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.

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AWEA CEO Denise Bode shares her opinions on the growing wind energy market and the role composites can play.

Denise Bode is CEO of the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA). She is a nationally recognized energy policy expert and has more than 30 years experience in the energy field, including DEO of the American Clean Skies Foundation, President of the Independent Petroleum Association of America and a tax partner in a D.C.-based law firm. Bode shares her opinions on the growing wind energy market and the role composites can play.

How has the wind industry changed over the past few years?

The American wind industry has grown rapidly in the recent past and now provides about 85,000 American jobs. The data we have from AWEA members shows they have increased domestic manufacturing twelve-fold since 2004 and invested over $1 billion in U.S. wind manufacturing facilities in the last three years.

How do you see that percentage increasing further?

Over 50 percent of the 8,000 component parts of wind turbines used in the U.S. are manufactured in the U.S., up from 25 percent a few years ago. Our goal is to increase that percentage as quickly as possible by recruiting supply chain companies from across all over the world, to build manufacturing plants in the U.S. Passing a renewable electricity standard (RES) would help persuade those companies by creating demand for wind components.

What technology has given the wind energy market the biggest boost?

There have been a series of incremental improvements in an industry where a new generation of equipment comes along every few years. One of the smaller improvements with a big effect is taller towers. Another is variable speed drives on the turbines themselves.

What’s driving that adoption?

The adoption of taller towers is driven by the realization that greater energy-capture will more than make up for the extra cost.

What do you see as the next hot topic in wind energy?

We are working closely with members of Congress to address their concerns in wind energy and to find ways to create more American jobs. Enacting legislation such as a renewable electricity standard would provide the long-term commitment American companies need to justify investment in manufacturing facilities here in the U.S. This step alone would create more than 250,000 jobs in the next 15 years.

Where do you see the most potential for composite growth within wind energy?

Along with continuous improvement in making turbine blades bigger and lighter and replacing some nacelle components, composites could be used to make tall towers. The University of Dayton Research Institute (UDRI) has recently been awarded funding to design and test structures and materials for composite wind turbine towers up to 100 meters in height.

In your opinion what would help the composites industry expand its presence in the wind energy market?

The composite industry needs substantial R&D and commercialization funding to make the U.S. wind industry technologically and financially competitive for next-generation wind turbine designs.

How many turbines were installed in the U.S. and globally this year as compared to last year and what you expect for 2010?

The U.S. wind energy industry installed over 10,000 megawatts (MW) of new wind power generating capacity in 2009, the largest year in U.S. history, and enough to power the equivalent of 2.4 million homes or generate as much electricity as three large nuclear power plants.

How does the U.S. fare in its use of renewable energy compared to other countries?

In 2009, China passed the U.S. in new installations and in manufacturing of wind turbines. The U.S. still remains the largest market in cumulative capacity for the second year in a row but here again China is hard on our heels. If this isn’t the ‘case-closed’ evidence illustrating that America must have a stable renewable energy policy and hard targets in order to create jobs and revitalize our economy, I don’t know what is. China gets it, 37 other nations get it, and we still don’t. It is time to act now on a national RES so that America can immediately create manufacturing jobs and be the world wind power leader. The economy can’t wait, job creation can’t wait, and America can’t wait.

Is offshore energy viable? If so, when will it be a reality?

As of the end of 2009, ten countries have wind projects installed offshore providing clean, renewable electricity: Belgium, China, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. These projects account for 2072 MW total offshore wind installed and grid connected.

How does the U.S. compare?

Offshore wind power is gaining momentum in the U.S. Both the federal government and several states established significant milestones in 2009 to encourage offshore wind power development. In April 2010, Secretary Salazar announced the Record of Decision for the Cape Wind project proposed in Nantucket Sound. This final approval demonstrates that the U.S. is serious about deploying offshore wind and about competing in the global race for manufacturing jobs.

However, long term stable policies at the national level are also necessary to provide the certainty necessary for project financing and U.S. manufacturing growth.

How has AWEA evolved?

Formed in 1974 and based in Washington D.C., we promote wind energy as a clean source of electricity for consumers in the U.S. and around the world. Through Congressional outreach and education, AWEA supports policies aimed at generating investment in the U.S. economy, improving U.S. energy security, and slowing climate change, including extension of the federal production tax credit (PTC) for wind energy, establishment of a national renewable electricity standard (RES), support for efforts to strengthen and expand the U.S. electric transmission system, and more.

What would you like to see happen with renewable energy in the next five years?

We’d like to see a 25 percent renewable electricity by 2025 standard, with a near-term target such as the 10 percent by 2012, which is the objective called for in the Obama-Biden New Energy for America plan. We’d also like a long-term extension on the Renewable Energy Production Tax credit to ensure policy stability. Also, legislation to develop a high-voltage interstate transmission highway system for renewable energy.

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Scottish Adventurer Jock Wishart plans a rowing expedition, using composite boats, to the North Pole.

According to the latest reports, aerospace manufacturer TenCate sales doubled in the first half of 2010.

Boeing Tianjin Composites Co Ltd. plans to double the number of its employees. The company is a joint venture between Boeing and China Aviation Industry Corp.

Bicycle manufacturer Edge Composites has changed its name to Enve Composites to avoid trademark infringement in international markets.

A former employee of Fiber Glass Systems, who filed a lawsuit claiming harassment and discrimination, was awarded a substantial judgment.

Wausaukee composites received Michigan Economic Growth Authority tax credit, effectively helping the company hire more than 100 people over the next five years.

Clipper joins Minnesota wind turbine research at the University of Minnesota.

Denmark will soon get a new wind test center, located in north-western Jutland, and will soon house seven mega wind turbines for testing purposes.

TPI Composites will open a wind blade innovation center in Massachusetts and will be the center for development of advanced blade manufacturing technology.

The new Kestrel, a compact electric vehicle, is made with a composite material made from cannabis-composite material.

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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.

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Dirk Plas – President, BYK, USA

BYK makes additives for composite applications in the construction, transportation, automotive, recreation, and wind energy markets. Applications include wind blades, fiberglass tubs, boat hulls, automotive body panels, and duroskins for fiberglass doors. The additives are designed to improve the processing or air release in spray-up and lay-up manufacturing as well as the casting process (marble, solid surface). Dirk Plas, BYK-USA president, discusses his view of the composites industry.

What markets are you more focused on?

The area we’re most focused on is anything to do with energy savings, which includes “green” and wind energy. Many customers are working actively to replace existing raw materials with more sustainable materials. There’s a lot of money being invested there. There’s a very significant focus right now on developing alternative energy technologies. There’s a high demand for green products and more money going into that area. A lot of our customers need help in making these new materials work.

What challenges do your customers have?

When formulating with green products, there are challenges with regard to compatibility. Customers are always looking for ways to reduce scrap. Anytime you make a composite, you have an air release problem. Filler materials help make composites more cost competitive, and so do the wetting and dispersing additives. These additives reduce rollout time and filler increase.

Is the “green” movement here to stay?

I think so. Green doesn’t necessarily have to be expensive. Some industries will be slow to adopt, but ultimately it’s not a fad, and it’s not going away.

What is the state of the additives industry?

Like everyone else, we suffered a decline at the end of 2008 that continued through 2009. Things have started to improve; however, the market was already competitive but has become even more so. Everyone’s looking for new business, scrambling after stimulus dollars and looking for new areas. As a result, competitors are also moving into new areas. But we’re also doing the same thing. We’re not seeing a lot of consolidation, but rather more people coming into the market.

How has the market changed in the past decade?

The market for additives in composites isn’t an old market, so we’ve seen a lot of growth. New technologies are being developed and it’s still a growing market. Our company in particular started focusing on the composites industry about 20 years ago, and we began seeing strong market pickup.

Perhaps the biggest difference is that now, we get more demands or requests for composites that are highly flame-retardant because reduced emissions of the actual composite are a more important factor. In any industry, everything focuses on low VOCs. Personal safety for the workers, the people who work in manufacturing, is always important. Nanoadditives have also come on strongly in the last three to four years in the composites market. There have been a lot of government regulations, particularly in regard to styrene. ACMA has been an active voice in regard to styrene regulation.

How do you see the styrene issue playing out?

I speculate we have reached the minimum amount of styrene that we can work with. I don’t think those can go much lower. There are trends in development that are styrene-free, but I don’t think the government will push much for us to reduce styrene content. Styrene is an integral part of the polyester, which is responsible for cross-linking in chemical processes. It has over 50 years of historical use in these types of composites. It will be difficult, if not impossible, to take them out in the next few years. Alternatives to styrene do not offer same type of historical use or consistency in use. Partial replacements could occur in the near future, but we’re talking about a very long time to make a total replacement.

How will the composites industry change in the next five years?

I think lower densities and lighter weight composites will be a trend for all applications. Everyone’s always looking for stronger composites, so that will be a trend. Renewable resources will continue to grow. You’ll also see an increase in coupling agents that will increase the physical properties of composites. Nanoadditives will emerge more and more for certain applications such as antimicrobial tendencies.

In aviation, there’s a big push for carbon fiber. It’s a little bit of a fragmented, niche application market, so it’s hard for us to focus on that market. We want to though, because we believe it’s an area where composites is going to grow. Technology in aviation sometimes transfers to automotive, so we’ll see a trend in that direction.

From your viewpoint, how can composites grow?

There needs to be more applications away from steel, aluminum, and wood. The standard approach composites has had for years is converting applications, but there needs to be more of a focus on day-to-day growth. That approach has picked up in the construction market and has helped reinvigorate the infrastructure market. Those two areas have strong immediate and long-term growth opportunities.

What segments have been hit hardest?

The recreation market was down almost 80 percent in 2009. It has recouped a little bit since then, but it’ll be a long-term process to get back to where it used to be. A lot of baby boomers are coming onto the market, and they may be interested in RVs, so that might drive growth a bit. Concerning boats, manufacturers have had success with making boat hulls from composites. You can see a conversion to infusion-molding and vacuum bag from spray-up and lay-up. I think companies that make RV parts can diversify by integrating their parts into construction or fire-retardant panels.

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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.

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Norweigen-based SWAY is one of several company's developing floating wind turbines

Headline news for the past few months has been filled with oil, BP and the phrase “has to be a better way.” Those in the renewable energy sector hope that one positive can come of these events: energy reform. The window of opportunity is wide open to composites manufacturers.

Strong ocean breezes offer one of the best options for generating power from wind. Not to mention the fact that in the U.S. alone, the largest concentration of people is located within the northeast corridor. In other words, people tend to cluster along coastlines. “Approximately 55 million people live, work and burn through high energy bills, all while untapped potential lies nearby,” says Jim Stover, vice president of global marketing and product management at renewable energy firm Northern Power Systems.

Yet people still argue that building an offshore turbine and anchoring it to the seafloor is time consuming and expensive. As a result, so far wind power has been restricted to shallow waters, leaving behind shallow or empty promises. The U.S. has a goal of generating 20 percent of the nation’s electricity from wind energy by the year 2030. This includes not only land turbines but offshore ones as well. Currently the U.S. has several proposed offshore projects, mostly within the Northeast, but zero installed. “While a global agreement addressing climate change is a tremendous challenge, we hope more individuals will begin to recognize the value of acting locally. Also, hopefully more countries will understand the competitive advantage of developing more advanced renewable energy technologies,” says Stover.

But a group of Naval architects hopes to change that with further proof that offshore turbines are worth the investment. In the Journal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy, the group reports that wave tank testing data shows that floating platforms (similar to deepwater oil platforms) can support turbines up to 5 megawatts (MW). That’s pretty impressive considering 5 MW turbines have blades the size of a football field. And, according to Stover, “advances in composites may enable replacement of traditional steel and cast iron turbine components at a lower cost and weight,” he says.

While the malfunction of a turbine wouldn’t be ideal, especially in turbulent waters, a broken turbine would simply sink to the ocean floor instead of leaving lumpy, black surprises for beachgoers and wildlife alike. “Wind turbines are tremendously complicated electromechanical machines that are exposed to both extreme and fatigue loads based on the variability of wind conditions. The ability to more accurately model the impact of composites on structural integrity of wind turbines will be important to reducing cost, while maintaining high reliability and design life for future turbines,” states Stover.

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.

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The automotive industry is flying high as well. Terrafugia was granted a weight exemption by the FAA for its roadable aircraft. Its takeoff weight is 1,430 pounds, or 110 pounds above the typical limit for light sport aircraft. BMW not only released carbon fiber components for its M3 line, but also unveiled a model of its new carbon fiber electric car to journalists in Germany. The electric car wars could prove to be interesting, as composite models will compete with aluminum models like Tesla, which went public this week. Meanwhile, Plasan Carbon Composites could play a strong role in its region’s economic growth.

Turning to recreation, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Felt Bicycles announced a voluntary recall on some of Felt’s bikes. The company has reported several cases of its carbon steer tube breaking. In more positive news, wood composites are being touted as a safer construction option for sandboxes. Ducati is implementing more carbon fiber in its Ducati’s Desmosedici RR motorcycle – including in the wheels, discs and frame. Prodrive, a motorsport company, seeks to implement racecar composites technology into offshore applications such as crude-oil filters.

Staying offshore with renewable energy, the Department of Energy confirmed it is committing $20 million to further the development of deepwater offshore wind energy development. Michigan-based Energetx Composites was awarded $3.5 million to manufacture large scale composite turbines as part of the state’s overall Clean Energy Advanced Manufacturing program grants. The University of Houston was awarded a $2.3 million research grant to build a testing facility for offshore wind turbine materials and components. General Electric has plans to install four 4-megawatt wind turbines off the coast of Norway and Sweden as part of its $450 million investment in Europe. A U.S.-based company, marine Innovation & Technology, proposed an offshore wind turbine platform design based on existing gas and oil platforms.

In other marine developments, Pursuit Boats introduced a new 26-foot dual console boat called the DC 260. Boston Whaler prepares to launch the latest 345 Conquest Open, an offshore fishing and cabin cruiser with an open cockpit design, as part of the 2011 lineup. And New Jersey-based Viking sport Cruisers announced it will adopt the Princess brand name, after 15 years of collaboration.

Finally, infrastructure is expected to play a large role in Asia doubling its composite production by 2015. Elsewhere in the sector, LCOA Composites and Hertel have partnered to develop a new rapid deployable shelter system. Marshall Composites will open a plant in Salem, Oregon to manufacture composite re-bars for bridges. Housing opportunities may take a hit, however, as a record low number of people signed contracts to buy homes in May.