Source | Fluency Business Group

 (Fluency, Chesterfield, U.K.), a global consultancy specializing in driving growth within the advanced engineering and materials sectors, has released the “Strategic Guide to Market Mapping in Composites & Advanced Materials,” a practical framework designed to help leaders, investors and innovators visualize the structure of fragmented markets and turn that insight into action.

The guide systematically identifies actors, technologies and value flows across global supply chains. It shows how mapping can expose hidden dynamics, from consolidation signals and innovation bottlenecks to regional policy impacts and adoption gaps.

Composites and advanced materials markets are structurally fragmented, spanning diverse sectors from aerospace and automotive to wind, marine and hydrogen infrastructure. Traditional market reports often capture only part of the picture, focusing on growth forecasts or financial metrics, while missing the relationships, bottlenecks and interdependencies that shape real-world outcomes.

Fluency Exchange’s guide provides a step-by-step methodology to help decode this complexity. It includes:

• Segmentation frameworks to balance vertical sector insight with horizontal technology tracking
• Actor mapping models to identify key players, roles and ownership structures
• Value chain positioning to highlight where margin and control truly sit
• Technology readiness overlays to pinpoint adoption barriers and innovation gaps
• Geographic context to align mapping with regional policy and industrial cluster activity.

The guide demonstrates how mapping can shape M&A strategies, investment theses and policy initiatives through applied examples in wind energy, marine and thermoplastics.

Fluency Exchange has developed its methodology through years of consultancy work in the global advanced materials sector, supporting OEMs, Tier suppliers, investors and policy bodies. This guide consolidates that expertise into a structured reference that leaders can apply directly to their markets.

The “Strategic Guide to Market Mapping in Composites & Advanced Materials” is now available for .

Close-up of Greenflow HM-P16 hybrid flow mesh product, showing the pink perforated P16 release film bonded to the underside of Expo-Net’s green resin flow mesh. Source (All Images) | Expo-Net Danmark A/S

 (Hjørring, Denmark) is promoting its range of extruded thermoplastic resin flow meshes, which improve infusion molding productivity and the quality of large fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) components. The company is also highlighting Greenflow HM-P16, a novel high-productivity “hybrid” flow mesh product.

Greenflow HM-P16 was developed in collaboration with a release film producer. One hundred percent recyclable, the hybrid flow mesh combines Expo-Net’s precision extruded green polypropylene (PP) resin flow mesh with a perforated PP release film, coextruded in a standard pink color; the film has a perforation hole diameter of ~0.5 mm, with holes spaced ~3.5 mm apart.  The release film is bonded to the underside of the green resin flow mesh, so both the release film and the flow mesh are dry laid at the same time in the mold, a benefit to large infused part producers. 

Greenflow HM-P16 was developed in response to OEM customers in the wind energy and marine sectors who are constantly looking for ways to improve vacuum infusion productivity of very large FRP composite parts without compromising quality. Development trials successfully demonstrated that using Greenflow HM-P16 significantly reduces pre-infusion mold layup time; depending on the size and complexity of a component, several hours can be saved, improving productivity and reducing overall production costs, while still providing the quality benefits provided by resin flow meshes.  

The perforated release film used for Greenflow HM products can be made from either PP or high-density polyethylene (HDPE). Depending on the specific infusion application and individual customer needs, the preferred release film type is bonded to either a standard or custom-made Expo-Net flow mesh grade.

Technical information about the resin flow meshes produced by Expo-Net, which includes comparative infusion time and resin flow data between different grades, is available in its “Vacuum Infusion Resin Flow Mesh Technical Processing Guide,” which helps manufacturers to better understand the rheological impact of a specific flow mesh in different sections of a mold and select the best flow mesh grades for the laminate design and shape of the FRP part being infused.   

In addition to these products, Expo-Net provides flexible, responsive and reliable customer service. The business is committed to an ongoing program to improve sustainability and achieving net zero. 

Source | ContiTech

Continental Corp. USA’s group sector (Fairlawn, Ohio, U.S.) presents Thunderbolt SilentSync composite sprockets to optimize the drive performance and reduce system cost for demanding synchronous belt applications.

Engineered from a patented high-strength material (U.S. Patents 10865868, 10989293, 11015694), the carbon fiber-reinforced sprockets offer up to 80% weight reduction compared to steel counterparts, reducing rotational inertia and easing installation, especially in vertical shaft applications. Thunderbolt SilentSync provides high durability with more than 200,000 hours of combined lab testing and 5 years of successful field operation in industries ranging from HVAC to food processing.

“Our engineering team developed Thunderbolt SilentSync with real-world challenges in mind,” says Joe Glandorf, head of product management, power transmission solutions, industrial solutions Americas at ContiTech. “From energy savings to improved workplace safety, these sprockets deliver real operational value, whether you’re upgrading existing systems or designing new ones.”

Thunderbolt sprockets, developed and produced by ContiTech in the Americas region and specifically for this region, are currently available in a helical offset tooth (HOT) construction. Future plans include straight tooth profiles as well as large-diameter Thunderbolt sprockets designed for air-cooled heat exchanger (ACHE) applications where weight savings are beneficial.  

In addition to performance, customization is a cornerstone of the Thunderbolt SilentSync line. Customers can tailor designs for their power transmission needs while benefiting from improved handling, reduced shipping and storage costs, and extended equipment longevity due to lower overhung weight. The combination of the Thunderbolt sprocket and the SilentSync belt yields up to 30% less drive conversion cost as compared to drives with traditional metal sprockets.

Thunderbolt SilentSync composite sprockets are already being deployed in commercial and industrial applications. ContiTech’s application engineering team is available to assist in evaluating suitability, life prediction analysis and design customization.

Source | AGY

AGY (Aiken, S.C., U.S.), in collaboration with custom-engineered thermoplastic compounds developer (Lugoff, S.C., U.S.), has resulted in the development of nylon polyamide 12 (PA12) reinforced with AGY’s S2 Glass fiber, imparting a combination of strength, toughness and processing versatility.

The S2 Glass-reinforced PA12 provides up to a 15% increase in tensile strength, 13%+ improvement in tensile and flexural modulus, a 23%+ increase in elongation at break, a 25%+ improvement in impact strength and the ability to produce transparent/translucent parts in PA12. The co-development addresses the growing demand for high-performance TPC across aerospace, automotive, electronics and medical device markets. 

Ryan Divens, director of business development for Orion Compounding, notes that the material will enable customers to design parts with both high performance and distinctive visual properties.

Source | Teijin Carbon, A&P Technology

Teijin Carbon (Wuppertal, Germany) and A&P Technology (Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.), have jointly developed IMS65 PAEK Bimax biaxial fabric, a rate-enabling solution using Teijin Carbon’s Tenax TPUD IMS65 PAEK product, a thermoplastic unidirectional (UD) tape. Bimax is designed to meet growing demand for scalable, high-speed production of composites in aerospace, space, defense and other evolving markets.

Tenax TPUD IMS65 PAEK — a high-quality UD tape based on polyaryletherketone (PAEK) resin — is slit into narrow widths and braided by A&P Technology into a 65"-wide +/-45° fabric. The +/-45° braid architecture has minimal crimp, offering a high translation of tape properties while providing optimal drapability for complex geometries. With a fiber areal weight of 184 gsm and 34% PAEK content, IMS65 PAEK Bimax enables out-of-autoclave processing and vacuum bag only consolidation, thus reducing manufacturing time while enhancing mechanical performance and impact resistance.

IMS65 PAEK Bimax fabric’s features mentioned above translate into:

• High fiber volume and low crimp for high mechanical performance
• Extreme drapability for deep-draw parts
• Reduced layup time per layer. The wide fabric enables quick laydown of biaxial reinforcement
• Native air evacuation pathways for optimal consolidation of thick components
• Room temperature preform placement with spot tacking to simplify production workflows.

According to partners, the braided fabric meets or exceeds the properties of existing National Center for Advanced Materials Performance (NCAMP)-qualified PAEK prepregs, offering a robust and scalable solution for next-generation composite structures. 

Source | Bedford Reinforced Plastics

Bedford Reinforced Plastics (Bedford, Pa., U.S.) introduces the glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) screenwall, a tongue-and-groove panel that is engineered to provide robust security and containment solutions, particularly for the wastewater treatment industry.

The composite screenwall is designed to provide perimeter protection while also limiting exterior visibility, which enhances security for facilities that prefer to remain out of public view. Its solid-panel surface, combined with a tongue-and-groove design, make scaling the security wall nearly impossible as there are no handholds or footholds to aid unauthorized entry. Screenwalls can be integrated with a swing-hinge door to provide access for authorized personnel. The screenwall can withstand wind gusts up to 120 mph, ensuring a reliable barrier even in the harshest conditions.

In addition to security, Bedford’s screenwall is an ideal solution for secondary containment within the wastewater industry. Unlike metal and wood, Bedford’s GFRP screenwall will not rust, rot, warp or corrode, making it a durable choice for indoor and outdoor applications, especially for environments with water or corrosive chemicals. NSF-certified options and UV-resistant ReadyShield coating are also available.

Bedford’s screenwall panels are available in 2' increments with a 3" width. End caps and top caps ensure a seamless aesthetic. Stainless steel hardware is included for door hinges.

Addcomposites Oy (Helsinki, Finland), a composites manufacturing automation company, has launched a comprehensive suite of free, browser-based composite design software that removes traditional cost barriers preventing smaller organizations from accessing professional-grade engineering tools. The launch addresses a critical gap, where traditional software licensing costs averaging $320,000 annually have excluded 95% of potential users from advanced design capabilities.

The software suite — comprising AddStack for laminate design, Resin Flow Simulator for infusion optimization and Composite Rotor Design Suite (CRDS) for high-speed motor applications — targets growth segments including electric vehicle composites (17.7% CAGR) and aerospace applications (12.8% CAGR). All three applications run directly in web browsers without installation, requiring only simple registration.

AddStack optimizes laminate design through an intuitive visual interface featuring state-of-the-art material databases, real-time mechanical property calculations and multiple failure analysis criteria including Tsai-Wu and maximum stress theories. The platform eliminates complexity traditionally associated with composite laminate optimization while maintaining professional-grade accuracy.

Resin Flow Simulator addresses one of composite manufacturing’s costliest challenges — failed infusions. With VARTM processes achieving only 40-50% fiber volume fraction compared to an optimal 62%, the simulator provides predictive visualization of resin flow patterns, identifies potential dry spots before production and optimizes inlet/vent positioning to prevent the material waste plaguing 5.7% of industry production.

CRDS targets the emerging $3.2 billion high-speed motor components market, enabling design of composite sleeves for motors up to 200,000 rpm. The platform integrates mechanical stress analysis, electromagnetic field calculations, thermal management and rotordynamic behavior prediction.

“We’re witnessing a fundamental shift in how engineering software is delivered and consumed,” notes James Kuligoski, head of business development and co-founder of Addcomposites. “Our early adopter program ensures we’re building solutions shaped by actual user needs rather than assumptions.”

Addcomposites’ Founding User Program offers exclusive benefits for organizations registering before Nov. 30, 2025:

• Priority access to new features and modules before general release
• Free certification programs valued at €2,000 per user for mastering composite design workflows
• Direct influence on product roadmap through quarterly advisory sessions with the development team
• Dedicated support channel with 24-hour response guarantee
• “Founding User” recognition in the platform and marketing materials.

The initiative targets the potential user base of 20,000-30,000 academic users across 40-plus university programs globally, plus 50,000-plus professionals seeking accessible training tools as the industry faces 622,000 unfilled manufacturing positions.

According to the Addcomposites, companies implementing digital design tools demonstrate 50-64% cost reductions, 15-20% production rate increases and 50% waste reduction. “Educational institutions particularly struggle with software access,” says Pravin Luthada, CEO and and co-founder of Addcomposites. “Universities operate with $25 million in equipment but receive NSF grants of only $500,000-3 million. Free, professional-grade tools enable them to train the next generation of engineers without compromising on capabilities or forcing students to learn on outdated systems.”

The platform supports emerging applications critical to sustainability goals, including wind turbine blade optimization, lightweight automotive structures achieving 40% weight reduction, and battery enclosures for EVs.

Taniq’s filament winding machine with AFP head. Source (All Images) | Taniq

 (Rotterdam, Netherlands), specializing in software and robotic winding machines, announces a hybrid solution for composites manufacturing that combines high-speed filament winding with automated fiber placement (AFP).

This hybrid technology enables manufacturers to apply continuous fiber layers at high speed, while also placing targeted reinforcement in high-stress zones. It optimizes material use and product performance. Traditionally two separate processes, Taniq has merged filament winding and AFP into one flexible system in an effort to increase production efficiency and unlock new design possibilities.

At the heart of this development is Taniq’s robotic filament winding machine, extended with an AFP head. The entire process is powered by TaniqWind Pro, a proprietary design and manufacturing software, which supports both winding paths and fiber placement programming in a unified digital workflow.

In addition to improving performance and material efficiency, Taniq reports the hybrid system’s ability to improve strength-to-weight ratios, reinforcing critical areas without overbuilding the part and thus reducing material consumption. Replacing entire high-angle helical filament-wound layers with local reinforcement layers results in faster production cycles, and a simplified software integration ensures a smooth transition from design to analysis to production.

“Taniq has been developing hybrid systems since 2006, combining high-speed filament winding with precise placement of rubber layers and textile tapes.” notes Soren Blomaard, Taniq co-founder. “This new system, combining filament winding with AFP, is a logical next step for us, and we are already exploring integration of more processes.”

Source | Huntsman Advanced Materials

Huntsman Advanced Materials (The Woodlands, Texas, U.S.) a division of Huntsman Corp., has announced the launch of a newly reformulated range of Araldite epoxy adhesives that are free from intentionally added Bisphenol A (BPA) and substances classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic or reprotoxic (CMR) under the EU’s CLP regulation.

The initial phase of the rollout includes the launch of Araldite 2014-3, Araldite 2020-1 and Araldite AV 138 M-2, which are now available in Europe. Additional products including Araldite 2012-1, Araldite 2013-2 and Araldite 2015-2 will become commercially available in the region starting October 2025.

For more than 80 years, Araldite adhesives have supported a wide range of applications in transportation, marine, medical, wind energy and industrial manufacturing. The products are widely used in the production and assembly of buses, trucks, rail vehicles, filtration systems and more.

As part of its broader sustainability strategy, Huntsman has introduced a post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic cartridge, which will be incorporated into some products within the new range. This PCR-plastic cartridge helps reduce CO_â‚‚ emissions by up to 36% compared to similar cartridges made from virgin plastic materials.

The reformulated Araldite adhesives are available through Huntsman’s established network of distribution partners, including Bodo Möller Chemie, Samaro, Antala, Emmanuele Mascherpa, Viba and Biesterfeld. The current product range will remain available until approximately the end of 2026.

Source | Fibre Glast

Fibre Glast Developments Corp. LLC (Brookville, Ohio, U.S.) launches System 2001 laminating epoxy resin, a formulation designed to enhance the performance, strength and ease of use in composites fabrication. 

An evolution of the company’s System 2000 epoxy, System 2001 delivers enhanced capabilities that meet the increasing demands of industries such as marine, automotive, aerospace and high-performance hobbyist applications. With its balance of user-friendly handling and professional-grade performance, System 2001 is ideal for fabricating composite structures where strength, precision and consistency are essential.

System 2001 achieves thorough saturation of fiberglass, carbon fiber, Kevlar and other reinforcements with little effort. It provides high mechanical strength and durability for demanding composite parts. A clearer finish offers improved clarity for high-visibility projects where aesthetics matter. The epoxy is also capable of withstanding greater thermal stress, even after standard room temperature cure.

The 3:1 mix ratio laminating epoxy resin is cold temperature stable, formulated to resist crystallization during storage to ensure consistent performance in variable climates. It is also true full room temperature cure for all three hardeners.