrix Composites & Engineering recorded more than $18 million profit last year.

Now one of the biggest cultured marble companies in the southeast, Atlanta Marble Manufacturing is celebrating 40 years in business.

Continental Structural Plastics is closing an Ohio plant and moving its production to India.

Turkish Aerospace Industries delivered its first composite prototype for the new F-35 Lightning II.

ATK and NASA will begin the second ground test of the Ares five-segment solid rocket motor at the end of August.

Renovalia Energy invests 220 million in Canadian wind farm, scheduled to begin in early 2011.

The British government plans to install solar panels and wind turbines to every public building and hospital car park, giving local authorities a way to earn up to 100 million pounds a year from electricity generation.

Siemens Canada will build new turbine blade factory in Ontario, employing 300 people.

Beacon Power began construction on a flywheel energy plant in New York, made of carbon-fiber composite material, which will reduce emissions by 82 percent and provide 10 percent of the state’s energy.

Struggling solar panel maker Energy Conversion Devices will eliminate 140 U.S. jobs as it shifts production from Michigan to Mexico to save money.

Australia-based AGL Energy announced a joint venture wind farm with New Zealand-based Meridian Energy. Construction of the Victoria farm will begin by early 2013.

Former GE executive joined wind turbine manufacturer TPI Composites.

For daily composites updates, subscribe to CM Twitter.

A federal grant to Missouri’s DOT will build three bridges with hybric composite beams (HCB).

Start-up New Wind Solutions plans to manufacture carbon fiber blades in Walla Walla, Wash.

Chem-Trend celebrates 50 years in business this year.

Boral Composites is building a plant in North Carolina to produce a new green product line for home building.

The National Science Foundation is funding a new research center focused on environmentally friendly wood-based composite materials.

Manufacturer Innovative Composites International was a first-stage winner in the Building Back Better Communities housing competition sponsored by the Haitian government.

A new fiberglass plant is set to employ 1,200 in Bahrain, the result of a joint venture between Saudi Arabia’s S & A Abahsain Company and China’s Chongqing Polycomp International Corporation (CPIC).

Manufacturer Sigma Industries accepted a restructuring proposal, after recently filing for bankruptcy protection.

Goodrich bought DeCrane, which  produces molded composites and other products for aircraft interiors.

More composites in airplanes means more work for airplane repair companies like Ultimate Aircraft Composites.

For daily composites updates, subscribe to CM Twitter.

TPI failed to create the jobs it promised in Iowa, at least not as quickly as it thought, but the company was granted an extension by the Iowa Economic Board.

Brunswick Corp. announced the sale of its Triton Boats line, one of three lines based in Ashland City. Another line, Lund Fiberglass, will move production to a different Brunswick plant.

Matrix Composites is expanding its fiberglass operations in Henderson, Ky.

The marine market continues to advance by borrowing ideas and technology from other industries: Recently, a partnership between Persico and Future Fibres aims to build carbon fiber masts for the high-end marine market.

Creative Pultrusions received another patent for its composites bulkhead product.

After a fire that started at Ludlow Composites’ when rubber matting got caught in an oven, employees are back to work.

The ongoing legal saga between Viking Pools and one of its dealers progressed toward a resolution this week.

Scott Lewit won an SBA Award after his company suffered setbacks in the aftermath of 2008's Tropical Storm Fay

President Scott Lewit of Florida-based Compsys, a manufacturer of composite performs, received the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) 2010 Perseverance Award. According to the SBA, Lewit won the award for his dedication, drive and determination to help Compsys recover from damages of Tropical Storm Fay. During the summer of 2008, Compsys was flooded by the storm and all the company’s equipment, materials and tools damaged under water. Lewit not only stepped in to process the loan papers (something he notes as being very intensive) but also deferred personal pay for a year in order to help the company recover and volunteered to work extra hours and weekend.

Lewit states, “We received great letters from key customers such as Lockheed Martin, Regal, Grady White and Sea Ray for how we handled the problem. From there the SBA nominated and approached us about the award. That means a lot to me because the flood hit us at a bad time, since it coincided with tough economic conditions and a sharp decrease in lending from the banks.”

In reality, Lewit credits the SBA for the company’s ability to get back on its feet. “The SBA disaster relief funding provided the capital we needed—low interest rate loans, not grants—to recover from damages,” he says. “This award really belongs to the hard working folks at the SBA. They are responsive, professional and dedicated to helping companies like ours recover from disasters.”

Yet he also uses the opportunity to highlight and encourage reform in lending regulatory requirements. “Our loan was a direct SBA loan because it was a disaster relief loan,” he says. “Banks issue SBA backed loans that are now guaranteed by the SBA for 90 percent. But even with this, many businesses are finding that SBA lenders are unable to extend loans due to lending guidelines. In other words, banks want to help but are burdened by regulatory requirements such as cash flow and debt/worth. Further, many bankers comment that if these loans were to be funded directly by the SBA as opposed to funded by a bank, that it would create liquidity in the banking system because that money would go into the deposit account of a company. So, I respectfully request the House and Senate to seriously consider direct SBA loans to small business.”

Optimistic that reform is possible, the SBA Office of Advocacy released a study examining the type of credit utilized by small business. Bank Credit, Trade Credit or No Credit: Evidence from the Surveys of Small Business Finances, by Rebel A. Cole, compares firms that use credit (leveraged) with those that do not (unleveraged). The study also looks at which kind of credit leveraged firms’ use–bank credit (loans or lines of credit) trade credit (from suppliers) or both. The study found that the two types of credit (bank credit and trade credit) used by small firms are complements, with many small firms using both types of credit simultaneously.

“Access to credit is one of the most important issues facing small business today” said Acting Chief Counsel for Advocacy Susan Walthall. “A study that provides a better understanding of the credit used by small business is invaluable to policymakers, small business and their suppliers.”

Collaboration is one reason composites have taken off in the aerospace sector. That trend continues this week with announcements from a number of companies: Bombadier and National Research Council Canada will partner to develop technology for automated fabrication of composite aircraft fuselages. Meanwhile, Goodrich, Lockheed Martin and Fokker signed an agreement to develop composite landing gear structures for the F-35 Lightning II, and Goodrich and the University of Dayton Research Institute announced they will develop production capabilities for advanced nanomaterial for aerospace applications. In some cases, composites manufactures may not have a choice about working with other companies. Some analysts think Airbus and Boeing will force composites manufacturers and other suppliers to consolidate.

It’s not a roaring comeback, but some boatbuilders are finding ways to survive and prepare for the future. Helly Hansen Group announced that its operating revenues increased one percent in 2009, including the marine segment, despite the challenging global economy. Hatteras Yachts, announced it will consolidate productions of both its Hatteras yacht and CABO Yacht brands to its New Bern, N.C. facility. Meanwhile, UK boatbuilders met to talk about incorporating advanced composites in boats. Schools that offer boatbuilding courses are still attracting students. The International Yacht Restoration School (IYRS), home to the school’s marine systems and newly launched composites technology program, has an upcoming Open House, while the Cape Fear Community College is annual Boat Show, which will feature fiberglass boats and materials from area dealers.

In infrastructure news, Energy Composites completed production of two composites flange duct spools for use in a flue gas desulfurization installation. Innovative Composites International Inc. announced it has received a purchase order for a composite pedestrian bridge from Engineered Plastics Inc. Victaulic now offers FRP pipe manufacturers a coupling it says produces more efficient installation.

If job creation is the next phase of economic recovery, the renewable energy industry is doing its part. Vestas announced it will hire more than 1,000 people at three Colorado-based turbine manufacturing plants after receiving a surge of orders. Daewoo finalized an agreement with the government of Nova Scotia, Canada to build a wind turbine plant, creating 120 jobs within the first year and up to 500 in the next three. Meanwhile, support for ‘green’ initiatives from governments and industry continues to grow. State lawmakers in Massachusetts moved ahead with a bill that would make it easier for wind projects to receive permits and overcome opposition, while GE issued a call for entries in a 10-week contest to speed global power-grid upgrades, promising investment and marketing help for the best submissions, to the tune of $200 million. Also, the Sierra Nevada Corporation provided $1 million to the University of Nevada, Reno for research into a transportable, renewable energy generating system. The project will bring together the mechanical, thermal, electrical, chemical and advanced composites departments within the university. However, reaching renewable energy goals is still a distant future for some: With six months left to hit their target, California utilities struggle to meet mandated renewable-power requirements.

Boeing grabbed most headlines in this week’s aerospace news. The new 787 aircraft made its European debut on Monday at the UK-based Farnborough International Airshow, and the F-15 Silent Eagle demonstrator made its first flight, used to validate the initial engineering design approach. The company forecasts a $3.6 trillion market for new commercial airplanes over the next 20 years.

In marine news, U.S. Navy vessel manufacturer Northrop Grumman is considering a sale or spinoff of its shipbuilding unit; but will take several quarters to make a decision. UK-based Composite Mouldings is now manufacturing pram dinghies made entirely of surplus materials, thus preventing large amounts of waste within the yard.

Carbon fiber applications continue to find acceptance in the automotive and motor sports market. Lamborghini opened an Advanced Composites Research Center (ACRC) in the brand’s hometown of Sant’Agata Bolognese. The facility will research cutting-edge carbon fiber production and design processes. The Indy Racing League announced it will stick with current chassis-builder Dallara for the next generation of lighter-weight, all-carbon fiber chassis. Tesla Motors announced it will soon tour its pure-electric, hand-build carbon fiber Roadster. And after a fatal accident in Seattle last week, the NHRA announced that carbon fiber brake rotors and pads will be a mandatory part on Top Fuel dragsters and cars by August 11, 2010.

In other news, West Virginia University Professor Barbero, of mechanical and aerospace engineering, recently completed a second edition of “Introduction to Composite Materials Design”, aimed at undergraduate students and practicing engineers. Core-composites supplier Tricel Honeycomb announced Sue Mesmer as its new customer service manager.

In an online article, Aviation Weekly addressed the future of composite repairs in aerospace. The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) announced it will present aerospace awards in late July, including innovative design concepts incorporating new composite materials. Hartzell Aerospace received Nadcap accreditation for composites, accompanied by upgrades to its manufacturing capabilities within the facility.

The infrastructure industry was looking a little green this week, as New Polymer Systems Inc. announced it plans to commercialize a bio-based additive from lignocellulose fiber for use in landscaping, roofing and drainage pipes applications. Meanwhile, fiberglass siding may soon become a more widespread option for residential homeowners. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) plans to file a lawsuit against the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for removing a provision that allowed contractors to bypass extra preparation, clean-up and recordkeeping requirements in homes where there were no children under six or pregnant women, thus avoiding additional costs.

Efforts in renewable energy received some high-profile boosts. President Obama announced a $400 million loan to support solar panel manufacturing. The University of Houston’s efforts to become a national leader in offshore wind technology received a $2.3 million boost from the U.S. Department of Energy for a testing facility. And Colorado-based Abound Solar secured a $400 million Recovery Act loan guarantee for manufacturing thin-film solar panels. Danish-based wind energy giant Vestas announced a new R&D office in Louisville, Ky. that will employ up to 240 people over the next few years. Elsewhere in the sector, a recent feasibility study published in the Journal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy says that deepwater, floating wind turbines up to 5-megawatts won’t topple. China officially started transmitting power from its biggest offshore wind farm, off the coast of Shanghai, to the mainland grid. Suzlon bagged a wind turbine order from Hindustan Petroleum Corp for the company’s 25.5-megawatt project in Rajasthan, India. A wind farm project protest proves that, to some, green energy isn’t green enough.

Turning to marine, the U.S. Court of Appeals exonerated Cook Composites and Polymers for claims related to gel coat cracking on yachts built by Viking Yacht Co. and Post Marine Co. between 1997 and 2004. Sabre Yachts celebrated its 40^th anniversary this past weekend in Boothbay Harbor, Maine. And Australian-based Bar Crusher introduced a new 550CR model, the first in a new series, offering crossover boats to a broader audience.

If you kept an eye on the leisure and recreation industry, you would have seen a new giant fiberglass eye sculpture at Chicago’s Pritzer Park. Deakin University researchers will incorporate out-of-autoclave composites in the development of a “Smart Bike” for the UCI World Road Championships later this year. Reynolds’ composites division unveiled a more aerodynamic version of their RZR 46 wheels in the opening prologue of this year’s Tour de France. Finally, composite baseball bats suffered another setback as the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) banned the materials until they can meet a revised performance standard.

For daily composites updates, subscribe to CM Twitter.

Meanwhile, in the marine sector, Discover Boating launched a series of online games and interactive Facebook applications in order to attract potential boaters and outdoor enthusiasts. 5^th St. Marina hopes to attract more users with its newly completed expanded facilities, which added six deepwater berths and will allow users to obtain shipside services themselves or use existing contractors. Dahm International announced it will showcase its new superyachts at the Monaco Yacht Show in September.

Focusing on water for different purposes, The U.S. Department of Energy wants to ramp up R&D on renewable energy, namely offshore wind projects, as it strives to reach its 2030 goal of 20 percent of the country’s electricity produced by wind. The funding will also include infrastructure and energy discommendation applications. Almost in sync with the DOE, sentiments are changing along the eastern shore of the U.S. where wind turbines have sparked heated discussion, especially over whether they are eyesores. After the oil leak disaster in the Gulf, apparently people are starting to think they look kind of sexy. In other advocacy measures, former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle joined a group of wind energy leaders urging Congress to pass renewable energy legislation this summer. And Texas billionaire T. Boone Pickens was quoted as saying the U.S. is ready for the challenge if President Obama would commit to a 10-year plan to reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil, focusing on renewable energy. But people may wonder, “What’s the point?” after it was reported that Britain’s biggest wind farm companies are to be paid not to produce electricity when the wind is blowing.

All this up-in-the-air business means big business in the aerospace industry. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration announced $125 million in contracts to five companies for development and demonstration of technologies to reduce jet fuel use, emissions and noise. Bombardier unveiled a carbon fiber jet—the Learjet 85—calling it the largest, fastest Learjet ever built. And this year’s aerospace engineering conference, scheduled for November, will provide special composites sessions on fixed and rotary wings, unmanned and space vehicles, and general aviation.

Among universities, Clemson University will host the upcoming World Conference on Carbon, where scientists and engineers will discuss the element’s use in such areas as nanomaterials, fibers and composites. Texas Tech named Elizabeth Dickey as its new Engineering Dean. Her research interests include nanomaterials for electrical and sensing applications, as well as high-temperature ceramic composites. The University of Malaysia has installed an impact testing machine to further research into impact properties of advanced composites.

Good news from the infrastructure sector, as more homeowners are considering composite garage doors for a wood-like appearance without the extra maintenance. One composites consultant made the case for Copenhagen to incorporate more glass reinforced plastic windows. And on the manufacturing side, RS Technologies announced plans for a big expansion at its Tilbury facility in England while Boral US, the parent company of Boral Brick, will establish a new production division named Boral Composites.

And finally, in the recreation market an executive at Edge Composites launched a website that aims to bring the complete bicycle industry supply chain into one comprehensive database. U.S.-based Cannondale launched a new set of bicycles that replace previous aluminum shells and bonded-on chain stays with a new one-piece all-carbon fiber assembly.

Meanwhile, a German designer has developed an all-electric motorcycle with a lightweight carbon fiber body that directly integrates suspension and bearings. Formtech Composites is exploring the extensive usage of composites in Formula One and seeing how it can be used in other industries.

For daily composites updates, subscribe to CM Twitter.