Advanced composites producer Hexcel has launched a new site for the development of a new carbon fibre plant and announced capacity expansions at nearby weaving and prepreg facilities in France

At a special ceremony in yesterday, the company welcomed guests to the site in Roussillon where it will invest $250 million in the construction of a carbon fibre plant. Hexcel presented plans for the new facility to local dignitaries, customers, media representatives and Hexcel employees.

The new carbon fibre facility will occupy a 37 acre site at the Osiris Chemicals Industry Platform in Roussillon and will be comprised of both polymerization and carbonization lines.

The plant is part of Hexcel’s on going worldwide investment to create a diversified and robust supply chain to support aerospace customers’ growing demand for carbon fibre composites.

Nick Stanage, Hexcel Chairman, CEO and President, presided over the event with the support of André Vallini, French Secretary of State for Territorial Reform and Didier Evrard, Airbus EVP and Head of Programs.

“Together with our capacity expansions in the U.S., this new facility in France will strengthen our global supply chain by adding precursor and additional carbon fibre capacity in Europe,” Mr Stanage said.

Airbus A350 XWB

Carbon fibre from the new plant will be supplied to Hexcel customers including Airbus for the A350 XWB and Safran for the CFM LEAP engine. Construction of the new plant will begin by September 2015 and is expected to employ 120 people when fully operational in early 2018.

Hexcel currently employs close to 1000 people in France. The Roussillon facility is located close to Hexcel’s weaving and prepreg manufacturing facilities near Lyon. At yesterday’s event, Mr Stanage announced further investments totalling $22 million at these existing facilities to include capacity expansions at Hexcel’s carbon fibre weaving plant at Les AvenieÌ€res, and an additional resin impregnation line in Dagneux, Montluel. The additional investments are expected to create 100 more jobs by 2018.

Didier Evrard, Airbus EVP and Head of Programs commented: “We are delighted by Hexcel's decision to build this new carbon fibre plant in Europe. This significant investment will further secure the A350 XWB production ramp-up and demonstrates the high level of Hexcel’s commitment to the success of the A350 XWB program”.

Hexcel Corporation is a leading advanced composites company. It develops, manufactures and markets lightweight, high-performance structural materials, including carbon fibers, reinforcements, prepregs, honeycomb, matrix systems, adhesives and composite structures, used in commercial aerospace, space and defence and industrial applications such as wind turbine blades.

www.hexcel.com