Метка: Composites

  • Toray to Purchase TenCate Advanced Composites Holding, a KTC Subsidiary

    Toray to Purchase TenCate Advanced Composites Holding, a KTC Subsidiary

    Background for Acquisition & Objective

    Background
    • The global carbon fiber business field has been expanding steadily led by the demand for applications such as aircraft as well as environment and energy including windmill blades for wind power generation.
    • In the aircraft industry, demand for medium- and small-sized, single aisle aircraft is growing significantly and the development of the next generation aircraft targeting such demand is expected to intensify.
    • It is assumed that the use of thermoplastic prepreg will further increase for medium- and small-sized mass-produced aircraft, as the material enables to bring down costs by improving efficiency of molding of members.

    In the medium-term management program Project AP-G 2019, launched by Toray in fiscal year 2017, the company is promoting the Green Innovation Business Expansion (GR) Project aimed at contributing to solving global environmental issues and resource and energy problems in a group-wide effort, and Toray is pursuing business expansion and market development of the carbon fiber business as one of the core businesses under the project.

    While Toray already has a large number of transactions in the carbon fiber business for aerospace applications, the company was facing the challenge of further technology development in diverse fields including thermoplastic prepreg in addition to the existing thermoset prepreg and the establishment of a business base to respond to the anticipated expansion in demand in aircraft applications.

    Objective

    TCAC, which Toray has decided to purchase, is a prepreg manufacturer with its main manufacturing bases in Europe and the U.S. and has a track record of widely supplying thermoplastic prepreg and high heat resistance thermoset resin materials. Especially, TCAC is among the global leading companies of carbon fiber intermediate materials using thermoplastic resins.

    • The acquisition is expected to generate significant synergies by combining the product lineup in which TCAC specializes with the broad range of carbon fiber as well as polymer technologies, which are Toray’s strengths.
    • Combining the two companies’ distribution channels, the company can offer a wider product lineup to the customers.
    • Toray will respond swiftly to the expansion of the market for small-sized aircraft and expand the business further for industrial use applications including automobiles in the medium- to long-term.

    [su_button url=»https://polymer-additives.specialchem.com/news/industry-news/toray-purchase-tencate-advanced-composites-holding-000213850?lr=ipa1803441&li=70111412&utm_source=NL&utm_medium=EML&utm_campaign=ipa1803441&m_i=owCSgOUSRuiLkTokZbqCRDk%2BUkNEylgW36Uby0qM2dBx47QF11rda35UI6UamMWaxutReHz8ZMUL2ocV2q1EbPgGFxVooh» target=»blank» size=»5″]Source[/su_button]

  • Top 5 Plastics Materials Trends for 2018

    Top 5 Plastics Materials Trends for 2018

    According to Plastics News, total demand for plastics products is on track to expand by 3.5 percent in 2018. But what plastics trends will be feeding that growth? Below we have compiled a list of current trending plastic applications, some you’ve read about here in the Knowledge Center. But we’ll start with perhaps a surprising market…

    Fashion

    Chanel launches PVC plastic fashion for 2018 - read more plastics trends in the Prospector Knowledge Center.
    SOURCE: Chanel

    Designers like Chanel, Jimmy Choo, Phillip Lim, and Calvin Klein are using plastic polymers such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) in their designs, as reported by Harper’s Bazaar, W Magazine, Allure, Vogue, and Pinterest. Spring/summer 2018 collections include plastic items such as hats, thigh-high boots, jewelry, and handbags.2,3,4

     

     

     

     

    Sustainability

    This plastics trend continues to grow as more and more consumers and governments demand accountability in plastic manufacturing. Part of this process also includes increased use of bioplastics, such as those derived from soybeans, corn, flax, and other materials.5Coherent Market Insights reports that the global green packaging market will reach USD $238 billion by 2025.6 Related articles:

    Automotive

    The use of plastic materials in innovative automotive design is on the rise, as manufacturers strive to optimize performance and fuel economy, while reducing emissions. We will see innovations in plastic vehicle interiors such as smart surfaces and 3D-printed tooling, as well as external autonomous driving sensors. Related articles:

    Medical

    MTD's micro molded plastic drug delivery straws - read about plastics trends like this in the Prospector Knowledge Center.
    SOURCE: MTD Micro Molding

    As medical technology advances, so does the use of plastics in the medical field. Doctors use micro injection molded bioabsorbable products such as stents, staples, and polymer drug-eluting implants.7 Polymers are also being used as the foundation for “scaffolds” to guide the regrowth of new tissue. Related articles:

     

     

    Composites

    Wind farm with turbines made with plastic composites - find more plastics trends in the Prospector Knowledge Center.Already at work in the marketplace, designers and engineers continue to innovate plastic composite applications, such as fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP), which includes glass, carbon, aramid, and other fibers. The Freedonia Group reports growth for these materials in the construction, wind energy, and aerospace markets.8 Related articles:

    What trends are you seeing in your work in the plastics industry? Is there anything you’d like to hear more about in a future article? Share in your thoughts with a comment below!

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