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LM Glasfiber's sales rise in 2006
Industry news
Saudi firm builds glass fibre plant
In brief This year’s JEC Composites Show, 3-5 April in Paris, attracted 27 336 visitors, an increase of 7.2% over 2006. The dates for next year’s exhibition are 1-3 April (www. jeccomposites.com). LM Glasfiber (www. lmglasfiber.com) has opened a new research and development centre in Bangalore, India. The centre will specialise in the fields of finite element method (FEM), computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and computer-aided design (CAD). SAERTEX GmbH & Co KG (www.saertex.com) has increased production and storage space by 8500 m2 at its headquarters in Saerbeck, Germany. The expansion brings its total workspace to 33 500 m2 for the production of non-crimp fabrics, used in the aircraft, automotive, marine, wind energy and construction industries. FormaShape (www. formashape.com), a designer and manufacturer of FRP for architectural fascia products based in Kelowna, Canada, has received the Innovative Organisation of the Year award from the Okanagan Science & Technology Council (OSTEC) (www.ostec.ca). Thermoplastic composite processing specialist American Matrix Corp (www.americanmatrixcorp. com) has received AS9100 and ISO 13485 registration, as well as ISO 9001:2000. AS9100 is the aerospace standard of the International ISO 9000 while ISO 13485 is the medical device standard.
8
REINFORCEDplastics
SAUDI company S&A Abahsain Co Ltd is constructing a glass fibre manufacturing plant at the Bahrain International Investment Park. Abahsain Fiberglass ME WLL will have an annual capacity of 40 00060 000 tonnes and will produce ECR glass. The factory will be operated as a joint venture with US company Glass Strand Inc, a supplier of technology and equipment to the glass industry. The initial design is for two furnaces. The first of these is expected to start production by the end of 2007. Products will include direct and assembled rovings, chopped strand mat and woven fabrics. Part of this production will be used for captive consumption,
part for downstream products, and the rest will be supplied to the market in the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Countries) region (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates). The company is also looking at the possibility of exporting to markets in North America, Europe and the Far East. “The strong demand for fibreglass, expanding building activities in this region and possibilities for integration into glass reinforced composites played an important role in our decision to start production of fibreglass,” says Karel Verdegaal, director of sales and marketing. “Our strategic location, near the port of Bahrain,
LM Glasfiber's sales rise in 2006 WIND TURBINE blade manufacturer LM Glasfiber has reported a sales increase of 43% in 2006. Sales were DKK3539 million in 2006 up from DKK2469 million in 2005. Operating profit was DKK 401 million. The company has attributed the sales increase to strong global demand for wind power, geographical positioning in the key growth markets for wind power and a broadening of its customer base. For 2007, Denmark-based LM Glasfiber forecasts sales growth of at least 25%, based on continued capacity expansion in China, India and Spain, amongst other things. “We are at a unique moment in time when we are starting to realise the urgency of reducing our independence on coal, oil and
May 2007
gas,” comments Roland Sundén, CEO of LM Glasfiber. “And there is no doubt that wind power will become an increasingly important component of the overall energy mix in many countries.” “In 2006 we have responded by expanding our global manufacturing capacity and welcoming more than 1000 new colleagues,” Sundén adds. “We have opened a new wind tunnel to further reduce the cost of wind energy by driving innovation in rotor blade aerodynamics. During the first six months of wind tunnel testing in 2006, we have documented a potential for efficiency improvements of more than 5%.” LM Glasfiber; www.lmglasfiber.com
guarantees reliable and quick delivery,” he continues. “This is a big advantage for our GCC customers, who now receive the product from distant locations, such as China.” According to S&A Abahsain director S.K. Maqsood, the company’s next step will be to go into downstream manufacturing, such as the making of pultruded products. He says that this will be accomplished working with partners from the GCC. S&A Abahsain is ranked as one of the top 50 companies in Saudi Arabia and is active in a variety of industries. Abahsain Fiberglass; e-mail: [email protected]; www.abahsain.net
OC receives environment award OWENS CORNING (OC) of Toledo, Ohio, has been awarded a Clean Industry Certification for its operations in Mexico. The distinction is awarded to participants of a volunteer environmental programme promoted by PROFEPA, Mexico’s administrative agency for environmental protection and regulation. For the award, a thirdparty environmental company performed an audit, evaluating OC on its environmental risk, health, soil, sub-soil, solid waste, water and wastewater control and practices. Owens Corning; www.owenscorning.com
Saudi firm builds glass fibre plant
In brief This year’s JEC Composites Show, 3-5 April in Paris, attracted 27 336 visitors, an increase of 7.2% over 2006. The dates for next year’s exhibition are 1-3 April (www. jeccomposites.com). LM Glasfiber (www. lmglasfiber.com) has opened a new research and development centre in Bangalore, India. The centre will specialise in the fields of finite element method (FEM), computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and computer-aided design (CAD). SAERTEX GmbH & Co KG (www.saertex.com) has increased production and storage space by 8500 m2 at its headquarters in Saerbeck, Germany. The expansion brings its total workspace to 33 500 m2 for the production of non-crimp fabrics, used in the aircraft, automotive, marine, wind energy and construction industries. FormaShape (www. formashape.com), a designer and manufacturer of FRP for architectural fascia products based in Kelowna, Canada, has received the Innovative Organisation of the Year award from the Okanagan Science & Technology Council (OSTEC) (www.ostec.ca). Thermoplastic composite processing specialist American Matrix Corp (www.americanmatrixcorp. com) has received AS9100 and ISO 13485 registration, as well as ISO 9001:2000. AS9100 is the aerospace standard of the International ISO 9000 while ISO 13485 is the medical device standard.
8
REINFORCEDplastics
SAUDI company S&A Abahsain Co Ltd is constructing a glass fibre manufacturing plant at the Bahrain International Investment Park. Abahsain Fiberglass ME WLL will have an annual capacity of 40 00060 000 tonnes and will produce ECR glass. The factory will be operated as a joint venture with US company Glass Strand Inc, a supplier of technology and equipment to the glass industry. The initial design is for two furnaces. The first of these is expected to start production by the end of 2007. Products will include direct and assembled rovings, chopped strand mat and woven fabrics. Part of this production will be used for captive consumption,
part for downstream products, and the rest will be supplied to the market in the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Countries) region (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates). The company is also looking at the possibility of exporting to markets in North America, Europe and the Far East. “The strong demand for fibreglass, expanding building activities in this region and possibilities for integration into glass reinforced composites played an important role in our decision to start production of fibreglass,” says Karel Verdegaal, director of sales and marketing. “Our strategic location, near the port of Bahrain,
LM Glasfiber's sales rise in 2006 WIND TURBINE blade manufacturer LM Glasfiber has reported a sales increase of 43% in 2006. Sales were DKK3539 million in 2006 up from DKK2469 million in 2005. Operating profit was DKK 401 million. The company has attributed the sales increase to strong global demand for wind power, geographical positioning in the key growth markets for wind power and a broadening of its customer base. For 2007, Denmark-based LM Glasfiber forecasts sales growth of at least 25%, based on continued capacity expansion in China, India and Spain, amongst other things. “We are at a unique moment in time when we are starting to realise the urgency of reducing our independence on coal, oil and
May 2007
gas,” comments Roland Sundén, CEO of LM Glasfiber. “And there is no doubt that wind power will become an increasingly important component of the overall energy mix in many countries.” “In 2006 we have responded by expanding our global manufacturing capacity and welcoming more than 1000 new colleagues,” Sundén adds. “We have opened a new wind tunnel to further reduce the cost of wind energy by driving innovation in rotor blade aerodynamics. During the first six months of wind tunnel testing in 2006, we have documented a potential for efficiency improvements of more than 5%.” LM Glasfiber; www.lmglasfiber.com
guarantees reliable and quick delivery,” he continues. “This is a big advantage for our GCC customers, who now receive the product from distant locations, such as China.” According to S&A Abahsain director S.K. Maqsood, the company’s next step will be to go into downstream manufacturing, such as the making of pultruded products. He says that this will be accomplished working with partners from the GCC. S&A Abahsain is ranked as one of the top 50 companies in Saudi Arabia and is active in a variety of industries. Abahsain Fiberglass; e-mail: [email protected]; www.abahsain.net
OC receives environment award OWENS CORNING (OC) of Toledo, Ohio, has been awarded a Clean Industry Certification for its operations in Mexico. The distinction is awarded to participants of a volunteer environmental programme promoted by PROFEPA, Mexico’s administrative agency for environmental protection and regulation. For the award, a thirdparty environmental company performed an audit, evaluating OC on its environmental risk, health, soil, sub-soil, solid waste, water and wastewater control and practices. Owens Corning; www.owenscorning.com