- Email: [email protected]
NovaScott gains Gamesa approval
BUSINESS
from Austria/Switzerland. The strongest growth continues to be found in Germany (3.8%) and Eastern Europe (3.6%). According to the Turkish composites Association TCMA, the sector is expected to grow by 5% in 2016.
Other composite materials
BUSINESS
GRP remains by far the largest group of materials in the composites industry. Glass fibers are used for reinforcement in over 95% of the total volume of composites (short and long fibers, rovings, mats, . . .). Of the 8.8 million tonnes of composites manufactured globally in 2014 (Source: JEC Composites), 2.3 million tonnes were glass fiber reinforced plastics produced in Europe. Of these, the GRP market accounted for 1.04 million tonnes and short fiber reinforced thermoplastics for the remaining 1.25 million tonnes in 2014. Worldwide demand for carbon fiber
Reinforced Plastics Volume 61, Number 2 March/April 2017
reinforced plastics (CRP) is estimated at 100,000 tonnes in 2016.
Outlook Often classified as lightweight materials used primarily in the automotive and aerospace industries, existing applications for GRP are frequently overlooked. Yet these ‘‘materials of the future’’ serve real, existing markets and many of them have been used in a broad range of established applications for decades. Naturally, research projects into further series applications are very welcome indeed. However, it is important not to overlook the potential and opportunities in other new and existing markets. Not only are we observing improvements in materials but above all the adoption of new processing methods. ‘‘Established’’ processes are also continuously being refined and adapted. The ongoing optimisation of RTM processes and meeting the future chal-
lenges of integrated production technologies continue to be important themes. Automation thus continues to be one of the most important issues. The trend towards creating and refining multi-material systems and the use of hybrid components will remain one of the key challenges. Hybrid and corresponding multi-material systems are the future of lightweight design. Other factors will determine whether or how composites will be adopted in further sectors. For example, standards and regulations are often the keys to opening or closing doors of opportunity in the construction/infrastructure sector. Composites are not only a reliable partner but a hope for the future in the area of materials. In combination with other materials, they often open up completely new horizons. Composites Germany; www.composites-germany.org
NovaScott gains Gamesa approval NovaScott, a materials producer for composites, has become the first local supplier to gain full approval from Gamesa to supply gelcoat for the production of all nacelles manufactured for the company in Brazil. Since starting production in Brazil back in 2011, Gamesa has successfully developed a strong position in the rapidly growing Brazilian wind power market, winning significant new contacts in 2015 for its 2.1MW wind turbines. NovaScott (NovaScott Especialidades Quimicas Limitada) has had a presence in the growing composites market in Brazil since its creation as a 50:50 joint venture between Scott Bader and Orbis Group at the end of 2013. All NovaScott gelcoats are manufactured at the Novapol production facilities in Serra, and supplied to the Brazilian composites market, as well as to customers throughout South America. NovaScott also distribute resins, tooling products and structural adhesives imported from Scott Bader. ‘We are really delighted and proud to have achieved this challenging approval
Gamesa has successfully developed a strong position in the rapidly growing Brazilian wind power market.
from Gamesa,’ said Juan Felipe Ruiz Zuluaga, general manager of NovaScott. ‘We look forward to providing Gamesa with
a secure local supply of high quality gelcoat for nacelle production in Brazil.’ NovaScott; www.novascott.com.br
Solvay sells formulated resins business Solvay has agreed to sell its Formulated Resins business to polymer and resin supplier Elantas PDG Inc. Under the
74
agreement, Solvay’s technology solutions business unit will divest the business line, which generated sales of US$20 million
in 2015. The divestment includes the formulated resins product portfolio, the manufacturing and R&D facility based in
from Austria/Switzerland. The strongest growth continues to be found in Germany (3.8%) and Eastern Europe (3.6%). According to the Turkish composites Association TCMA, the sector is expected to grow by 5% in 2016.
Other composite materials
BUSINESS
GRP remains by far the largest group of materials in the composites industry. Glass fibers are used for reinforcement in over 95% of the total volume of composites (short and long fibers, rovings, mats, . . .). Of the 8.8 million tonnes of composites manufactured globally in 2014 (Source: JEC Composites), 2.3 million tonnes were glass fiber reinforced plastics produced in Europe. Of these, the GRP market accounted for 1.04 million tonnes and short fiber reinforced thermoplastics for the remaining 1.25 million tonnes in 2014. Worldwide demand for carbon fiber
Reinforced Plastics Volume 61, Number 2 March/April 2017
reinforced plastics (CRP) is estimated at 100,000 tonnes in 2016.
Outlook Often classified as lightweight materials used primarily in the automotive and aerospace industries, existing applications for GRP are frequently overlooked. Yet these ‘‘materials of the future’’ serve real, existing markets and many of them have been used in a broad range of established applications for decades. Naturally, research projects into further series applications are very welcome indeed. However, it is important not to overlook the potential and opportunities in other new and existing markets. Not only are we observing improvements in materials but above all the adoption of new processing methods. ‘‘Established’’ processes are also continuously being refined and adapted. The ongoing optimisation of RTM processes and meeting the future chal-
lenges of integrated production technologies continue to be important themes. Automation thus continues to be one of the most important issues. The trend towards creating and refining multi-material systems and the use of hybrid components will remain one of the key challenges. Hybrid and corresponding multi-material systems are the future of lightweight design. Other factors will determine whether or how composites will be adopted in further sectors. For example, standards and regulations are often the keys to opening or closing doors of opportunity in the construction/infrastructure sector. Composites are not only a reliable partner but a hope for the future in the area of materials. In combination with other materials, they often open up completely new horizons. Composites Germany; www.composites-germany.org
NovaScott gains Gamesa approval NovaScott, a materials producer for composites, has become the first local supplier to gain full approval from Gamesa to supply gelcoat for the production of all nacelles manufactured for the company in Brazil. Since starting production in Brazil back in 2011, Gamesa has successfully developed a strong position in the rapidly growing Brazilian wind power market, winning significant new contacts in 2015 for its 2.1MW wind turbines. NovaScott (NovaScott Especialidades Quimicas Limitada) has had a presence in the growing composites market in Brazil since its creation as a 50:50 joint venture between Scott Bader and Orbis Group at the end of 2013. All NovaScott gelcoats are manufactured at the Novapol production facilities in Serra, and supplied to the Brazilian composites market, as well as to customers throughout South America. NovaScott also distribute resins, tooling products and structural adhesives imported from Scott Bader. ‘We are really delighted and proud to have achieved this challenging approval
Gamesa has successfully developed a strong position in the rapidly growing Brazilian wind power market.
from Gamesa,’ said Juan Felipe Ruiz Zuluaga, general manager of NovaScott. ‘We look forward to providing Gamesa with
a secure local supply of high quality gelcoat for nacelle production in Brazil.’ NovaScott; www.novascott.com.br
Solvay sells formulated resins business Solvay has agreed to sell its Formulated Resins business to polymer and resin supplier Elantas PDG Inc. Under the
74
agreement, Solvay’s technology solutions business unit will divest the business line, which generated sales of US$20 million
in 2015. The divestment includes the formulated resins product portfolio, the manufacturing and R&D facility based in