Trends in Composites Manufacturing
CIRA qualifies CMC structures for the reusable Space Rider
Italian team designs, builds and tests multiple large, complex thermal protection system structures made from patented ISiComp C/C-SiC ceramic matrix composites.
Ginger Gardiner
Senior Technical Editor, ÂÌñÏ×ÆÞ
ExxonMobil installs Proxxima resin system-based MST-Bar at own plastics plant in Mont Belvieu
Approximately 40,000 linear feet of Proxxima GFRP rebar was shipped and installed in three weeks to reinforce the plant’s heavily used roads, a display of confidence in ExxonMobil’s own product.
Read MoreFabrum, AMSL Aero and Stralis Aircraft successfully fill LH2 composite aviation tanks
Australian/New Zealand team makes significant step forward in the transition to zero-emission aviation.
Read MoreDLR rocket flight in ATHEAt program demonstrates CMC nose, movable body flaps
Successful flight tests heat-resistant components and innovative sensor technologies.
Read MoreCycle Inspect announces carbon fiber NDT certification program purpose-built for cycling industry
Full certification targets bicycle MRO professionals, offering comprehensive composite material theory, UT and inspection training that aligns with ASNT standards.
Read MoreAirbus, Leonardo and Thales forge leading European space player
An MOU will combine their space systems and services activities into a joint venture expected to launch in 2027, with pooled expertise, an annual turnover of ~€6.5 billion and ~25,000 employees.
Read MoreUplift360, Leonardo partnership turns EOL composite rotor blade into prototype drone arm
ChemR process successfully repurposes carbon fibers into a structural component, turning waste into a more secure, domestic resource for the U.K.
Read MoreFIDAMC expands composites R&D into new markets and advanced manufacturing centers
Pioneering technocenter advances RTM, thermoplastic composites, additive manufacturing, microwire, novel lighter weight LSP and more.
Ginger Gardiner
Senior Technical Editor, ÂÌñÏ×ÆÞ
Safran invests €350 million in Moroccan industrial LEAP engine footprint scale-up, extensions
Between 2026-2027, Safran begins construction for two LEAP engine MRO facilities, a LEAP-1A assembly line and expansion of three existing sites.
Read MoreExel Composites plant in India begins volume shipments of carbon fiber wind energy components
Joint venture Kineco Exel Composites India has reached full-scale production at the Banda facility, which is now shipping IEC 61400-5-certified flats, joiners and bolt fixtures to support major wind OEMs.
Read MoreAward-winning Oder river bridge cuts 500 tons of steel with CFRP tension cables
Developed by Carbo-Link and tested by Empa, the Oder Bridge near Küstrin is a heavy rail bridge using 88 CFRP tension members, enabling 120 km/hr train speeds with reduced weight and emissions.
Read MoreF1 team debuts bio-based carbon fiber on W16 rear wheel shields
The technically performant components outfitting the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team’s race car were developed using Syensqo resin with 30% bio-based materials.
Read MoreMel Composites materials, technical support enhances Aresa fishing vessel production efficiency
Mel delivered pre-processed structural components and engineering support for the four commercial vessels, reducing build time through workflow optimization and CNC-cut Aircell HR80 core integration.
Read MoreComposites end markets: Pressure vessels (2025)
H2 economy is set back by Trump policies, tariffs and funding pivot to defense and AI, but composite tanks remain a key segment with sales in CNG/RNG, growth in New Space and potential for H2-electric aviation.
Read MoreParis Air Show 2023 highlights
The Paris Air Show, one of the largest aerospace trade shows in the world, returned for the first time since 2019 and proved that the global aviation industry industry is very much alive and kicking.
Jeff Sloan
EVP, Content, ÂÌñÏ×ÆÞ
FAA reinstates partial certification authority to Boeing after safety review
As of Sept. 29, 2025, the FAA will allow Boeing limited authority to issue airworthiness certificates for some 737 Max and 787 jets following a strict and detailed safety and quality review.
Read MoreAvient, FSJ Tactical advance ballistic-rated composite wall panels
Fiberglass-reinforced ThermoBallistic panels for facility protection applications are capable of encapsulating projectiles and preventing harmful deflection and ricochet.
Read MoreMSP CNC metrology cuts Leonardo tiltrotor blade production time from 20 weeks to 3 days
Advanced manufacturing metrology demonstrates its prowess in addressing complex composite machining issues, increasing Leonardo’s carbon fiber part productivity by more than 4,500%, and eliminating scrap and fixture reliance.
Read MoreMaruHachi Corp. to develop CFRTP cryogenic rocket fuel tank
MaruHachi is selected by the Japanese government’s Space Strategic Fund, commencing joint development with University of Tokyo and Kanazawa Institute of Technology/ICC.
Read MoreSABIC composite hybrid battery cover enhances EV safety, efficiency
SABIC collaborated with Engel, Siebenwurst, Forward Engineering, Ensinger and Envalior to develop a thermoplastic composite EV battery cover, combining strong structural performance, flame retardancy and design efficiency.
Read MoreStartup Akvotransiro trials Wind2Water catamaran built from discarded wind turbine blades
Four-person prototype is one of many in-development hulls, floating docks and pontoons comprising bamboo composites and EOL wind blades re-engineered into reliable, environmentally conscious water vessels.
Read MoreMicrowave heating for more sustainable carbon fiber
Skeptics say it won’t work — Osaka-based Microwave Chemical Co. says it already has — and continues to advance its simulation-based technology to slash energy use and emissions in manufacturing.
Ginger Gardiner
Senior Technical Editor, ÂÌñÏ×ÆÞ
Syensqo, Teijin Carbon achieve aerospace qualification for composite resin
Resin infusion system Prism EP2400 achieves NCAMP qualification with Teijin Carbon’s advanced NCF and UD reinforcements.
Read MoreElectroformed barrier technology hits project milestones, use case potential
Under the LEEF project, leading edge protection layer for composite structures developed by Ultima Forma and Polar Technology is being considered for eVTOL/UAV rotor and propeller blades, aerofoils and outlet guide vanes.
Read MoreVerretex, Ryse Energy confirm use of rGF textiles as drop-in wind blade materials
Pilot trial at Ryse’s Spain facility required no alterations to production equipment or schedule when using the recycled glass fiber textile, with strength, stiffness and compliance targets achieved.
Read MoreIACC NODE, Lamáquina enable functional 3D printed composite boat
Asket, the student team’s first project, is a custom, one-piece vessel featuring a 3D printed hull, real-time sensor function and adaptive robotic control.
Read MoreUniSQ, iLAuNCH Trailblazer program drive digital twin innovation for composite repairs
Working with Boeing Australia, Memko and Dassault Systèmes, the University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ) has developed a digital twin via the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, digitizing processes that could lead toward more efficient and effective maintenance, repair and operations of future fleets.
Read MoreU.S. Air Force backs Continuous Composites in advancing FEA simulation for anisotropic CF3D structures
Development of this FEA tool could solve the gap in simulating high-performance composite parts under various conditions, with potential applications across aerospace, defense and UAV.
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