Lucintel’s Report Outlines Double-Digit Growth for Carbon Fiber Industry: Market to Reach US Dollar 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 fibers 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 http://www.lucintel.com.

About Lucintel
Lucintel, headquartered in Dallas, TX (USA), is a premier global market research and strategic management consulting firm, established for over ten years, with over 1000 clients worldwide. Lucintel provides actionable results that deliver significant added value and long term growth to clients from various industries such as aerospace consulting, Automotive Market, wind energy, sporting goods, composite materials, transportation and chemical consulting.

Volkswagen to Invest One Billion Euros in Wind Energy

According to the German language edition of the Financial Times, Volkswagen will become a large investor in two offshore windparks in the North Sea. The investment accomplishes two objectives: to help the car manufacturer meet its renewable energy goals for 2020 as well as give a boost to Germany's flagging wind power sector.

While Germany has been a leader in solar energy the past decade, wind power has been a different story. Ambitious projects to build wind power farms in the North Sea have suffered from the lack of investors who saw the proposed projects as too risky. Volkswagen had been in talks with wind power developers for several years but had hesitated to commit to the industry. But the moves of other companies, including the American private equity firm Blackstone, helped open the door to increased investment. Blackstone closed a deal on one wind farm last month. Now WV is set to invest in two wind power farms, including one 60 miles (95 kilometers) north of Bokum (pictured left), an island off of Germany's northwestern coast.

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Gamesa and Iberdrola Jointly Resolve to End Their Strategic Agreement for Developing Wind Farms

Gamesa and Iberdrola each gave official notice to Spain's National Securities Market Commission (CNMV) that they have agreed to unwind their strategic alliance in wind farm development (1) due to the global economic downturn, which has substantially changed market conditions, and the companies’ respective strategies.

The strategic agreement, originally signed on 13 June 2008 and amended on 23 September 2009, envisaged a series of cross-linked options on some Gamesa wind farms in Spain and other countries in Europe, as well as the possibility of joint development and operation of wind farm projects in said areas.

Notwithstanding today's announcement, Gamesa and Iberdrola, world leaders in their industries, hope to continue working together in the future to bolster their position in the wind energy business, as they have done for the past 15 years in a range of international markets.

The strategic agreement was signed by Iberdrola Renovables, S.A., Gamesa Energia, S.A. Unipersonal and Gamesa Corporacion Tecnologica, S.A. (“Gamesa”). As a result of the merger by absorption of Iberdrola Renovables, S.A. (acquired company) by Iberdrola, S.A. (acquiring company), Iberdrola, S.A. became a party to the strategic agreement.

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Elastomeric Coating Bag Which Can Protect Planes from Bombs in Passenger Luggage Designed

Academicians from the University of Sheffield working within University spinout company Blastech Ltd and an international team of scientists have designed a bag, which can protect planes from bombs in passenger luggage.

The bag, named the Fly-Bag, features multiple layers of novel fabrics, composites and coatings and is designed to be filled with passenger luggage and then placed in the hold of a plane. If there were a bomb in the luggage in the bag which exploded during the flight, the resulting blast would be absorbed by the bag due to its complex fabric structure, preventing damage to the plane. Fundamental to the design of the bag is the internal elastomeric coating and impregnation of fabric with Shear Thickening Fluids (STF).


STFs work by increasing in viscosity in response to impact. Under normal circumstances, the particles in STFs repel each other slightly, however following sudden impact, the extra energy in the system proves stronger than the repulsive forces, causing the particles to clump together in structures called hydroclusters, which bump into each other, consequently thickening the fluid.

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.

BEFUT to Build Carbon Fiber Composite Materials Manufacturing Plant

BEFUT International Co., Ltd. a developer, manufacturer and distributor of wire and cable products in China, has apprised that it has been selected as an anchor client in the Puwan New Area development zone, where it will build a new facility to develop carbon fiber composite materials. Puwan New Area, a 1045.6-kilometer economic zone, was created for the purpose of fostering research and development projects and to serve as a headquarters for technology innovation within China. The economic zone is located near the major port of Dalian. In a highly competitive process, the government selected BEFUT as one of its anchor tenants and is considered one of the ten key projects within the area.

Mr. Hongbao Cao, Chairman and CEO, commented, "We are pleased to enter this agreement with the Puwan New Area government and to situate development of our carbon fiber composite material project within this economic zone. The carbon fiber project will occupy a 300,000 square meter facility and ultimately we believe this facility will be able to produce 100,000 kilometers per year of high-pressure carbon fiber composite wire. This would equate to over $1.5 billion US (10.3 billion RMB) per year, once this facility is operating at full capacity."

Research at UC3M Improves the Bolted Joints in Airplanes

A research project at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M) that analyses the bolted joints used in the aeronautical industry has determined the optimum force that should be applied so that they may better withstand the variations in temperature that aircraft are subjected to. This advance could improve airplane design, weight and safety. (OIC/UC3M).

The researchers have analyzed the performance of these bolted joints in aeronautical structures in which mechanical elements (screws, nuts, washers) are used to join parts that are made of composite materials. Specifically, the scientists at UC3M have analyzed the influence of bolt torque (the force with which the bolt is tightened) and temperature, which varies from -50ºC, when the airplane is flying at an altitude of 10,000 meters, to 90ºC, the temperature to which a bolted joint may be exposed when it is close to a heat source. To do this, they developed a numerical model and analyzed the behavior of these joints under different conditions. "The main conclusion that we drew is that the torque of each joint should be estimated taking into account the range of temperatures to which the plate is going to be subjected, because current industry standards that are applied to determine torque do not take this effect into account", explains one of the authors of the study, Professor Enrique Barbero, head of the Advanced Materials Mechanics research group of the Department of Continuum Mechanics and Structural Analysis at UC3M.

The main type of failure that they found was the crushing of carbon fiber plates against the shaft of the bolt, which is made more likely by low temperatures or by low torque levels. "At -50ºC the volume of the panels is reduced and the effect of the torque is diminished, so the joints that are subjected to these temperatures, such as those that form part of the fuselage and the external structure of the airplane, should have a greater torque so that its effect is maintained even under very low temperatures", affirms Professor Carlos Santiuste. The opposite effect can also be dangerous, the researchers point out, because when temperatures are high or when the torque is too great, the panels made of composite materials may be damaged by being compressed between the head of the bolt and the washer.

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Acoustic Guitar Made of Carbon fiber and Epoxy Resin Developed

John Decker, has developed an acoustic guitar made of carbon fiber and epoxy resin. He started a company called RainSong Graphite Guitars that produces about 700 all-composite guitars a year.

Creating a guitar sans wood that would be durable and sound good was a challenge for Decker and his colleagues. The "sound" of a guitar depends on what the soundboard - the top butternut squash-shaped panel - is made of. Traditionally, soundboards are made from a wood like spruce or cedar. Decker and his colleagues experimented first with other materials like fiberglass, which was too heavy, and plastic, which was too flexible. They settled eventually on graphite because its fiber structure was similar to that of wood's and would hopefully mimic the tonal qualities of wood. They experimented with adding other fibers and the proper amount of resin until they got a soundboard that worked.



On the RainSong website, Decker uses physics to explain what gives the RainSong guitar its unique "carbon sound". The soundboards on guitars transfer the vibrations of the strings into sound which then resonates in the body. For wood, about half of those vibrations are absorbed and turned into heat instead of sound. This effect, called damping, is heightened at higher vibration frequencies.

Graphite, however, doesn't have the same damping properties as wood and the higher notes don't fade away as quickly on a graphite guitar as they do on a wooden one. The graphite is nearly linear and each of the frequencies is damped at almost the same rate. This results in louder treble on the graphite guitar. The linear damping also gives the guitar purer tones by reducing the mixing of harmonics that happens when playing a wooden guitar.

Multifunctional Self-Healing Composites Made Using Carbon Nanotubes

According to researchers from Applied Sciences Inc., carbon nanotubes are ideal materials to pair with nano-sized self-healing capsules in thermoset composites. Applied Sciences is exploring this technology under a NASA Phase I SBIR program targeted at developing self healing composite technology using Pyrograf III carbon nanotubes.

Polymer matrix composites offering multiple advantages of lightweight, high strength and stiffness, vibration damping, and corrosion resistance are becoming widely used in aerospace and commercial applications. A primary weakness of structural composites is damage from impact, where resulting micro-cracks can propagate to allow delamination and/or fiber breakage of the composite, resulting in loss of the excellent physical properties for which composites are selected. Incorporation of carbon nanotubes into the polymer matrix, resulting in a significant increase of the composite interphase, has been shown to mitigate micro-crack formation. Carbon nanotube additives in the matrix have also demonstrated improvement in interlaminar mechanical properties, thermal and electrical conductivity, vibration damping, and fire retardancy. A separate promising tool for addressing damage from impact is the emerging class of self healing materials having the ability to heal micro-cracks and restore mechanical and corrosion resistant properties of the composite. In the awarded effort, a combination of these tools will be investigated to determine the feasibility of incorporating self-healing properties, while concurrently producing multifunctional improvements in interlaminar shear strength, modulus, fracture toughness, transport properties, fire retardancy and vibration damping.

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LM Wind Power Announces 73.5 m Turbine Blade

This new blade will be the longest composite blade structure in the world at 73.5 meters creating an impressive swept area with a rotor diameter of 150 meters.

The LM 73.5P wind turbine blades will be installed on Alstom’s 6 MW wind turbines offshore, mainly in European waters, where the giant blades will travel at the speed of more than 320 km/h in order to generate green power equivalent to the yearly requirements of over 6000 European households



Vice President, Product Development at LM Wind Power, Jan Kristiansen is looking forward to being able to present the first prototype blade in Denmark already at the end of this year. “The size of these impressive structures has more than doubled over the past decade alone, and although this has of course demanded the development of new materials, design and technology along the way, the new 73.5 meter blade is built on our progressive accumulation of know-how. This ensures that even though it is more than ten meters longer than our recent world record blade, it is still based on a proven concept.”

The company says it is in discussions with a number of Asian wind turbine manufacturers about making blades longer than 80 m.




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