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Elsevier launches composites database
Reinforced Plastics Volume 59, Number 3 May/June 2015
BUSINESS
Ahlstrom reports potential lay-offs at Finland plant Ahlstrom says that it may lay off a maximum of 20 people at its Karhula plant in Finland. The company says that this is prompted by weakened demand for building materials. Ahlstrom plans to start co-operation negotiations with employees at the plant,
with the aim of adjusting the company’s production capacity and costs. The negotiations will affect the blue-collar employees, who make up more than half of the 80 staff. The Karhula plant is part of Ahlstrom’s building and energy business area and
produces glass fiber tissue used in building materials such as flooring applications. The negotiations are expected to be completed by the end of March 2015. Ahlstrom; www.ahlstrom.com
However, some 90% of respondents believe that the economic situation will be the same or even better in the relevant regions (i.e. Germany, Europe and worldwide) over the next six months. Nearly 30% of respondents reported that they are planning to recruit new staff in 2015, compared with only 10% who are planning to downsize their workforce. Nearly two third of respondents are hoping to make investments this year.
future growth drivers they perceived on the material side, nearly half of all respondents specified CFP. The regional drivers in this segment are seen to be Germany and Asia. For the first time the survey also covered the respondents’ assessment concerning future developments in different areas of application. The automotive and aviation industries are apparently expected by the composites industry to display the most positive development, followed by wind energy. The next issue of the Composites Market Survey will be published in July 2015. Composites Germany; www.compositesgermany.org
Composites Germany has published its most recent report on current and future developments in composites. This follows a monthly member survey conducted by AVK, CFK Valley, CCeV and VDMA. Following trends in previous surveys, the current economic situation is seen as positive by the respondents. However, whereas in the last survey nearly 90% viewed the economic situation as ‘quite positive’ or ‘very positive’, this share has gone down to just over two thirds of all respondents. The situation is seen as particularly critical in Europe, whereas it is generally rated as better for Germany and on a global scale.
Growth drivers The main impetus for growth in this survey is believed to come from carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFP). When asked which
Elsevier launches composites database Elsevier, the publisher of Reinforced Plastics, has launched the Knovel Polymer Matrix Composites Database. The database is an interactive compilation of composite tensile, shear, flexural, compressive and impact properties data for engineers involved in the component design process. Content within the database has been sourced from multiple providers and has been curated by subject matter experts. Organized into multiple tables, the Knovel Polymer Matrix Composites Database includes mechanical, thermophysical and processing properties data, along with relevant application information and safety data. It currently includes more than
1,700 records on more than 100 laminate precursors in cured and uncured states, including matrix resins and fiber reinforcement data.
Improving material performance The new database is intended to help companies replace existing materials or select new composites during the engineering research and design process, and help engineering teams increase efficiency in the early materials selection stage. It could also help lower costs of testing and maintenance, and ultimately improve material performance. ‘Materials selection has a significant impact in the engineering design process,’ said
Sasha Gurke, Elsevier’s engineering fellow & co-founder-Knovel. ‘With the Knovel Polymer Matrix Composites Database, engineers can access the most relevant materials data and help their teams save time, reduce development cost and improve the performance of parts made from composites. Its interactive capabilities empower engineers to confidently identify composites that can perform within the design-allowable parameters for their particular application.’ Knovel is a company acquired by Elsevier in 2013 which provides online library focused on engineering topics. Elsevier; www.elsevier.com
117
BUSINESS
Composite market survey: the results
BUSINESS
Ahlstrom reports potential lay-offs at Finland plant Ahlstrom says that it may lay off a maximum of 20 people at its Karhula plant in Finland. The company says that this is prompted by weakened demand for building materials. Ahlstrom plans to start co-operation negotiations with employees at the plant,
with the aim of adjusting the company’s production capacity and costs. The negotiations will affect the blue-collar employees, who make up more than half of the 80 staff. The Karhula plant is part of Ahlstrom’s building and energy business area and
produces glass fiber tissue used in building materials such as flooring applications. The negotiations are expected to be completed by the end of March 2015. Ahlstrom; www.ahlstrom.com
However, some 90% of respondents believe that the economic situation will be the same or even better in the relevant regions (i.e. Germany, Europe and worldwide) over the next six months. Nearly 30% of respondents reported that they are planning to recruit new staff in 2015, compared with only 10% who are planning to downsize their workforce. Nearly two third of respondents are hoping to make investments this year.
future growth drivers they perceived on the material side, nearly half of all respondents specified CFP. The regional drivers in this segment are seen to be Germany and Asia. For the first time the survey also covered the respondents’ assessment concerning future developments in different areas of application. The automotive and aviation industries are apparently expected by the composites industry to display the most positive development, followed by wind energy. The next issue of the Composites Market Survey will be published in July 2015. Composites Germany; www.compositesgermany.org
Composites Germany has published its most recent report on current and future developments in composites. This follows a monthly member survey conducted by AVK, CFK Valley, CCeV and VDMA. Following trends in previous surveys, the current economic situation is seen as positive by the respondents. However, whereas in the last survey nearly 90% viewed the economic situation as ‘quite positive’ or ‘very positive’, this share has gone down to just over two thirds of all respondents. The situation is seen as particularly critical in Europe, whereas it is generally rated as better for Germany and on a global scale.
Growth drivers The main impetus for growth in this survey is believed to come from carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFP). When asked which
Elsevier launches composites database Elsevier, the publisher of Reinforced Plastics, has launched the Knovel Polymer Matrix Composites Database. The database is an interactive compilation of composite tensile, shear, flexural, compressive and impact properties data for engineers involved in the component design process. Content within the database has been sourced from multiple providers and has been curated by subject matter experts. Organized into multiple tables, the Knovel Polymer Matrix Composites Database includes mechanical, thermophysical and processing properties data, along with relevant application information and safety data. It currently includes more than
1,700 records on more than 100 laminate precursors in cured and uncured states, including matrix resins and fiber reinforcement data.
Improving material performance The new database is intended to help companies replace existing materials or select new composites during the engineering research and design process, and help engineering teams increase efficiency in the early materials selection stage. It could also help lower costs of testing and maintenance, and ultimately improve material performance. ‘Materials selection has a significant impact in the engineering design process,’ said
Sasha Gurke, Elsevier’s engineering fellow & co-founder-Knovel. ‘With the Knovel Polymer Matrix Composites Database, engineers can access the most relevant materials data and help their teams save time, reduce development cost and improve the performance of parts made from composites. Its interactive capabilities empower engineers to confidently identify composites that can perform within the design-allowable parameters for their particular application.’ Knovel is a company acquired by Elsevier in 2013 which provides online library focused on engineering topics. Elsevier; www.elsevier.com
117
BUSINESS
Composite market survey: the results