TenCate Advanced Composites North America has expanded into a facility adjacent to its Morgan Hill (California), USA site. The new ‘world class' space will encompass thermoplastic composites manufacturing, R&D labs and office space.

TenCate produces mainly thermoplastic and thermoset composites to the aerospace industry and the company says there is a growing demand for durable lightweight composites, both from the traditional composites markets and other industrial sectors.  

TenCate says the expanded facility represents an important addition to its thermoplastic composite manufacturing capabilities and that thermoplastic composites offer a unique combination of processability and durability, which make them well suited to serve applications ranging from aerospace to high-end industrial markets such as oil and gas and transportation.  

Joe Morris, President at TenCate Advanced Composites North America states: "This additional facility will provide the needed space for growth of TenCate in the composites market while allowing flexibility for continued expansion in thermoplastic composite manufacturing".

TenCate will maintain its current Morgan Hill thermoset manufacturing and corporate offices. The adjacent facility in Morgan Hill CA will be specifically focused on thermoplastic composite manufacturing and research and development. TenCate Advanced Composites is a leading prepreg manufacturer of thermoset and thermoplastic composites serving the aircraft, satellite and industrial markets. It has facilities in Europe and North America.

Parent company Royal Ten Cate (TenCate) is a multi-national company that combines textile technology with related chemical processes and material technology in the development and production of functional materials with distinctive characteristics. Systems and materials from TenCate come under four areas of application: safety & protection, space & aerospace, infrastructure & the environment, and sport & recreation. TenCate occupies leading positions in protective fabrics, composites for space and aerospace, anti-ballistics, geosynthetics and synthetic turf. The company is listed on the NYSE Euronext (AMX).