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(Stroke-on-Trent, U.K.), a supplier of advanced composites materials, equipment and training has announced an exclusive U.K. distribution agreement with (Valliquerville, France), a provider of natural fiber solutions for applications in the composites market.

This partnership will reportedly enable customers to purchase environmentally friendly and sustainable alternatives to traditional composite reinforcements such as glass fiber. As well as being environmentally friendly, these natural fiber products are said to feature excellent vibration damping properties. The range includes Eco-Technilin Fibrimat nonwoven reinforcements, FlaxDry woven reinforcements, FlaxTape unidirectional reinforcements and FlaxPreg prepreg reinforcements.

Eco-Technilin says its dry flax reinforcements are suitable for most laminating processes, including hand layup, vacuum bagging, press molding and resin infusion. FlaxPreg products are uncured epoxy-matrix, UD flax prepregs suitable for autoclave, oven or hot-press cure. The materials can be used to produce a wide range of products, including skis, snowboards, canoes, kayaks, architectural moldings and vehicle moldings from vehicle interior trim to external body panels.

“Manufacturers are looking for ways to use more sustainable materials in their production and consumers are keener than ever to buy products with reduced environmental impact; this is particularly true in sectors such as outdoor sports and leisure equipment where consumers tend to be most closely connected to their natural world,” says Matt Statham, director at Easy Composites.

Francois Barbier, sales director at Eco-Technilin, adds, “With their expertise in composites, their powerful website and high-quality tutorials, we feel that Easy Composites is the ideal partner to help us in our mission and we are delighted to team up with them to expand even more the use of natural fibers in composites.”