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Automotive focus drives RP Asia 2004
Automotive focus drives RP Asia 2004 Reinforced Plastics’ RP Asia events offer a route to the composites market in Asia, which now accounts for around 30% of the global composites market. Amanda Jacob reports from Bangkok.
R
P Asia 2004 on 1-2 September proved to be the best event in the RP Asia series to date, attracting around 1200 participants from all over the world. Visitors kept the exhibition busy throughout the two days, and exhibitors were delighted with the quality of the business contacts they made. The Thai Minister for Industry, Mr Phinij Jarusombat, officially opened the event on 1 September. Over 100 conference delegates heard about the latest developments in composites technologies from around the world. These ranged from carbon fibre toilet seats (made by Cobra International) and gear cases for Indian trains (Permali Wallace Ltd), to the use of composites in boatbuilding (DIAB), civil infrastructure (University of California San Diego) and corrosion resistant equipment (Dow Chemical). A range of manufacturing techniques were also discussed, included closed moulding
(Plastech TT), filament winding (GSG Inc), vacuum bagging (Airtech), and spray-up (Hawk Mountain Thailand Co Ltd). But the programme kicked off with a look at automotive applications.
Automotive focus Opening up the conference, Bijoy Mohan, Application Development Manager, Owens Corning, Shanghai, highlighted the potential for the automotive composites market. Owens Corning estimates that around 30% of global composites use is accounted for by the automotive industry. The Asia Pacific region accounts for around 29% of this, slightly below that of Europe (34%) and the Americas (37%). Mohan quoted figures of 15 kg of composites per vehicle today, but a potential of 60 kg per vehicle if all proven applications were used on every car. And why not even higher?, he asked.
The features of composites are proven: weight reduction; corrosion resistance; design flexibility; parts consolidation; and acoustic performance. And the time is right, says Mohan, as industry drivers – such as decrease in volume per model, increase in vehicle options, demand for quieter vehicles, tighter environmental regulations and increased energy costs – make composites much more attractive. But the key to future growth is system cost,
2005 call for papers The two-day conference at RP Asia 2005 will address the latest business and technology issues facing the composites industry, and we are now inviting presentations for the programme. Papers on the following topics would be particularly welcome: • the current status and future prospects for the composites industry worldwide; • current and future applications; • new materials, and developments in processing technologies; and • global challenges. If you are interested in taking part in the conference please send us an abstract of your proposed presentation (up to 300 words in length, in English) by 21 January 2005. Please send your abstracts by fax or e-mail to: Amanda Jacob, Editor, Reinforced Plastics; fax: +44-1865-843971; e-mail: [email protected]; or
Bangkok proved a popular venue for RP Asia 2004.
26
REINFORCEDplastics
November 2004
Nick Williams, Conference Programme Manager, Inovar Event Management; fax: +44-870-138-9539; e-mail: [email protected].
0034-3617/04 ©2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Automotive focus drives RP Asia 2004
Marine 9% Electronic 10%
Automotive 30%
Transportation 12%
Infrastructure 16%
Global composites use by market. (Source: Owens Corning.)
Average use of SMC/BMC per truck cabin. (Source: DSM Composite Resins.)
as one quote from the automotive value chain confirms: “If you have a performance advantage in material, that’s great, but it needs to have competitive cost or else you’re not going to sell it.” Mohan’s presentation was followed by Hermann Seibert of Röhm GmbH & Co, who presented a case study showing the production of a high quality car bonnet made from a composite sandwich structure. This involved the Quickstep Process developed in Australia, which is reported to offer manufacturers the benefits of reduced capital investment, cycles times and tooling costs. A high productivity combined with functional integration and reduced system costs are the main advantages of long fibre thermoplastics (LFTs), explained Dr Frank Henning of Dieffenbacher GmbH & Co KG. And this is why LFTs are showing annual growth rates of 8% a year. Henning presented an overview of long fibre
thermoplastics for automotive applications, and in particular the ‘direct’ LFT (LFT-D) in-line compounding (ILC) processes developed by Dieffenbacher (see table below). Henning says this process is now established in Europe and is about to penetrate the US market. Li Guangyu of DSM Composite Resins reviewed the use of sheet moulding compound (SMC) in the automotive industry. After looking at examples in passenger vehicles, he pointed out the large market in truck body panels (see bar chart above), while consultant Vince Kelly rounded off the automotive session with a look at carbon fibre and its automotive applications. For those of you who were not able to attend RP Asia 2004, copies of the conference proceedings are available on CD to buy. Please contact Helena Bartosinska for details; fax: +44-1865-843971; e-mail: h.bartosinska@elsevier. com.
Materials and processes for the manufacturing of LFT parts. Raw materials
Semi-finished products
Machine technology for component production
Glass mat thermoplastics (GMT)
GMT oven and press
Polymers Additives
LFT-Granules
Single-screw plasticizer and press Injection moulding machine
Fibers
LFT-D extruder and press Plastic compound
LFT-D injection moulding machine LFT-D-ILC extruder system and press
(Source: Dieffenbacher.)
Consumer 23%
RP Asia 2005 Following the resounding success of RP Asia 2004, we have decided to run the event again next year. RP Asia 2005 will take place on 2526 August. It has again been scheduled for the week before the China Composites Expo (Guangzhou, 1-3 September 2005), so that international exhibitors and visitors can take in the two shows during their visit to Asia. The venue for RP Asia 2005 will be the same as this year – the Shangri-La Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand. For further information please contact the RP Asia 2005 team: Exhibition/sponsorship enquiries Mark Sherman Tel: +44-(0)1865-843208 Fax: +44-(0)1865-843973 E-mail: [email protected] Conference enquiries Amanda Jacob Tel: +44-(0)1865-843638 Fax: +44-(0)1865-843971 E-mail: [email protected] Nick Williams Tel: +44-(0)1743-241289 Fax: +44-(0)870-138-9539 E-mail: [email protected] Marketing enquiries Helena Bartosinska Tel: +44-(0)1865-843821 Fax: +44-(0)1865-843971 E-mail: [email protected] Further details will also be available on the website www.rpasia.com soon. ■
November 2004
REINFORCEDplastics
27
R
P Asia 2004 on 1-2 September proved to be the best event in the RP Asia series to date, attracting around 1200 participants from all over the world. Visitors kept the exhibition busy throughout the two days, and exhibitors were delighted with the quality of the business contacts they made. The Thai Minister for Industry, Mr Phinij Jarusombat, officially opened the event on 1 September. Over 100 conference delegates heard about the latest developments in composites technologies from around the world. These ranged from carbon fibre toilet seats (made by Cobra International) and gear cases for Indian trains (Permali Wallace Ltd), to the use of composites in boatbuilding (DIAB), civil infrastructure (University of California San Diego) and corrosion resistant equipment (Dow Chemical). A range of manufacturing techniques were also discussed, included closed moulding
(Plastech TT), filament winding (GSG Inc), vacuum bagging (Airtech), and spray-up (Hawk Mountain Thailand Co Ltd). But the programme kicked off with a look at automotive applications.
Automotive focus Opening up the conference, Bijoy Mohan, Application Development Manager, Owens Corning, Shanghai, highlighted the potential for the automotive composites market. Owens Corning estimates that around 30% of global composites use is accounted for by the automotive industry. The Asia Pacific region accounts for around 29% of this, slightly below that of Europe (34%) and the Americas (37%). Mohan quoted figures of 15 kg of composites per vehicle today, but a potential of 60 kg per vehicle if all proven applications were used on every car. And why not even higher?, he asked.
The features of composites are proven: weight reduction; corrosion resistance; design flexibility; parts consolidation; and acoustic performance. And the time is right, says Mohan, as industry drivers – such as decrease in volume per model, increase in vehicle options, demand for quieter vehicles, tighter environmental regulations and increased energy costs – make composites much more attractive. But the key to future growth is system cost,
2005 call for papers The two-day conference at RP Asia 2005 will address the latest business and technology issues facing the composites industry, and we are now inviting presentations for the programme. Papers on the following topics would be particularly welcome: • the current status and future prospects for the composites industry worldwide; • current and future applications; • new materials, and developments in processing technologies; and • global challenges. If you are interested in taking part in the conference please send us an abstract of your proposed presentation (up to 300 words in length, in English) by 21 January 2005. Please send your abstracts by fax or e-mail to: Amanda Jacob, Editor, Reinforced Plastics; fax: +44-1865-843971; e-mail: [email protected]; or
Bangkok proved a popular venue for RP Asia 2004.
26
REINFORCEDplastics
November 2004
Nick Williams, Conference Programme Manager, Inovar Event Management; fax: +44-870-138-9539; e-mail: [email protected].
0034-3617/04 ©2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Automotive focus drives RP Asia 2004
Marine 9% Electronic 10%
Automotive 30%
Transportation 12%
Infrastructure 16%
Global composites use by market. (Source: Owens Corning.)
Average use of SMC/BMC per truck cabin. (Source: DSM Composite Resins.)
as one quote from the automotive value chain confirms: “If you have a performance advantage in material, that’s great, but it needs to have competitive cost or else you’re not going to sell it.” Mohan’s presentation was followed by Hermann Seibert of Röhm GmbH & Co, who presented a case study showing the production of a high quality car bonnet made from a composite sandwich structure. This involved the Quickstep Process developed in Australia, which is reported to offer manufacturers the benefits of reduced capital investment, cycles times and tooling costs. A high productivity combined with functional integration and reduced system costs are the main advantages of long fibre thermoplastics (LFTs), explained Dr Frank Henning of Dieffenbacher GmbH & Co KG. And this is why LFTs are showing annual growth rates of 8% a year. Henning presented an overview of long fibre
thermoplastics for automotive applications, and in particular the ‘direct’ LFT (LFT-D) in-line compounding (ILC) processes developed by Dieffenbacher (see table below). Henning says this process is now established in Europe and is about to penetrate the US market. Li Guangyu of DSM Composite Resins reviewed the use of sheet moulding compound (SMC) in the automotive industry. After looking at examples in passenger vehicles, he pointed out the large market in truck body panels (see bar chart above), while consultant Vince Kelly rounded off the automotive session with a look at carbon fibre and its automotive applications. For those of you who were not able to attend RP Asia 2004, copies of the conference proceedings are available on CD to buy. Please contact Helena Bartosinska for details; fax: +44-1865-843971; e-mail: h.bartosinska@elsevier. com.
Materials and processes for the manufacturing of LFT parts. Raw materials
Semi-finished products
Machine technology for component production
Glass mat thermoplastics (GMT)
GMT oven and press
Polymers Additives
LFT-Granules
Single-screw plasticizer and press Injection moulding machine
Fibers
LFT-D extruder and press Plastic compound
LFT-D injection moulding machine LFT-D-ILC extruder system and press
(Source: Dieffenbacher.)
Consumer 23%
RP Asia 2005 Following the resounding success of RP Asia 2004, we have decided to run the event again next year. RP Asia 2005 will take place on 2526 August. It has again been scheduled for the week before the China Composites Expo (Guangzhou, 1-3 September 2005), so that international exhibitors and visitors can take in the two shows during their visit to Asia. The venue for RP Asia 2005 will be the same as this year – the Shangri-La Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand. For further information please contact the RP Asia 2005 team: Exhibition/sponsorship enquiries Mark Sherman Tel: +44-(0)1865-843208 Fax: +44-(0)1865-843973 E-mail: [email protected] Conference enquiries Amanda Jacob Tel: +44-(0)1865-843638 Fax: +44-(0)1865-843971 E-mail: [email protected] Nick Williams Tel: +44-(0)1743-241289 Fax: +44-(0)870-138-9539 E-mail: [email protected] Marketing enquiries Helena Bartosinska Tel: +44-(0)1865-843821 Fax: +44-(0)1865-843971 E-mail: [email protected] Further details will also be available on the website www.rpasia.com soon. ■
November 2004
REINFORCEDplastics
27