Chem-Trend to expand R&D

Chem-Trend to expand R&D

BUSINESS Reinforced Plastics  Volume 60, Number 6  November/December 2016 Chem-Trend to expand R&D Chem-Trend, a manufacturer of release agents, p...

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BUSINESS

Reinforced Plastics  Volume 60, Number 6  November/December 2016

Chem-Trend to expand R&D Chem-Trend, a manufacturer of release agents, purging compounds and other ancillary molding products plans to expand R&D facilities at its global headquarters in Howell, Michigan, USA. The company says that this will ‘allow for continued growth of its research and development activities and

increased capabilities to provide customer support’. Chem-Trend’s research and development facilities will expand by approximately 50% at the facility in Howell, which is the site of to both the company’s global and North American regional headquarters. The expansion plans include an applied research laboratory,

an analytical laboratory featuring chemical analysis equipment and laboratories focused on products for the die casting, polyurethane, rubber, composites, tire, thermoplastics and wood composite industries. Completion of the project is targeted for mid-2017. Chem-Trend; www.chemtrend.com

AUS$250,000 investment in advanced composites BUSINESS

The Australian government plans to invest AUS$250,000 through the country’s Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre to develop a manufacturing hub to help develop the carbon fiber industry in Geelong, near Melbourne, Australia. The hub will cover projects including reductions in energy consumption, new pro-

ducts for automotive and defence industries, other new industrial applications for carbon fiber and improved carbon fiber recycling. Members of the Advanced Fibre Cluster include carbon fiber wheel manufacturer Carbon Revolution, CSIRO, Austeng and Quickstep. The cluster is supported by the Geelong Manufacturing Council.

The Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre is part of the Government’s US$250 million Industry Growth Centres Initiative, an industry-led approach to driving innovation, productivity and competitiveness through investing in key industry sectors. Industry Growth Centres Initiative; www.industry.gov.au

ALMACO creates wind committee The Latin American Composite Materials Association (ALMACO) has created a wind committee in order to share knowledge and open new opportunities for composite materials in the wind industry. The group will gear its activities towards the wind power market, holding presentations, technical discussions and debates at companies that manufacture wind turbine components, such as blades, spinners, and nacelles, and companies that put these components together. It includes specialists in the area of composites and representatives from universities and from the Brazilian Association of Wind Power (ABEEo´lica). ‘The activities will address many different themes, such as useful life of wind blades, how to improve rolled products, maintenance, repair work, and reverse logistics,’ said Waldomiro Moreira, coordinator of the committee.

Last year, wind power accounted for 95.6% of the demand for epoxy composites in Brazil.

Last year, wind power accounted for 95.6% of the demand for epoxy composites in Brazil – the only segment to grow during this period (+4.5%), according to ALMACO.

Some 55,000 tons of the material were consumed in the production of wind turbine components. ALMACO; www.almaco.org.br

3A Composites wins Airbus qualification 3A Composites has won qualification from Airbus for its AIREX R82.80 rigid core, which is suitable for aerospace sandwich applications due to fire resistance. According to the company, it exceeds flammability, smoke density, heat release, and toxic gas emission requirements such as FAR 25,853. ‘We are excited to continue expanding our relationship with Airbus and delivering solutions to the aerospace industry,’ said Eric Gauthier, president of global 352

3A Composites has won qualification from Airbus for its AIREX R82.80 rigid core.

key accounts at 3A Composites Core Materials.

AIREX R82 also has improved strength and stiffness to weight ratios, high impact resistance, improved dielectric properties, and very moisture absorption, 3A Composites says. It is a thermoformable core material suitable for structural applications that require lightweight, fire resistance, radar transparency or operation in hot or cold environments. 3A Composites Core Materials; www.3AComposites.com