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. (UDA, IJsselmuiden, Netherlands) was founded in 2022 with the goal of producing high-quality thermoplastic tapes through innovative methods. Since then, and with the addition of composite industry veteran and expert Rinus Prins, UDA has developed a patented fiber impregnation machine that enables the production of thermoplastic tapes from a wide range of raw materials — including carbon, glass, basalt and aramid fibers — combined with a wide range of polymers like polypropylene, polyethylene and polyamide.

UDA’s production method is based on a direct melt impregnation technique, where the polymer is fed to the impregnation unit by an extruder. The fibers, before meeting the polymer melt, are spread with a novel, controlled high-tension method. This results in various fiber and polymer combinations, which can be employed in many different and demanding applications. The company will market its tapes under the UD-A Tape brand name.

As the company continues to refine its production process — its equipment is currently delivering 300-mm-wide tapes — and develop new tape solutions the focus is now shifting toward scaling up manufacturing operations to meet growing demand. First commercial orders have been produced and delivered.

Future strategies will be shaped by market dynamics, growth potential and the speed of industry developments. According to UDA, current developments in hydrogen technology, in combination with UD-A Tapes, look promising. 

With all avenues for expansion still open, the company acknowledges that rapid growth may require forming partnerships with — or potentially transitioning operations to — a multinational enterprise to sustain its momentum and capitalize on global opportunities.