A bi-monthly Summary of Composite Industry top stories
Produced EXCLUSIVELY by Phoenix Equipment, all RIGHTS RESERVED
Produced EXCLUSIVELY by Phoenix Equipment, all RIGHTS RESERVED
Produced EXCLUSIVELY by Phoenix Equipment, all RIGHTS RESERVED
April 1, 2025
From: Scott McGehee, President
Phoenix Equipment
Largo, Florida
Copyright 2025. ALL Rights Reserved
Every week Phoenix Equipment scans notable Composite Industry News and summarizes it for our customers. We post this information on our NEW website as welll as in a PDF file. We also present it in an audio podcast file to listen to at your convenience.
This summary is only available to Phoenix Equipment customers via our monthly newsletter link.
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Recent Developments
Produced EXCLUSIVELY by Phoenix Equipment, all RIGHTS RESERVED
Produced EXCLUSIVELY by Phoenix Equipment, all RIGHTS RESERVED
Recent developments in the composites industry are highlighted, spanning business activities like acquisitions and funding initiatives, including the development of coal-derived carbon fibers and recyclable options.
The automotive sector features prominently, with BMW's carbon core technology and collaborations for composite battery enclosures and even a carbon fiber guitar. Innovations in material use are evident through bamboo-carbon fiber construction and 3D-printed composite applications in skateboards, boats, and bikes.
Broader industry shifts are noted with regulatory changes allowing bio-composites and pandemic-related event postponements, alongside specific company news like Triumph Group's divestiture of its composites business.
Overall, the news reflects a dynamic sector with advancements across automotive, aerospace, and construction, showcasing both material innovation and business realignments.
What are the major trends and developments shaping the composites industry across various sectors?
Based on the information in the sources, several major trends and developments are shaping the composites industry across various sectors.
Increased Use of Composites in the Automotive Sector
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Increased Use of Composites in the Automotive Sector
The automotive industry continues to be a significant driver for composites, with examples including BMW utilizing "Carbon Core Technology" in their new 7 Series and SGL Carbon agreeing to produce composite battery enclosures for the BMW Group. Furthermore, the German Touring Car Series is changing regulations to allow bio-composite materials, indicating a move towards more sustainable options in this sector. Jaguar Land Rover has also announced the Tucana Advanced Composites Project, suggesting ongoing innovation in automotive composites.
Advancements and Innovations in Composite Materials
Business Activities and Restructuring within the Industry:
Increased Use of Composites in the Automotive Sector
There is a clear focus on developing new and improved composite materials. This includes researchers from WSU developing recyclable composites and new funding being awarded to develop coal-derived carbon fibres. Additionally, there's the development of new carbon fibre specifically for wind turbine blades, which could lead to cost and performance benefits. The use of bio-composite materials in automotive racing also highlights this trend.
Expansion of Manufacturing Capabilities and Investments
Business Activities and Restructuring within the Industry:
Business Activities and Restructuring within the Industry:
Several developments indicate an expansion of the composites manufacturing sector.
Spirit AeroSystems received $80 million in Defence Production Act funding to expand its domestic production.
Strata Manufacturing and Solvay completed construction of a new high-tech composites facility in Al Ain, signifying growth in advanced materials production.
Business Activities and Restructuring within the Industry:
Business Activities and Restructuring within the Industry:
Business Activities and Restructuring within the Industry:
The sources highlight significant business activities, including acquisitions and divestitures.
Scott Bader acquired Summit Composites, indicating consolidation within the materials supply chain.
Triumph Group is selling off its composites operations to Arlington Capital Partners, suggesting a strategic shift for this company.
This includes:
Construction:
* An architect is combining carbon fibre with bamboo to create a building "material of the future", and a UK architecture firm unveiled huge carbon fibre entry portals.
* Sports and Recreation: Examples include Fender teaming up with a sports car maker to create a carbon fibre guitar, the creation of a 3D printed skateboard using carbon fibre, the unveiling of the "world's first" 3D-printed unibody carbon fibre bike, and Jetman achieving a world first with a carbon fibre jetpack.
* Space Industry: A new partnership has been created to produce lightweight materials for the space industry.
* Marine: The mention of watching a time-lapse of the world’s largest 3D printed boat (while not explicitly stating it's composite) points towards advanced material use in marine applications.
Impact of External Factors:
Impact of External Factors:
Impact of External Factors:
The postponement of JEC World due to the coronavirus outbreak demonstrates how global events can significantly impact industry gatherings and potentially slow down networking and deal-making within the composites sector.6. Impact of External Factors:
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