Lucintel’s Analysis of Natural Fiber Composites Market: Automotive to Drive Usage through 2016

Natural fiber composites—a subject of intensive technical research—are becoming more prevalent in use because of increasing environmental awareness and the materials’ relatively low cost and low density. The demand for component materials that are durable, reliable, lightweight, and with excellent mechanical properties is fueling the growing demand for natural fiber in various industries such as automotive and building and construction.

The natural fiber composite materials market is expected to grow to US $531.3 million in 2016 with an 11% CAGR over the next five years.In its new market study, Lucintel analyzes and presents its findings in its report “Natural Fiber Composites Market Trend and Forecast 2011–2016: Trend, Forecast and Opportunity Analysis.” Lucintel’s research indicates that the application of natural fiber composites has increased and is gaining preference over glass fiber. Increasing use of natural fiber composites in automotive applications is driving the market. Indeed, automotive is expected to remain the largest market through 2016. Several automotive components are now produced using natural composites, which are generally based on polyester or polypropylene resin and fibers such as flax, hemp, kenaf, or sisal.

The automotive industry’s adoption of natural fiber composites is led by price, weight reduction, and marketing incentives rather than technical demands. The range of products is no longer restricted to interior and non-structural components such as door panels or rear shelves. In terms of value shipment, Europe is expected to continue its dominance with more than 50% of the worldwide market. North America is expected to be the second-largest region and ROW third in terms of value shipment by 2016. Lucintel’s report provides detailed trend and forecast data for the natural fiber composites market; specifically, forecasts for material and end product applications from 2011‒2016. The report analyzes the drivers leading the demand in the natural fiber composites market, recent developments, Porter’s Five Forces model for the market, growth opportunities in natural fiber composites in applications, and more.

For a detailed table of contents and pricing information on this timely, insightful report, contact Lucintel at +1-972-636-5056 or via email at helpdesk@lucintel.com. Lucintel provides cutting-edge decision support services that help facilitate critical decisions with greater speed, insight, and cost efficiency. To find out more, please visit www.lucintel.com

Chemtreat to Set Up A Composite Technology Park to Manufacture Innovative Anti-Corrosion Products for Construction Industry

Chemtreat India is executing an Rs 25-crore capital expenditure plan to set up a composite technology park at Khopoli in Maharashtra. "We are setting up a composite technology park to manufacture innovative anti-corrosion products for the construction industry," Chemtreat India's Managing Director Mukul Gupta informed media persons the other day. The company has developed products which will replace natural elements such as wood and steel in the construction, Gupta said, adding that company is also developing alternative sustainable light-weight material for metro and bus coaches and aero-space industry. The first phase of the project is expected to cost Rs 20 crore in FY 12, and it will be financed through internal accruals and term loans. IDBI Bank has already sanctioned term loans worth Rs 8 crore, he added. The company will have manufacturing capacity of 1,200 kg per hour of artificial wood, 600 square meter per hour of composite board and 20 square meter per hour of artificial stone at its Khopoli unit. The company is launching a line of composites of artificial stone - a replacement for granite and marble, feather weight board-Plumaplank - a replacement for steel sheet, and Woody-Lenosa - a replacement for wood.

PPG Extends Partnership with Ebtech Industrial

PPG Industries' fiber glass business has apprised about the extension of its partnership with Ebtech Industrial, a global supplier of modular building solutions, by offering MIL-TOUGH(R) ICB (inorganic composite binder) blast/ballistic panels -- an innovative, lightweight and cost-effective alternative to steel-reinforced concrete for asset protection and blast mitigation.

In partnership with the Industrial Hardening and Protective Systems division of Ebtech Industrial Building Solutions (Ebtech), PPG is bringing a complete integrated building solution to the marketplace, addressing the demand for asset protection that extends beyond government and military needs.

"Our proven experience in delivering innovative, industry-leading modular building solutions for the toughest structural challenges makes us a leader in building protection solutions," said Mario Kyd, president of Ebtech. "Partnering with PPG allows us to be at the forefront -- on a global scale -- with this total integrated solution for asset protection and blast mitigation."

Mil-Tough ICB panel products -- part of PPG's portfolio of solutions for blast and ballistics applications -- were successfully marketed and commercialized with Ebtech in 2010. The blast/ballistic panels, which integrate unique ceramic concrete technology and composite construction techniques, were developed through PPG's government solutions cross-business sales initiative.

"When compared to other available technologies, these panels offer an innovative, lightweight and cost-effective building solution for the challenging asset-protection marketplace," according to Kevin Richardson, PPG market development manager for fiber glass. "We foresee a number of military, government, and commercial physical protection applications where these panels provide a unique value proposition for blast mitigation."

Mil-Tough ICB panels from PPG are custom fabricated from a precast platform at PPG's fiber glass manufacturing facility in Shelby, N.C., USA. The panels can be incorporated into a modular or liftable structure, containers, permanent structures (new or retrofit) and freestanding perimeter wall and barrier systems. Mil-Tough ICB building panel solutions are suitable for government, military and oil and gas market applications worldwide.

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ELG Invests in the Recycling of Carbon Fiber

With effect of September 21st, 2011, ELG Haniel GmbH of Duisburg (Germany) (ELG) has acquired 100% of the shares in Recycled Carbon Fiber Ltd. (RCF). RCF is the first company worldwide commercially operating in the field of recycling carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP) and the reclamation and processing of carbon fiber.

The company has its corporate seat in Coseley, West Midlands (UK). The commercial reclamation of carbon fiber was initiated by the former shareholder Roy Price, who has over the period of ten years steadily developed the project to marketability. In 2009 RCF set up its UK facility for the reclamation of carbon-fiber on a commercial scale and, thus, became the pioneer in this market segment.

The acquisition of this young recycling company provides ELG with new growth potential in the rising market for composite materials. It enables ELG to implement a sustainable and ecological concept for the reclamation of carbon-fiber by means of its patent protected technology. The feedstock material is to a large extent waste from the manufacturing processes of CFRP, which previously had to be either incinerated or sent to land-fill.

The company will be supervised by the present MD Stephen Line and will operate under the name of ELG Carbon Fiber Ltd. In close co-operation with the RCF management team, ELG will further explore the new business segment of carbon fiber and is confident to expand it to a global group in this future-oriented industry.

Huntsman to Further Expand Multifunctional Epoxy Resins Capacity and Capability

Huntsman Corporation informed about a major step towards expanding one of its key product lines by launching a multi-million dollar in-depth engineering study at its McIntosh, Alabama facility. Huntsman's expanded multifunctional resins capacity will serve the current and future needs of its customers in the aerospace and composite industries. Once completed, the new line will further boost global production of all types of multifunctional epoxy resins.

James Huntsman, President Advanced Materials Division, said, "Demand for multifunctional epoxy resins, as a replacement for aluminum and other materials and the forecasted needs of the aerospace industry are major factors influencing this decision. We are committed to our valued customers in the aerospace and high-end composite industries."

Huntsman continued, "These investments will bring enormous benefit and value to our customers around the world, helping them address some of the engineering challenges they face over the coming years to produce lighter, more efficient materials. I am also delighted this project will create hundreds of jobs at our McIntosh site."

LANXESS Invests EUR 15 Million in Its Glass Fiber Plant in Antwerp

LANXESS is investing EUR 15 million in its glass fiber plant in the Antwerp docklands. For the specialty chemicals company glass fibers are a key intermediate for the production of high-tech plastics. With the expansion, the actual annual capacity of 60,000 metric tons will increase by 10 percent. The announcement was made during a LANXESS High-Tech Plastics Day at the facilities for caprolactam and glass fibers in Belgium. With the investment the glass fiber plant will replace both furnaces.

“The high-tech plastics business is a major growth driver for LANXESS. There is attractive business potential in the global market arising from the increasing demand for modern mobility as well as from the electric and electronic markets,” stated Werner Breuers, member of the Board of Management of LANXESS AG. The global demand for high-tech plastics is expected to increase by roughly seven percent per year through 2020.

Just before summer an investment project of EUR 35 million to expand the production of the plastic intermediate caprolactam at the site in the Antwerp docklands was finalized. The production capacity of 200,000 metric tons per year will be increased by another 10 percent.

LANXESS has been investing substantial amounts in the expansion of its global production network for high-tech plastics during the last 18 months. Including the glass fibers expansion, recent investments for high-tech plastics account for EUR 90 million. LANXESS’ Semi-Crystalline Products (SCP) business unit is a leading supplier of premium high-tech plastics. New compounding facilities are being built in the United States and Asia. In the existing compounding plants investments are being made to increase capacity.

Increased TeXtreme Usage in Kitesurfing

North Kiteboarding has once again chosen to use TeXtreme to reinforce their latest models of the high-performance Select and Team Series Kiteboards. TeXtreme Spread Tow Fabrics have contributed in reducing weight, improving surface smoothness and enhancing stiffness of the boards.

“The unique Spread Tow structure of the TeXtreme carbon fabric results in benefits which no other carbon reinforcement can match. To meet our weight and stiffness requirements TeXtreme was an obvious choice”, says Jurgen May, Product Engineer at manufacturer Boards & More.

When developing a high-performance Kiteboard the technical demands are quite challenging, getting the rider preferences and high demands in balance with the manufacturing possibilities. From a manufacturing perspective, achieving the ideal balance lies in constructing a board that while being very responsive still retains control in all kinds of waters. This requirement places strong demands in terms of the carbon reinforcement to ensure that different levels of stiffness in different directions are provided.

To achieve the desired weight savings and required mechanical properties the best material proved to be an unbalanced TeXtreme Spread Tow Fabric, which ensures extreme stiffness in one direction.

Apple to Manufacture Colorful, Durable Carbon Fiber Devices

Apple's concept for coloring carbon or even glass fiber devices was revealed in a patent application published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office entitled "Composite Laminate having an Improved Cosmetic Surface and Method of Making Same," it describes a composite laminate placed over the frame of the device, including a "scrim layer," to allow a product like a MacBook Pro to be painted a variety of colors.

The application notes that carbon fiber composites offer many benefits, as they can serve as a strong, lightweight housing for electronic equipment. But carbon fiber composites are also typically black, and the fibers themselves are usually visible on the surface of the device. Apple said the fibers of such material are usually variable in construction, offering a varied appearance on the surface. As a result, carbon fiber can feature cosmetic imperfections that would reduce the aesthetic appearance of a device.

Apple's solution is a composite laminate that includes a plurality of sheets that could be colored. These sheets would be formed of fibers pre-impregnated with resin. The composite laminate surface placed on the outside of the device could allow it to retain a color, and an exterior scrim layer would give a device enclosure a "consistent and pleasing cosmetic surface," Apple said.

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Lincoln Composites Bags EUR 3.2 Million Contracts from Two Vietnamese Companies

Lincoln Composites has bagged contracts of worth EURO 3.2 million from two Vietnamese companies for supply of high-pressure composite tanks and storage modules. Lincoln Composites will supply 40 ft TITAN modules as well as 20 ft Smartstore modules using 450 litre TUFFSHELL cylinders to Petrovietnam Gas South and CNG Vietnam J-S Company. This is reportedly the third order to Petrovietnam.

The lightweight high-pressure modules will be used to transport compressed natural gas (CNG) to ceramic processing plants that require large consumption of gas at very high flow rate.

The TITAN modules contain 4 TITAN tanks, which are constructed from a high density polyethylene (HDPE) liner; a filament wound carbon fibre/epoxy composite shell, and a polyurethane outer coating. The 20 ft Smartstore modules act as an intermediate storage solution for regions where the roads do not allow the use of a 40 ft trailer.

Lucintel’s Report Outlines Double-Digit Growth for Carbon Fiber Industry: Market to Reach US $2.8 Billion by 2016

The global carbon fiber market has experienced significant growth over the last five years and is expected to continue its growth momentum and reach approximately US $2.8 billion by 2016 with a CAGR of 12% over the next five years.

Lucintel, a leading global management consulting and market research firm with thousands of clients, analyzes the global carbon fiber market and presents all findings in “Growth Opportunities in the Global Carbon Fiber Market 2011-2016” report.

Lucintel’s research indicates great demand for carbon fiber driven by new commercial aircraft such as the Boeing 787, Airbus A380, and A350 XWB; weight reductions in automobiles for greater performance and fuel efficiency; and growing use of carbon fiber in wind energy and offshore oil and gas development.

The global carbon fiber market’s anticipated double-digit growth through 2016 will be led by industrial and aerospace markets; however, the sporting goods market is likely to witness the lowest growth of 3.0%. The industrial market will be driven by wind energy, CNG tanks, civil structures, transportation, and various compound applications in the electrical and electronics industry. Carbon fiber prices expected to remain same because of supply demand stability over the next five years, however; greater competition from offshore suppliers such as from China and India, may ultimately drive down the cost of end products.

Research by Lucintel indicates brand loyalty will wane as industry fundamentals move toward a low-cost-to-serve model and new carbon fiber suppliers from several developing regions emerge.

The report provides trend scenarios during 2005-2010 and forecast statistics for 2011–2016; details the industry’s drivers and challenges; compares properties and prices; and highlights major carbon fiber suppliers. The report also describes the manufacturing process of carbon fiber, and more.

Additionally, another new Lucintel research report, “Worldwide Carbon Fiber Competitive Analysis and Leadership Study, 2011” examines and profiles seven of the world's leading carbon fiber producers. This report offers a full competitive analysis from target markets to product mapping, and from selling strategy to production capabilities.

For a detailed table of contents and pricing information on these timely, insightful reports, contact Lucintel at +1-972-636-5056 or via email at helpdesk@lucintel.com. To learn more, visit www.lucintel.com.

Augrid's Carbon Composite Technologies Signs Licensing Agreement with Convection Strategies, LLC

Augrid Global Holdings Corporation apprised that its subsidiary, Carbon Composite Technologies (CCT) has signed a world-wide Licensing Agreement with Convection Strategies, LLC (CSLLC). The two companies have worked for nearly two years to prepare marketing literature and perform physical testing of several composite fiber architectures for presentation to the several major wind turbine blade manufacturers.

CCT's patented technology allows the manufacturing of 100 meter and larger blades which are becoming required for use in wind farms being deployed in the oceans. The larger blades provide more electricity with a fewer number of towers and CCT's patented process for construction and curing allow for the blade to be manufactured as one piece and cured without the use of an autoclave, dramatically decreasing the time and material costs, resulting in a significantly less expensive final product.

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Persico Teams Up with Structura/IQ Holding to Create a New Thermoplastic PBT Composite Material

Italy-based Persico has teamed up with Structura/IQ Holding to create a new thermoplastic PBT composite material. For the material the company impregnates thermoplastic PBT with fibres such as glass, carbon and basalt. The resulting thermoformable material is recyclable, environmentally friendly and made without VOCs or toxic emissions.

Persico supplies the material in coils ready for thermoforming. The pre-forms is heated at temperatures in excess of 250°C, put into a cold male/female mould and left to cool down under pressure. The high crystallization temperature of the PBT makes the forming process extremely fast making the line's production potential very high.

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World’s Only Rapid Prototyping System Able to Jet 2 Materials at the Same Time to Produce Advanced Composite Materials Launched

Objet Ltd., the innovation leader in 3D printing for rapid prototyping and additive manufacturing, today revealed the Objet260 Connex, a compact and attractively priced addition to Objet’s family of multi-material 3D printers. The Objet260 Connex is based on the company’s patented inkjet 3D printing technology – the world’s only rapid prototyping system able to jet 2 materials at the same time. This technology allows users to select from a large range of composite materials when building 3D models, such as Objet’s recently released ABS-like material. The system can also print a model replica made of up to 14 individual materials in a single print run.

Commenting on the new 3D printer, David Reis, CEO for Objet said, “The compact Objet260 Connex brings our high-resolution, multi-material 3D printing to new levels of accessibility for front-line designers and engineers who demand the highest quality prototypes and true-product representation. And all this in a system that is quiet, reliable and small enough to run in the corner of any office.”

The Objet260 Connex allows users to create prototypes containing distinct material elements, such as rigid walls with flexible, rubber-like joints or models combining transparent and opaque parts.

Boeing Forecasts $150 Billion Market for 1320 New Passenger Airplanes in India

Boeing forecasts a $150 billion market for 1320 new passenger airplanes in India over the next 20 years as the economy aims for double-digit growth, stimulating strong demand for new and replacement airplanes.

"Robust growth with new economic prosperity amongst a massive Indian population, discretionary incomes, business progress and access to airports will increase airplane demand,” Boeing India President Dinesh Keskar said. "In 2011, the economy continues to do well. Indian air carriers are becoming profitable and we expect the GDP to maintain its upward trend in the long-term. As a result, both the air travel and air cargo markets will grow.” Keskar also said that airline revenue and yields were up, but high inflation and volatile fuel prices will play a pivotal role in the health of the industry.

Passenger traffic, which has reached 53.6 million domestic (fiscal 2011) and 13.1 million international, is expected to grow at 8.1 percent annually over the long-term.

“The economic and air-traffic growth will in turn stimulate demand for a variety of aircraft types,” Keskar said. “The need is great for new airplanes that can efficiently and profitably fly short and long-haul routes. This demand is driven by growth in developing and emerging cities, demand from low-cost carriers and the need to replace an aging fleet.”

The biggest demand will be for single-aisle airplanes. In that category is the Next- Generation Boeing 737, the most widely flown jetliner in the world. To keep up with demand, Boeing recently announced it will boost production to a record 42 737s per month by the first half of 2014.

Boeing airplanes currently dominate India’s long-haul international fleet, with 777s and 747s in service, soon to be joined by the 787 Dreamliner. “The super-efficient 787 will offer significant economic improvement for airlines, increased comfort for passengers and better environmental performance,” Keskar said.

India’s airlines have been growing rapidly by taking advantage of geography, demographics, airplane technology and well-coordinated growth and investment plans. Some carriers, like Air India also are looking for replacement airplanes as they retire aging and less-efficient jets. Boeing predicts that India-based airlines also will grow by responding to passenger preference for more flight choices, lower fares and direct access to a wider range of destinations.

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Ahlstrom Starts Production of Specialty Reinforcements for the Wind Energy Market in China

The production of glass fiber reinforcements, which is used among other things to strengthen wind mill blades, will be started by the fourth quarter 2011 at Ahlstrom's Binzhou plant in the Shandong province on China's eastern coast. Ahlstrom will install multiaxial machines to its existing Binzhou site, which currently manufactures transportation filtration materials and employs 170 people.

"China has become a global power house in wind energy and through this investment we can better serve our global and local customers in the country. This gives us a good platform for further growth in the fast growing wind energy markets in China and elsewhere Asia," says Laura Raitio, Executive Vice President, Building and Energy.

The wind energy market is estimated to grow at an annual rate of approximately 15 percent in China in the next five years. In 2010, Ahlstrom's total net sales grew by almost 50 percent in the Asia Pacific-region and the company made an acquisition of a filtration plant and announced a joint venture in China for the production of masking tape substrates and medical papers. In addition, the company announced an investment to wallcover materials manufacturing in China on June 14, 2011.

Ahlstrom's Building and Energy Business Area currently serves the European, North American and Asian wind energy markets from its plants in Mikkeli, Finland and Bishopville, South Carolina, USA.

Defence Minister Shri AK Antony Inaugurates DRDO’s Composite Propellant Processing Facility at Nasik, Maharashtra in India

Defence Minister Shri AK Antony has inaugurated the DRDO’s state-of-the-art composite propellant processing facility – ACEM (Advanced Centre for Energetic Materials) at Nasik in Maharashtra and dedicated the facility to the Nation. “I am happy to dedicate this modern propellant processing facility to the nation. I congratulate all of you for reaching this milestone. I am sure the team of young scientists, guided by their experienced colleagues will deliver world class rocket motors and requirements for various strategic projects. The responsibility of making this facility one of the best in the world and making it Advanced in every sense of the word lies collectively upon all of you”, Shri Antony said in his inaugural speech.

The facility has been set up by HEMRL (High Energy Materials Research Laboratory), a Pune based DRDO laboratory engaged in research and development of high energy materials including solid rocket propellants. Expressing satisfaction that most of the plant and machinery under embargo had been constructed indigenously. He stressed that to be more meaningful and to be sustained for a longer term, the indigenization process must be total and irreversible.

ACEM has been set up as a dedicated facility, to meet the requirements of composite propellants for solid rocket motors during their development phase as well as the limited series production. The facility is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and machinery operated remotely through PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) and SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition), thus, avoiding human exposure to hazardous processes.

DuPont Becomes World’s First Thin Film Solar Module Manufacturer to Earn LEED Gold Rating

DuPont, through its wholly owned subsidiary DuPont Apollo, informed that its Shenzhen, China, production facility has received a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold Certification for Existing Buildings, Operations and Maintenance (EB: O&M) from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). According to USGBC records, the facility is the first LEED certified thin-film photovoltaic module production facility and the first LEED-EB certified photovoltaic module manufacturing plant in the world to receive this accreditation. The gold certification is the latest recognition for DuPont Apollo’s environmental initiatives and is consistent with the DuPont goal to help reduce the world’s dependence on fossil fuels. DuPont Apollo specializes in silicon-based thin film photovoltaic solar modules.

“We believe that DuPont Apollo thin-film solar modules should come from a facility designed with environmental responsibility in mind,” said David Chu, chief executive officer -- DuPont Apollo. “We are very pleased to know that our efforts to maximize energy efficiencies in the daily operation of our production facility were recognized by USGBC, and we hope this is one of a number of actions by DuPont Apollo that sets an important example for other businesses. Thinking globally and acting locally to affect positive environmental change helps create a healthier working environment for our employees and the larger community, and becomes a principle that is key to continued, sustainable growth and to reducing dependence on fossil fuels.

Composite Technology Announces Line Installation Project in Scotland

Composite Technology Corporation (CTC) has apprised that Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission Ltd (SHETL) has selected and successfully installed ACCC Oslo conductor for a new line between St. Fergus and Peterhead in the northeast of Scotland.

The eleven kilometer, three-phase line operates at 132kV and is strung on a trident wood pole design. Installation of the conductor began in February 2011 and was successfully completed and the line energized in May 2011.

SHETL selected the ACCC 318 mm2Oslo conductor for this line because of its ability to run at higher temperatures than conventional conductors, bringing increased capacity to the line.

Stewart Ramsay, President of CTC Cable Corporation, commented: “We are very pleased that SHETL selected ACCC conductor for this project. We believe that the superior performance of ACCC conductor, including its higher capacity and the lowest line losses on any conductor available today, will bring real benefits to both the transmission company and its customers, and will contribute towards the UK meeting its CO2 emission reduction targets. We look forward to working with SHETL on other transmission network projects in the future.”

SHETL Group Design Manager Landel Johnston said: “This project is a significant investment in the electricity transmission infrastructure in Scotland, ensuring a safe and reliable electricity supply for years to come. We are always looking at innovative solutions and new developments within the industry worldwide and are delighted to be the first in the UK to install the ACCC® conductor on this strategic project in Scotland. It has been selected for this installation and will form part of an ongoing assessment as a possible future alternative for our numerous reconductoring projects if the technology proves cost effective operating on our network.

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REpower and Alerion CleanPower Sign Contract for 44 Megawatt Wind Farm Project in Italy

REpower Systems SE and Alerion CleanPower Spa, an Italian-based renewable energy company, signed a contract for a wind project in the South of Italy. REpower will deliver 13 3.4M104 wind turbines to San Marco in Lamis, a 44 megawatt (MW) wind farm situated north-east of Foggia. The turbines will have a rated output of 3.4 megawatts and a hub height of 80 meters each. REpower is responsible for supplying, installing and commissioning the turbines. The company will also provide service in line with a twelve years service agreement with Alerion CleanPower.

San Marco in Lamis wind farm is located close to REpower Italia’s main service center near Foggia and will be maintained directly from there. The Italian-based subsidiary of REpower Systems SE will start construction as early as the fall of 2011.

Andreas Nauen, CEO of REpower Systems SE, is pleased that REpower’s 3.XM series is well accepted on the Italian market: “This is the second contract for the 3.4M104 in Italy. It confirms the excellent market-fit of this turbine and strengthens our market presence in Italy.”

Carlo Schiapparelli, Managing Director of REpower Italia S.r.l., comments, “We are delighted to be working with Alerion again. Our first project, Ordona, with 17 REpower MM92 turbines was completed in 2007. This second project confirms that Alerion – an important client for REpower Italia with a high level of renewable energy expertise – regards us as reliable supplier.”

Lamborghini and Callaway Teams Up to Create a Super Strong, Lightweight Golf Club

Lamborghini and Callaway have teamed up to create a super strong, lightweight golf club. Using forged composite to make the Razr Hawk R11 (the same material used in the Lamborghini Sesto Elemento Concept); this material is a lighter, stronger, and more precise version of traditional woven carbon fiber or titanium. Boasting a higher threshold for standing up to extreme conditions, this composite material features 500,000 intertwined turbo static fibers per inch.

Offering an improved overall performance, the Razr Hawk R11 is sleek and polished, not to mention lighter and stronger. In fact, tests have shown that this club can hit a tee shot of up to six yards longer than what its predecessor, the R11, could. And if you’re at all competitive, that six yards could mean the difference between first and second place.