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Composites

TenCate qualifies as auto CFRTP supplier

TenCate Advanced Composites has announced that it has been successful in qualifying to supply carbon fibre reinforced thermoplastic (CFRTP) composite material for a leading global automotive customer.

12th December 2012

Innovation in Textiles
 |  Almelo

Transport/​Aerospace, Industrial, Protective

 

The news comes just one week after Japanese composites manufacturer Teijin announced that it had started operating its pilot plant for the fully integrated production of carbon fibre reinforced thermoplastic (CFRTP) components at its Matsuyama Factory in Ehime Prefecture, Japan. Teijin’s mass-production technology facilitates the integrated manufacturing process from carbon fibre to moulded composite products within one minute, said to be the ideal cycle time required by car manufacturers for vehicle mass production.

TenCate says that the customer-specific development phase for a structural automotive application has been completed, marking the end of the qualification process, structural integrity tests of the final product begin.

The Netherlands headquartered company says its strategic focus will initially centre on structural parts and other components which are crucial for the integrity and safety of the vehicle. The demand for lightweight structures in hybrid and electric cars for daily use will grow in the coming years and TenCate says this will be a gradual process that will evolve through co-development with partners that supply the automotive industry in close cooperation with OEMs.

Dave Clarke, global group director, TenCate Advanced Composites said: "The strategic goal of TenCate is to use our leading position in thermoplastic composites and established industrial manufacturing capabilities to generate solutions for the automotive industry. TenCate has achieved its current position over the past few decades mainly in the aerospace industry with its TenCate Cetex product portfolio.”

“The production of lightweight vehicles in larger volumes will become reality by using fibre-reinforced thermoplastics. These advanced materials can substantially speed up and industrialize manufacturing processes for parts and components. Carbon fibre-reinforced composites will in the future no longer be used only in Formula 1 and high-end sports car production, but also be a critical part of mainstream, modern and fuel-efficient vehicles".

TenCate Advanced Composites is a leader in the development and production of thermoplastic and thermoset prepreg composites for various industries. Its product portfolio is incorporated in automotive products, medical equipment and numerous other applications. The company has production facilities and operations in North America, Europe and Asia.

 

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