Materials news, May 2011

Super fit enzymes

Wind power could meet Japan’s energy shortfall

The Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) has called for urgent action to exploit Japan’s wind power potential.

SAMPE 2011 attracts over 7000 delegates

The SAMPE 2011 conference and exhibition in California last week attracted over 7000 delegates.

Gamesa sells 48 MW Polish wind farm

Gamesa is selling the 48 MW wind farm in the Pomorskie region of Poland to the utility PGE Energia Odnawialna.

149.4 MW of Vestas wind turbines to Canada

Vestas will deliver 149.9 MW worth of wind turbines to an undisclosed project in Canada.

Last week's top 3 stories

The following stories were the most popular with visitors to the Reinforced Plastics website last week.

Enthone Appoints Robert J. Haskins Senior Vice President and Regional Managing Director, Asia

20-plus-year industry veteran and former Enthone employee brings valuable expertise in PWB fabrication and assembly markets.

Composites Horizons showcases expanded capabilities

Aerospace parts manufacturer Composites Horizons Inc (CHI) highlighted its expanded capabilities and capacity at SAMPE 2011 in California last week.

Hydropower tunnel under Niagara Falls

A 10 km tunnel under the Niagara Falls has been drilled to increase the output of the hydropower plant, Sir Adam Beck Generating Station, in Ontario, Canad

MacLean Investment Partners acquires certain assets of Janco Composites

MacLean Investment Partners (MIP) has acquired certain assets of Janco Composites Inc, headquartered in Mishawaka, Indiana, USA. The company will operate

SERFILCO Sees SUR/FIN as an Opportunity to Educate

A worldwide leader in dependability, technical support, and design for 50 years, SERFILCO brings its expertise to SUR/FIN, where it plans to teach platers

Elsevier Launches the 'Metal Finishing Network'

New multi-faceted outreach program that aims to connect manufacturers and suppliers with thousands of researchers and industry professionals involved in th

Dow introduces COMPAXX wind blade core material

Dow Formulated Systems is introducing the COMPAXX™ 700 foam core material for use in the manufacture of wind turbine blades.

UK pumps £220m into green and renewable economy

The UK Government has announced it will invest over £200 million on innovation centres focusing on green and renewable energy, and £20m into two clean tech

Capturing the currents in CuO

Flexible films for photovoltaics

Gurit wins five-year supply contract from automotive OEM

Gurit has announced the signing of a "significant parts supply contract" for composite body panels with an existing automotive customer. The contract runs

Distinguished service to PM winners

At PowderMet, the MPIF awarded the Distinguished Service to Powder Metallurgy Award to the following individuals.

Tungsten mine deal

European mineral miner Avrupa Minerals Ltd has signed an agreement to option out one of its tungsten mines to private Canadian exploration company Blackhea

H.C. Starck strengthens tungsten business in China

H.C. Starck has signed a joint venture with Jiangxi Rare Metals Tungsten Holding Group Co Ltd (JXTC), one of China's largest tungsten mine operators, to pr

2011 Design Excellence award winners

The MPIF has announced the winners of the 2011 Design Excellence awards, the annual powder metallurgy (PM) design competition sponsored by the Metal Powder

Two new fellows named by APMI

APMI International has appointed two more people to the 2011 Class of Fellows.

PM industry regains momentum

Michael E. Lutheran, president of the Metal Powder Industries Federation (MPIF), says that the North American powder metallurgy (PM) industry has regained

Teaching algae to make fuel

Nordex selects FiberSIM software to develop wind turbine blades

Wind turbine maker Nordex has purchased VISTAGY Inc's FiberSIM® software to streamline its design-to-manufacturing process for composite wind turbine blade

BAE Systems to sell Composite Structures Business

BAE Systems has announced an agreement for the proposed sale of its Composite Structures business in Brea, California, USA, to EnCore Composites Holdings I

ForWind and Fraunhofer join wind research forces

ForWind and Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy and Energy System Technology (IWES) are setting up the National Wind Energy Research Association to cooper

Vestas could supply 92 MW of wind turbines to India

Vestas says it can confirm it is in negotiations with GP Wind regarding a 92 MW wind turbine order in India.

Phase changing the conductivity

Chlorosomes offer solar energy breakthrough

SGL Automotive Carbon Fibers completes US facility

SGL Automotive Carbon Fibers (SGL ACF) – a joint venture between the SGL Group and BMW – has completed the Moses Lake, Washington, facility which will manu

U.S. Industrial Production Holds Steady in May

Latest Federal Reserve Report shows industrial production in the United States was unchanged in April after increasing 0.7 percent in March.

Siemens Opens US Wind Service Distribution Center

Siemens Energy is opening a US wind service distribution center in Woodward, OK, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2011.

SGL Group expands carbon fibre sales team for Asia

To meet anticipated growth in demand for carbon fibre in Asia-Pacific, and especially China, the SGL Group has expanded its sales team in the region.

Materials Today Virtual Conference - Characterization Techniques and Analysis

Volcano proof coating

Webinar: µ-XRF – Fast and Sensitive Spatially Resolved Elemental Analysis

DIAB doubles capacity in Kunshan, China

Core materials supplier DIAB has completed phase four of its Kunshan manufacturing facility, which doubles its capacity in Greater China.

Metalformers Bracing for a Slowdown

The latest Precision Metalforming Association Business Conditions Report forecasts softer sales activity during the next three months.

Brammo Empulse motorbike employs carbon prepreg to reduce weight

This year's lower weight Brammo Empulse electric racing motorbike features structural components made from Amber Composites carbon fibre prepreg.

Trucks and buses on Neste Oil’s biodiesel

The Challenge Bibendum in Berlin saw Iveco trucks and buses running on Neste Oil’s NExBTL biodiesel.

Researchers create nanopatch for the heart

Gamesa to invest €50m in renewable energy companies

Gamesa will invest up to €50 million over the next five years to buy stakes in companies developing promising renewable energy technologies.

Etching under scrutiny

DNV and Swedish STRI cooperate on offshore wind power transmission

DNV and the Swedish Transmission Research Institute (STRI) are cooperating on solutions for power transmission in the offshore and wind energy sectors.

Last week's top 3 stories

The following stories were the most popular with visitors to the Reinforced Plastics website last week.

Marko Duffy Named President of the NAMF New England Chapter

Duffy, a 32-year industry veteran and MacDermid rep, earns unanimous vote.

AkzoNobel expands its US Automotive Repair Distribution Network

The deal will involve the divestment of approximately 40 AkzoNobel-owned stores to LKQ Corporation.

MFG Texas ships 1000th set of 37 m wind turbine blades

The Gainesville, Texas, plant of Molded Fiber Glass Companies (MFG) has celebrated the shipment of its 1000th set of 37 m composite wind turbine blades.

All-Energy: Scottish vertical-axis wind turbine and hydro unit

Caledonia Green Innovation Ltd presented its Sycamore vertical axis-wind turbine and Nymph hydro unit at All-Energy in Aberdeen, Scotland.

Nanocomposites just got tougher

MAG acquires Forest-Liné

Machine tool systems company MAG has acquired Forest-Liné Group, a French company specialising in CNC manufacturing systems for aerospace applications and

Range Rover Evoque features lightweight materials

The instrument panel and inner door modules of the new Range Rover Evoque are manufactured using STAMAX® thermoplastic composite from SABIC Innovative Plas

Powdermet opens its doors

Powdermet 2011, the global conference on powder metallurgy & particulate materials is now taking place in San Francisco, ending on 21st May.

Cabot resumes tantalum production

Cabot Corp is to resume production of tantalum at its mining facility in Manitoba, Canada, following rising global demand for the rare earth metal.

Expansion at Royal Metal Powders

Royal Metal Powders Inc, a wholly-owned subsidiary of American Chemet Corp, plans to expand the workforce at its new Rockford, Tennessee, facility from abo

US distributor selected for iron and stainless steel

Yuelong Superfine Metal Powders (YSM), a Chinese producer of carbonyl iron (CIP) and stainless steel powders, has appointed United States Metal Powders, In

Composites benefit roof-mounted solar PV modules

New company TULiPPS™ Solar BV has been established to commercialise a lightweight solar photovoltaic (PV) module that harnesses the benefits of automotive-

All-Energy: Scotland aims for 100% renewable energy

Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond said in a recording played at All-Energy that the Scottish Government aims for 100% renewable energy by 2020.

SGL-MRC venture starts precursor production in Japan for BMW i3

MRC SGL Precursor Co Ltd (MSP) has started its production of precursor (the raw material for carbon fibres) on schedule. The carbon fibre manufactured from

Low cost blended carbon fibre yarns and fabrics

UK project Fibrecycle has developed high performance, low cost co-mingled carbon fibre thermoplastic yarns and fabrics, with funding support from the UK's

SPE issues call for automotive composites scholarship applications

The organising committee for the SPE Automotive Composites Conference & Exhibition (SPE ACCE) has announced two US$2000 scholarships for graduate-level res

UK could be a renewable energy goldmine

The UK could be sitting on a renewable energy goldmine if the Government gets the Electricity Market Reform right, according to KPMG.

ETI project: 90 m offshore wind turbine blades

The UK Energy Technologies Institute (ETI) has announced a project to develop wind turbine blades over 90 m long for the next generation offshore wind turb

Gurit exhibits at WINDPOWER 2011

Composite materials supplier Gurit will showcase its latest wind energy products at the WINDPOWER 2011 exhibition in California next week.

N-graphene: a next-generation catalyst

Airtech exhibits at CFK Valley Convention

Airtech will be exhibiting its latest vacuum bagging materials and composite tooling products at the CFK Valley Convention in Germany in June.

Well-stacked graphene with a twist

Last week's top 3 stories

The following stories were the most popular with visitors to the Reinforced Plastics website last week.

Ross introduces new VersaMix mixer

Charles Ross & Son Company is introducing a new VeraMix multi-shaft mixer for use in processing viscous plastics and composites formulations.

Korean green growth centre opens in Denmark

The Republic of Korea’s Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) is establishing its first regional office outside the Republic of Korea at Risø DTU in Denmark

Brazilian wind farm buys 80 MW of Vestas wind turbines

Galvao Energia has ordered 40 Vestas 2 MW wind turbines for a wind farm project in Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil.

Gamesa Q1 profit soars on new markets

Gamesa has seen a 67% jump in net profit to €13 million in the first quarter (Q1) of 2011 with international markets driving sales.

Advanced Composites Group wins US Navy contract

Advanced Composites Group Inc has been awarded US$1.967 million from the US Navy for research and development efforts in support of its out-of-autoclave pr

Huber renames business unit Fire Retardant Additives

Huber Engineered Materials (HEM) is renaming its alumina trihydrate (ATH) business unit Fire Retardant Additives.

Growing limbs

Turkey builds 72 MW wind farm

Turkey is building a 72 MW wind turbine in Kayseri using 36 of Vestas 2 MW wind turbines.

Small growth for OM Group

The OM Group Inc has reported a 9% rise in Q1 net sales compared to the same period in 2010.

Alloy production with laser deposition

Engineers from Sheffield Hallam University in the UK are looking at new way of producing Alloy 625, using powder metallurgy and laser deposition technology

Miba sees 40% increase in sales

Miba’s group sales 2010-2011 are €437.2 million, exceeding levels before the worldwide recession.

Lamborghini uses Araldite resin for Aventador carbon chassis

The Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 features a carbon fibre composite chassis made using a Huntsman Araldite® resin system for RTM.

U.S. Economy Adds 244,000 Jobs in April

Manufacturing sector accounts for 29,000 on the strength of machinery, primary metals, and computer and electronic products.

COMPOSITES EUROPE 2011 – exhibitor profiles

Kunststoffverarbeitung Wimmer GmbH and ORMAMACCHINE will be exhibiting at COMPOSITES EUROPE 2011.

Vestas could build 7 MW offshore wind turbines in the UK

Vestas has signed an option agreement for land at the Port of Sheerness, Kent, UK, for the potential building of an offshore wind turbine manufacturing and

HyperSizer v6 software offers improved composite analysis

Collier Research Corporation has released Version 6 of its HyperSizer® design, analysis and optimisation software for composite and metallic designs.

Northrop Grumman unveils Firebird

Scaled Composites has designed and built a new intelligence-gathering aircraft called Firebird for Northrop Grumman.

More efficient and cheaper vanadium flow battery developed

Technic Inc. and STS Switzerland Announce Joint Agreement

Deal gives Technic exclusive distribution rights for STS vibratory equipment products in North America and Europe.

Ticona increases Celstran long fibre thermoplastic production in China

Ticona has today announced it will nearly double production at its Celstran® long fibre reinforced thermoplastic (LFRT) manufacturing unit in Nanjing, Chin

RenewableUK cautions against reducing offshore wind targets

RenewableUK warns against reducing the UK’s 2020 offshore wind targets in response to the recent report from the Committee on Climate Change (CCC).

IPCC report: 80% renewable energy by 2050

Renewable energy could contribute 80% of global energy supply by 2050, according to a report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

Qatar builds carbon neutral 2022 World Cup stadium

Qatar is building a carbon neutral model stadium for the 2022 World Cup, which includes solar photovoltaics (PV) and solar cooling technologies.

Russian car maker orders Dieffenbacher equipment

Russian company ë-AUTO has placed an order with German press manufacturer Dieffenbacher for two manufacturing lines for the production of fibre reinforced

A Visit to PCX 2011

John Durkee, Metal Finishing's "Cleaning Times" columnist, recaps his experience at PCX 2011.

Health and Safety at American Wind Farms

The health and safety of wind technicians working on site at wind farms is taking center stage as North America reached over 40 GW of installed wind capaci

HOBAS wins No Dig Award

Composite pipe manufacturer HOBAS and construction group PBG have won an International Society for Trenchless Technology (ISTT) No Dig Award for a sewer pr

Aston Martin running on bio-methanol

An Aston Martin Vantage FlexFuel was running on bio-methanol (M60) at the British round of the Dutch Supercar Challenge at Donington Park, UK, 7-8 May.

UK should aim for 30% renewable energy by 2030

The UK Committee on Climate Change (CCC) has concluded that a renewable energy share of around 30% by 2030 would be “appropriate.”

Wave power device undergoing trials in Scotland

Ocean Power Technologies’ (OPT) has started ocean trials of its 150 kW PowerBuoy PB150 wave power device 33 nautical miles off Invergordon, North East Scot

Last week's top 3 stories

The following stories were the most popular with visitors to the Reinforced Plastics website last week.

Reliant Aluminum Products Joins The Aluminum Association

Leading industry group welcomes Reliant Aluminum Products, LLC, the exclusive North American supplier of Clariant colorants and additives for aluminum anod

Webcore introduces TYCOR W5 core material for big blades

WebCore Technologies LLC's new TYCOR® W5 core material is designed for use in the manufacture of longer, heavier wind turbine blades.

Turkey commissions 320 MW hydropower plant

Turkey’s Sanko has commissioned a 320 MW hydropower plant on the Seyhan River using Alstom hydropower technology.

UK Policy Exchange calls for abolishing EU renewable target

The UK think tank Policy Exchange is calling on the UK to abolish its EU renewable energy target and rather focus on energy efficiency and other low-carbon

Gamesa delivers 300 MW of wind to China

Gamesa will deliver 300 MW of wind turbines to China Resources Power’s renewable energy arm, China Resources New Energy Group.

Forbes reports increased tank and scrubber exports

Over the past few years Scottish tank producer Forbes has gradually increased its export business to now account for 20% of turnover.

Oil & gas and offshore renewables must cooperate

The oil and gas industry will have to work together with the offshore renewables industry, according to legal firm Bond Pearce.

Update from Japanese MIM

Japanese MIM specialist Epson Atmix Corporation has posted an update on its website following an interruption of operation after the earthquake and tsunami

Overview of Chinese tungsten market

ResearchInChina, the vertical portal for Chinese business intelligence, has released its new China Tungsten Industry Report for 2010-2011.

Biofuels only option for aviation transport industry?

Biofuels could be key for the aviation transport industry to reach its CO2 emission reduction targets, according to management and strategy consultancy Boo

Umeco exhibits wind blade products at All-Energy 2011

Advanced Composites Group Ltd (ACG), Richmond Aerovac and GRPMS will exhibit products for the manufacture of composite wind turbine blades at the All-Energ

Micro-drum

Offshore wind needs industry-specific safety regulations

There is a need for specific offshore wind regulations to prevent accidents when developing offshore wind farms, according to offshore safety professionals

Diamond 2011

Lights, chemistry, action!

DIAB and 3A Composites enter PET core materials licensing agreement

DIAB and 3A Composites have entered into a licensing agreement for the manufacturing of PET core materials.

U.S. Auto Sales Rise 18% in April

Demand for fuel-efficient vehicles drove automotive sales last month.

Detecting cancer by imitating Velcro

ATK wins $110m contract for F-35 Lightning II composite components

ATK has received a US$110 million contract from Lockheed Martin to produce composite components for low rate initial production (LRIP) Lots 5 through 9 of

Time travel at the LHC

Gone in 20 femtoseconds

AOC announces price increase for Mexico, Latin America and the Caribbean

AOC LLC will increase prices on all products with shipments on and after 16 May for Mexico, Latin America and the Caribbean.

Vestas’ net loss doubles in Q1 2011

Vestas has seen its net loss more than double to €85 million in the first quarter (Q1) of 2011 compared to the same period in 2010 due to a low level of ac

Germany’s Baltic 1 offshore wind farm commissioned

Germany’s first commercial offshore wind farm, the 48.3 MW EnBW Baltic 1, has been commissioned in the Baltic Sea off the coast of Germany.

Trek Bicycle implements carbon fibre recycling programme

Bicycle manufacturer Trek has put into action a carbon fibre recycling programme at its Waterloo, Wisconsin, USA, manufacturing facility and is now recycli

April PMI Index Hits 60.4

Purchasing survey results bode well for manufacturing.

COMPOSITES EUROPE introduces International University Pavilion

The COMPOSITES EUROPE trade show is introducing a special exhibition area for universities and research institutes to present their latest work.

NREL to Test 3 MW Alstom Wind Turbine

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) will analyst and test a 3 MW Alstom Eco 100 wind turbine at NREL’s National Wind Technology Center near Bou

110 MW of REpower wind turbines to Canada

REpower AG will supply a total of 110 MW of wind turbines for wind farms in Canada.

Cytec joins IMAST research consortium

Cytec Industries Inc's Engineered Materials business has joined IMAST, a technology cluster located in Italy which supports collaboration between universit

Vestas: 100 MW of wind turbines to China

Vestas will deliver 100 MW worth of wind turbines to an undisclosed customer for a project in the Shandong Province, China.

Last week's top 3 stories

The following stories were the most popular with visitors to the Reinforced Plastics website last week.

Latest IPC Report Shows Mixed Electronics Activity

Shipments and bookings for printed circuit boards were not aligned in March, IPC report shows.

Enthone Introduces Decorative and Hard Chrome PFOS-Free Processes

Family of wetting agents and fume suppressants addresses pending U.S. EPA rules.

Last month's top 3 stories

The following stories were the most popular with visitors to the Reinforced Plastics website during the month of April.

Zwick compression fixture and software improve composite testing

Zwick Roell has introduced a hydraulic composites compression fixture (HCCF) designed to improve specimen handling, enable different specimen geometries to