Hannah Mason

Hannah Mason Technical Editor

Thermoplastics

Composites end markets: Sports and recreation (2025)

The use of composite materials in high-performance sporting goods continues to grow, with new advancements including thermoplastic and sustainability-focused materials and automated processes.

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Infusion

Modular, curved racing track design enabled by composites and adaptive molds

X-Track worked with bespline to develop an easy-to-install, reusable, customizable composite sandwich panel alternative to dirt BMX and motorcross tracks.

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Sustainability

PUR composite sandwich panels for 3D automotive parts, high-volume panels and more

At its U.S. sites, Ascorium produces glass fiber/PUR 3D parts via semi-automated molding, high-volume flat panels via a continuous line while working toward bio-based PUR and recycling.

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Aerospace

On the radar: Innovations in composite battery enclosures

A look at recently reported design, material and process innovations for composites-intensive battery enclosures, developed to support the ramp-up of EV and AAM vehicles.

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Application

Large-format AM speeds plug production for manufacture of composite boat molds

Hungarian manufacturer Rapid Prototyping transitioned its conventional foam milling process to 3D printing to produce faster, higher quality, recyclable foam plugs and composite boat molds.

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KraussMaffei expands composites, plastics capabilities at Brighton, Michigan facility

The site recently installed a powerPrint large-format AM system, thermoforming machine and more to serve customers in North America.

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Post Cure: Continuous fiber injection reinforces 3D printed parts

Reinforce 3D’s postprocessing technology injects continuous carbon fibers and liquid resin into parts with tubular cavities, enabling reinforcement and integral joining for components like a satellite antenna support. 

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Marine

Evolving natural fiber technology to meet industry sustainability needs

From flax fiber composite boats to RV exterior panels to a circularity model with partnerships in various end markets, Greenboats strives toward its biomaterials and sustainable composites vision in an ever-changing market.

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IDI Composites opens new global headquarters, manufacturing and technology center

The Noblesville, Indiana, facility includes SMC and BMC manufacturing, an R&D center and the company’s corporate headquarters.

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Consumer

Self-balancing electric mobility vehicle developed by Genny Factory SA, RadiciGroup, Acerbis

The two-wheeled personal transporter was redesigned from metal to composite and plastic components to reduce weight while meeting performance standards.

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Thermoplastics

Asahi Kasei, Aquafil develop 3D printing material combining cellulose nanofiber, recycled PA6

Available as a pellet or filament, the material is said to exhibit formability and strength properties suitable for automotive and aerospace applications.

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Work In Progress

Streamlining aerospace composites operations with RFID tracking

Tier 1 Sekisui Aerospace’s implementation of RFID tracking, sensors and Xemelgo software at two of its production facilities led to increased productivity, eliminating bottlenecks and reducing labor costs.

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