2010 number 4 winter. ThemE: space & aerospace composites

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1 2010 number 4 winter ThemE: space & aerospace composites

2 Sustainability / Environment Space & Aerospace Composites TenCate Royal Ten Cate (TenCate) is a multinational company which combines textile technology with chemical processes in the development and production of functional materials. Various market applications have been created around this technological base. TenCate occupies leading positions worldwide in its core markets. TenCate s growth is based principally on global trends, namely, safety / protection and sustainability / the environment. TenCate materials are principally used for: personal safety and the protection of living and working environments; modernization of military and police equipment space and aerospace (reduction in fuel costs through lighter materials); water management and environmental protection; TenCate s strategy is based on the concept of value chain management. The four cornerstones of this policy are: cost leadership; product differentiation, focusing on specific applications and customer requirements; end-user marketing and an industrial intellectual property policy; technological innovation. These four cornerstones within the TenCate business model are related to market, product, process and technology, and their interaction. In txtures the trends, cornerstones and other essential elements of the business model are referred to as often as possible. In this winter edition, we portray in particular TenCate s performance in the field of sustainability and the environment. This winter edition gives pride of place to Space & Aerospace Composites. The use of advanced composites produces weight savings, fuel reduction and extension of the lifespan of aircraft, ships, vehicles and exploratory spacecraft. The development and production of these materials enables TenCate to make a contribution to global developments relating to sustainability and the environment. Production of carbon fabrics at TenCate Advanced Composites USA in Morgan Hill TenCate co Both the Space & Aerospace Composites market group and the Advanced Armour market group develop and produce composite materials; the former for applications primarily in the space and aerospace industry and the latter for antiballistic solutions. TenCate composite materials have proven themselves to be high flyers over many years. Advanced composites combine high strength and low weight; they reduce fuel consumption, extend the lifespan of aircraft and vehicles, have excellent formability and are also flame-retardant, and acid- and moisture-resistant. Through the development and production of these materials TenCate is responding to global trends relating to sustainability and the environment. 2 txtures number 4 winter

3 mposites light, strong, durable Composites are fibre-reinforced plastics made mostly of glass, carbon and aramid fibres. TenCate composite materials are based on textile technology combined with chemical processes. They consist of a composition of fibres or fabrics from which semi-manufactures are made with the addition of resin systems (see also framed text on page 9). TenCate Cetex for example is a series of thermoplastic composite materials, consisting of unidirectional, fabric-based prepregs and tapes, semipregs, laminates and sandwich inserts. The use of advanced composites ensures fuel reduction and considerable extension of the lifespan of aircraft, ships, vehicles and satellites. These are becoming lighter, stronger, safer, more economical and certainly in aviation more cost efficient. TenCate operates a pyramid model with material, process, design and sustainability as its cornerstones. At home in space and aerospace Advanced composites from the Space & Aerospace Composites group are primarily used in the world of space and aerospace: in commercial and military aircraft, satellites and exploration vehicles for Mars missions for example. Both the space and aerospace markets are conservative: safety and reliability are of the utmost importance. The costs of the development and qualification of materials are high. Once a certain material is used after qualification, not a single modification may be made for follow-up deliveries unless it relates to a proven improvement. This makes it financially unviable to seek out new materials unless there is a technical or business need for them and explains why specifications for certain parts dating from the 1970s still apply, even though better materials have since become available. Continued on page 4 3

4 Sustainability / Environment Space & Aerospace Composites To a great height Continued from page 3 In addition there is a multiplicity of defence and industrial applications. Examples include the extraction of oil and gas, the recreational market and mobility concepts (solar car and the Superbus). Unmanned aircraft (UAVs) represent a major growth market. In aircraft, composite materials such as TenCate Cetex are used in the secondary wing structure and in the primary flight structure and interior parts of the aircraft. Examples include flaps, access doors, pylons, radomes [the protective housing for radar antenna), the fixed wing leading edge, beams, luggage containers and floor panels. For these interior and structural parts TenCate works directly with its customers, the suppliers to aircraft manufacturers and especially experts in material and process technology. Examples of applications in space include solar arrays, antenna, reflectors, parts of the skin and the supporting structure for the solar cells, antenna, booms, trusses, communication dishes and heat shields. In the lead Space & Aerospace Composites is a major player in its niche markets when it comes to the development and production of composite materials for these demanding applications. The market group is the global market leader in radomes and materials for space. Many years of knowledge and experience relating to materials and technology, flexibility and continuity, and the reliability of quality and delivery underpin this position. This expertise is partly the result of cooperation with partners in the value chain (such as Fokker Aerostructures, the TU Delft and 4 txtures number 4 winter

5 In radomes and materials for space applications TenCate s Space & Aerospace Composites group is global market leader the University of Twente) and in development and innovation consortia like TAPAS and TPRC. There are, however, long lead times for the space and aerospace market and the time needed to recover investment costs is long. The market has, to a limited degree, product and design knowledge, particularly of thermoplastics. The market group itself does not produce any fibres or polymers and is consequently flexible in its choice of suppliers. The strengths of the group lie in its expertise, the technical performance of its materials and its throughput. Together with partners it is continuously working on improving products, processes and technologies. The group operates in markets that show growth. Cornerstones Its own PPS+ programme is focused on a new generation of TenCate Cetex thermoplastic composites. PPS (polyphenylene sulfide) can withstand temperatures of more than 200 C and is flame-retardant. The programme is aimed at delivering more efficient internal processes, new composite architectures and improved temperature resistance. Thanks to intensive product development, TenCate is now able to offer more new unitapes, resins and prepregs. This means cost efficiency, product differentiation and innovation. As far as end-user marketing is concerned, the group is doing its utmost to continue to point out to customers the advantages of composite use. This it does at trade shows, in personal contacts, in technical papers and datasets and on the Internet, and based on its proven record of service to the space and aerospace industry. aerospacecomposites.europe@tencate.com 5

6 Sustainability / Environment Space & Aerospace Composites in THe Us AND Europe In the US the emphasis is on applications in space, civil aviation, the market for business jets and defence 6 txtures number 4 winter

7 Production and products The Space & Aerospace group has production facilities in Europe (Nijverdal) and the United States (Morgan Hill and Benicia, California). The companies are: TenCate Advanced Composites, Phoenix, YLA and CCS Composites. Design techniques Benicia produces thermoset prepregs, chopped moulding compounds and compression-moulded aerospace parts for the aviation industry. In the US the emphasis is on applications in space, civil aviation, the market for business jets and defence. In Morgan Hill they make thermoset prepregs and thermoplastic unidirectional (UD) prepregs. This tape technology complements existing production processes for composites and produces extra savings in production, thanks to the possibility for automation that it provides. UD tape is especially suitable for fuselage and wings, due to it optimal mechanical properties: for example, stiffness, strength, thermal and electrical conductivity, chemical and UV resistance and fire safety. This technology will make it possible in the near future to build for instance a light fuselage made of thermoplastic composite. Fire safety is a key design criterion for fuselages. The development of UD tape technology has enabled TenCate to strengthen its position in the aviation sector. Read further on next page Thermoset mounting clip for the Boeing 787 7

8 Sustainability / Environment Space & Aerospace Composites in THe Us AND Europe Continued from previous page These last two design techniques offer greater formability or result in finished products, such as hydraulic and fuel line clamp assemblies for the Boeing 787. This is an example of forward integration in the manufacturing process. In the US TenCate also produces carbon composite prepregs. These are used by one of its customers to manufacture composite rotor tubes for a new method of uranium enrichment by supplier USEC in Piketon (Ohio). Mobility concepts In Europe production is mainly focused on commercial aviation and here primarily thermoplastic composites are manufactured. There is a strategic alliance with Fokker Aerostructures. Composite material is also supplied for innovative mobility concepts such as the Superbus and vehicles that are driven by solar and wind energy. In the world of sports too demand for composites is growing. TenCate Cetex is eminently suitable for sports in which weight plays a major role, such as cycling and skating. There is a significant degree of production, sales and technical support between the US and Europe. Thermoplastic prepregs and laminates (TenCate Cetex ) produced in Nijverdal are also sold in the US. In turn, thermoset prepregs from Benicia and Morgan Hill find their way to European producers in the space industry (for example radomes). 8 txtures number 4 winter

9 Advanced composites Advanced composites combine exceptionally high strength and low weight and offer a high degree of formability. Formability plays a major role in almost every application: composites can be processed relatively easily into complex shapes. They require far less maintenance than traditional materials, they can be tailored to the specific application, have good impact-retardant and flame-retardant properties. In addition depending in part on the resin system chosen they have excellent resistance to acids, chemicals and water, they can easily withstand numerous cycle loadings and are thermally insulating. Composites are developed mainly within the aviation industry. Here for the most part carbon composites are used to build structures that are light and strong. Glass and aramid fibre structures have become popular through their use in radomes, for which radar transparency is essential. Thanks to the great variety of fibres, resins and reinforcement shapes, the freedom of design of a composite product is exceptionally great. The choice of type of fibre, the fibre architecture and type of resin are crucial for its mechanical properties. A thermoplastic is a material made of plastic that softens when heated and can then easily be brought into the correct form. It is a physical process, and thus reversible. The characteristics of thermoplastics include low production costs, flame and toxic smoke resistance, unlimited and non-conditioned storage and higher toughness. Thermoplastics are used in the aviation industry, but are still limited in high load-bearing aircraft parts. All thermoplastics are in principle recyclable. A thermoset remains hard and eventually degrades when heated. This involves a chemical process and is thus irreversible. Thermoset composite materials offer resistance to extreme temperatures and are extremely strong, low-weight and durable. Thermoset is mainly used in military aviation and the space industry. With conditions such as those on Mars between -80º and +20º C all materials for exploration vehicles must be completely reliable and secure. A prepreg consists of a thin foil of a substrate (a thin layer of fabric of for example glass, carbon or aramid fibre) that is impregnated with an epoxy or flattened by rollers into thin sheets. Prepregs are used for the shaping of layered composite materials (laminates). 9

10 Sustainability / Environment Space & Aerospace Composites has impressive customer base Airworthy and reliable The major customers for civil aviation are Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier and Embraer and their direct suppliers. US companies account for 55% of the global market in aerospace, European companies, 25%. Airbus and Boeing together have a market share of 80%. The fixed wing leading edge (J-nose) and the engine inlet among other parts of the Airbus A380 are made of TenCate Cetex. Various parts of the A350 will also be based on thermoplastic materials from TenCate. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner too uses this material and TenCate supplies the composite materials for the floor panels and the moving horizontal and vertical parts of the tail for the Gulfstream G650 business jet. The Cirrus SR20 and SR22 business jets consist entirely of thermoset composite material. Other types of aircraft in which the material is used include the Airbus A320 (the workhorse of the Airbus fleet), the A400 M, the Boeing 737, Boeing 747-8, Boeing 777 and Boeing 767; the Embraer Lineage, Phenom 100 and Phenom 300, the Gulfstream G550 and the Apache AH64 helicopter. TenCate is currently going through a qualification programme that is aimed at the replacement of a metal loading ramp in helicopters with thermoplastic composite. This will produce a weight saving of 40%, greater strength and an increased lifespan. TenCate s customer base also includes the names of aircraft manufacturer Lockheed Martin, the defence and technology company Raytheon, Loral (satellite systems), BAE Systems (aviation), Cobham (aviation and defence), General Atomics (applications in nuclear energy, aviation and defence), ATK (space and aerospace, defence) and Astrium (space). Aircraft industry: cautious The aircraft industry is sometimes depicted as conservative, but cautious is a more fitting description at least that is the view of Frédérique Mutel, CEO of JEC Composites (see article on page 15). Safety and reliability are paramount and ensuring these takes a great deal of time. The major challenge here is to produce more aircraft using the same quality and to produce lighter parts for aircraft that can go faster at lower costs, while still retaining the same quality. The answer to all this is the automation of production processes (by robotization and simulation) and innovation of materials. Aerospace has no choice. Continued on page txtures number 4 winter

11 The Cirrus SR20 and SR22 consist entirely of composite material 11

12 Sustainability / Environment Space & Aerospace Composites has impressive customer base Continued from page 11 As an illustration she mentions the Boeing 787, where dozens of engineers are trying to work out how to save eight grams on a single part. The only solution for weight saving is composites. In order to be able to produce more composites and make them more competitive, automation is vital: it can speed up the production cycle, guarantee the reproducibility and quality of parts and reduce costs. JEC Composites supports the industry by providing an extensive information and training programme in automation. Europe, where 83% of the production processes are currently automated, acts as a driver for Asia (68%) for example. The entire composites industry must, however, move forward, as a sign that it is committed to the environment. TenCate supplies composite materials for the moving horizontal and vertical parts of the tail of the gulfstream G txtures number 4 winter

13 Lightweight composites, which meet the requirements of the aircraft manufacturers in terms of strength and stiffness, can also be used to make cars and ships lighter. To achieve this, however, faster, automated production techniques must become available. Biding one s time Participation in the aviation market is a question of biding one s time. Even now designers are already getting down to work on planes that will not take to the air before The requirements made by the aviation industry change rapidly and the use of composites in this sector is increasing markedly. Composite is both stronger and lighter than aluminium and other metals. Each successive generation of aircraft as a rule contains yet more composite material, as it is a matter of being able to carry more passengers over greater distances, with reduced fuel consumption and lower production and maintenance costs. New commercial aircraft that will be delivered in 2010 and the following years will have fuselages and wings in which yet more aluminium has been replaced by (carbon fibre) composites. The same also applies to the structural parts. In 2014, 11% more composites will be used in aircraft than in The Airbus A320 (1986) consists of 20% composite material, the A380 (2005), 35%. The new Boeing 787 and Airbus A350 XWB will consist of approximately 50% composites and only 20% aluminium. The use of composites makes aircraft lighter and increases their lifespan. As this will also enable the air pressure and atmospheric humidity to be increased, passenger comfort too will be enhanced. With aluminium the atmospheric humidity is kept artificially low, as corrosion would otherwise occur (for example in the rivet joints). This keeps the air in the aircraft dry. At an altitude of ten kilometres the plane must be kept pressurized; in an average lifespan a plane is pumped up approximately 150,000 times. Composites thus have an advantage because, unlike aluminium, absolutely no material fatigue will occur. Opting for TenCate Customers have their own reasons for opting for composite materials from TenCate: reliability and continuity, for example. TenCate offers excellent technical service, very short lead times and a wide selection of specialty products for key segments like radomes and satellites. Manufacturers of satellite systems value the benefits of the very high modulus fibres and resin systems from TenCate, which are extremely dimensionally stable. Radome manufacturers want composites that are dielectrically very pure: glass and quartz fabrics with no carbon fibre contamination. In the Morgan Hill facility the group has carbon-free areas. TenCate has wide-ranging technology in resins, both thermoset and thermoplastics, and can also manufacture parts itself. Space & Aerospace Composites is also a good technical partner, being able to develop and qualify new materials for specific end-use applications. In both Nijverdal amd Morgan Hill, TenCate possesses some of the very latest production equipment in both thermoset and thermoplastic prepregs and unitape. 13

14 Sustainability / Environment TenCate working on new materials AND processes UD tape technology will make it possible in the future to build a light fuselage of thermoplastic composite 14 txtures number 4 winter

15 Innovations and trends As a technology partner, TenCate works with both end-users and suppliers in the development of composite materials and their use in existing and new aircraft. In this way concepts and products can be customized as required. the traditional trade-off between toughness/ flexibility and stiffness/hardness. The TenCate Advanced Composites PPS+ programme is directed at a new generation of TenCate Cetex thermoplastic composites, the basis being a new generation of polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) semipregs. PPS powder is applied directly to the carbon fabric and melted. This saves a number of steps in the processing and is thus cheaper, meaning that the material can compete on price with traditional thermoset composites. The programme thus provides more efficient internal processes, new composite architectures and better temperature resistance. TenCate can now offer new products in thermoplastic unitapes, new resins for high-temperature applications like the Orion heat shield, new prepregs for the satellite structure and a new generation of thermoset prepregs focused on aircraft for out of autoclave processing. The adhesion of layers and hardening of the material in autoclaves is an expensive process and is therefore not feasible for example for the automotive industry. The most recent product introductions are a prepreg for industrial and recreational applications and a new composite surfacing film to provide a cosmetically superior surface to composite structure. CCS Composites supplies thermoset clamps for the hydraulic and fuel lines of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Ten Cate Advanced Composites USA has entered into an agreement with 3M for the supply to TenCate of 3M Matrix Resin for the creation of customized TenCate prepregs. The 3M Matrix Resin is a proprietary resin technology that can produce stronger, lighter and more durable composites. The resin makes it possible for manufacturers to avoid Global trends TenCate s PPS+programme enables the company to respond to a number of trends that are emerging in the world of composites. The major trend in the aircraft industry is interest in improving the productivity of composite fabrication through automation and in new materials. There is also a shift towards composite aircraft fuselage and wings in new commercial planes, which is driving overall composite usage and the demand for thermoplastic composites in interior applications. In other applications customers are seeking productivity savings from the use of automation and the elimination of very high pressure curing cycles. TenCate thermoset materials can be cured in ovens instead of autoclaves, thereby reducing the time and capital investment. With thermoplastic UD tape the automation from thermoplastic unitapes provides productivity savings along with the ability to store these materials at ambient temperatures. 15

16 Sustainability / Environment TenCate working on new materials AND processes Frédérique Mutel, Chairman and CEO of JEC Composites From open to closed A development is taking place in injection processes, which goes hand-in-hand with the shift from open-moulding techniques to closed-moulding, such as resin transfer moulding (RTM). This is a low-pressure design process with two resins that are injected into a mould, after which they are cured. This technique is clean, energy efficient and enables large and relatively complex products to be made and to have an extremely smooth surface on both sides. This is a significant improvement from the point of view of quality, environment and health. It produces a more constant quality end-product and helps to significantly reduce the emission of gases (solvents) in production. Here too there is a challenge, particularly for the emerging economies. Traditional manual processing (hand lamination in an open mould) can be harmful to humans and the environment. This development fits in with the strong growth in the share of thermoplastics, which are lending themselves more for closed-mould processes and can be more easily recycled. Moreover, unlike thermosets, they do not produce any inventory problems. The share of thermoplastics in the value chain amounted to 30% in 2002; this is currently 37%. Tailwind Another trend is the growth of applications in wind energy. In Frédérique Mutel s view we will not be able to avoid having a variety of forms of energy. We shan t be able to continue with just one or two forms of energy. Rapid growth is occurring chiefly in the United States. Here they realized eight years ago that the US could face problems in many markets and it was decided to enter new markets, such as wind turbines. The US is traditionally strong in automotive and space systems; however, knowledge of nuclear energy is still limited there. With the production of wind turbine blades you have to be close to your customer and to the place where the wind turbines are. Growth in Asia There is also undeniably strong growth in the use of composites in Asia. Of the worldwide growth from 5.9 million ton (Mt) in 1999 to 10.3 Mt in 2013, Asia s share rose from 24% to 36%. Large composite companies now have production facilities all over Asia, not so much due to the wages as to the fact that the market and the demand are large there. Western players too want their share of the cake and the same applies to raw materials suppliers. These are companies with advanced technology and full control of their emissions. Environmental awareness in emerging countries is growing rapidly. Frédérique Mutel knows from her own experience. From time immemorial there has been a culture there of reuse and recycling. They have a long tradition of care for water and nature. They feel involved with the quality of the natural environment - that is one of the greatest values. That s why you don t just throw things away. TenCate remains principally focused on space and aerospace. There is a growing potential for aircraft interiors for thermoplastics, radomes for military ships, oil and gas applications for weight reduction and composite use in commercial aviation and the market segment for business aircraft. 16 txtures number 4 winter

17 Sustainability / Environment TenCate player in rapidly growing market A world of composites The Space & Aerospace Composites market group develops and produces composite materials primarily for space and aerospace. These are markets that are showing growth, and in which there is a major role for automation, recycling and innovation of raw materials, materials and processes. The market is dominated by the transport sector (see illustration p. 18) and the construction industry. In the transport sector weight reduction results in fuel savings. In the construction industry building light means that fewer raw materials are required. In building, roofing, spanning and infrastructure many traditional materials lend themselves to replacement by composites. The maintenance of structures such as bridges is subject to strict regulation in the EU. Supporting structures made of composites can consequently compete with metal structures. By placing a greater emphasis on promoting itself in civil engineering and the construction industry, there is still a great deal of ground to be gained here by the industry. The aerospace market share amounts to 4%, although this sector has the highest growth and greatest profitability (21% of the market value). The market for wind energy accounts for 3% of the total volume (6% of the total value). In the United States and Europe these two high-tech sectors are far more developed than in the rest of the world. The shipbuilding, pipelines & tanks, consumer products and electricity & electronics sectors occupy a midway position as regards market share. Space & Aerospace Composites supplies 80% of High strength and low weight, extreme formability, excellent resistance to acids, chemicals, moisture, impact and heat: these are just a few of the many advantages that advanced composites offer and which are recognized in many sectors. Worldwide the composites industry serves many sectors, supplying both high-tech materials and low-value volume products. Production of carbon prepregs in Morgan Hill. The demand for carbon fibre will double between 2009 and 2012 its composites to the space and aerospace industry and 20% for industrial applications. Market volume and market value The market volume of the worldwide composites industry amounts to eight million tons and has a value of 60 billion. Of this, the US accounts for 35% (value 36%), the European Union (EU) 22% (33%) and Asia 43% (31%). The relatively high value of the EU can be ascribed to the high standard of composites technology. Asia is focused mainly on low-value composite materials in large volumes. Outside China the market is looking to an increasing extent to high-tech materials. Not only Asia, but India and South America too are emerging markets. They need new solutions for obsolete infrastructure and transport networks. Transport and construction are the major markets there. In the US and the EU, both mature economies, the market is already saturated. Improvement On average the global market is growing by 4% a year. This growth is accelerating as a result of the 17

18 Sustainability / Environment TenCate player in rapidly growing market increasing use of composites and improvements in production processes. Across the world some 550,000 people earn their living in the composites industry. These figures were provided by JEC Composites, which has extensively charted the rich and complex world of composites. JEC (Journals, Exhibitions & Composites) has set itself the task of promoting composite materials worldwide. JEC s global network connects more than 250,000 people who are professionally involved in composites. The composites industry is highly innovative. This innovative attitude is also essential, as the composites industry faces a number of challenging tasks, including automation (making production processes faster and cheaper through for example robotization) and the development of new raw materials, resins, and glass and carbon fibres. Each link in the value chain has a contribution to make to this, Frédérique Mutel (Chairman and EO of JEC Composites) told us. This makes all the players in the value chain mutually dependent. Innovations The demand for carbon fibre will increase between 2009 and Aerospace and industrial applications are showing the strongest growth. The innovation of resins and additives involves for example low-emission resins, bio-resins, improved prepregs and carbon and glass fibres with greater strength. When it comes to process innovation, the terms simulation and prototyping are often heard. Computers allow you to simulate anything. You can design a product on a computer; you don t need to build a scale model to do it. After rapid prototyping you can immediately start on serial production. Also, you can simulate the ageing process of composites. Apart from the focus on new raw materials and materials, attention is also given to obsolete products: recycling. Who does the collecting, who, the removal and who, the recycling? As far as regulations are concerned, Japan and the EU are to date the most progressive in this process. EU legislation for the recycling of cars and electrical equipment provides opportunities for the composites industry. In the US regulations relating to materials, chemicals and recycling are continually improving. Recycling is a great challenge for the industry and will become ever more important. Collective One of the specific qualities of the composites industry is its collective knowledge. The market wants products that don t rust and require little or no maintenance. Companies in the value chain are constantly working together to find the best solution. There is also internal competition within the sector: between thermosets and thermoplastics for example, whereas the real competition is taking place outside, in other materials. She feels that not all the companies can see the big picture. JEC Composites plays an important role in this by uniting all the families, representing the sector and coming up with various solutions. The collective challenge is to expand the composites markets and you can t do that with forty different families and poor arguments and resources. Following on from that, JEC Composites wants to increase the visibility of composites and communications about them. There are too many expressions for the same sorts of materials. All the links in the value chain talk about composites, and as a result there are too many confusing terms. The industry is relatively young so we must present ourselves far more clearly and, with the backing of a strong industry, show end-users and markets what you can do with composites and be efficient in conveying their advantages. 18 txtures number 4 winter

19 Concentration Another challenge is the concentration of companies. There are too many small and medium-sized companies in the composites industry. They all have expertise and knowledge. It would be good to form alliances and clusters of companies, so you have to consolidate, buying up other companies or forming clusters of small companies in technology or on a regional basis. This will mean the end of many such companies if they don t have the means to invest or to set up elsewhere. If you re small and aren t open to change, you won t stand a chance. There are some companies that are conservative. They behave in a very protective way and are not open to the outside world. Spirit of cooperation When it comes to TenCate, Frédérique Mutel is positive. TenCate is a company that works with partners in a spirit of cooperation and believes that alliances are very important. When I got to know TenCate in the US, and then in Asia, I saw the company s dynamism. Its people are open and very innovative. So it s no small wonder that the company won the JEC Innovation Award 2010 in Paris. Mr De Vries has vision. When I met him, he stressed that TenCate is a company that makes a difference. TenCate is important to us as JEC for our references. Space & Aerospace Composites contacts are limited for the time being to the JEC organization. Frédérique Mutel believes that TenCate could benefit even more from its network of experts and decision-makers. We could be partners to get our message across more clearly and to make the brand more visible. Composites industry is an innovative sector within which a great deal of knowledge is shared. There is an important role for automation, recycling and innovation of raw materials, materials and processes. JEC appreciates TenCate s open and innovative attitude info@jeccomposites.com 19

20 Sustainability / Environment Ten Cate Advanced Composites signs supply contract Laminates for Airbus A350 XWB An enabled material contract has been signed to supply TenCate Cetex carbon fabric laminates for use in the new Airbus A350 XWB among other EADS applications. Based on this award TenCate Advanced Composites Europe will start the delivery of TenCate Cetex towards several Tier 1 and Tier 2 partners of Airbus that produce fuselage panels and components for the Airbus A350 XWB. TenCate Cetex material which can be characterized as high strength and low weight will be applied to the stiffening structure of the body of the Airbus A350 XWB. The thermoplastic material is already used in existing Airbus programs, including the Airbus A380. These advanced fabric reinforced thermoplastic composite materials are already used for many structural and semi-structural exterior as well as interior applications in aircraft. The supply of TenCate Cetex material to the Airbus A350 XWB program once again underlines the importance of light and moldable thermoplastic material. One of the advantages of the application of thermoplastic composite is the posibility for the serial production in large numbers. aerospacecomposites.europe@tencate.com 20 txtures number 4 winter