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#Composites

Hexcel and Arkema to open a joint research and development laboratory in Les Avenières, France

Hexcel and Arkema have announced that they will open a joint research and development laboratory in Les Avenières (Isère), France in April.

This follows the companies’ previous announcement in March 2018 that they were forming a strategicalliance to develop thermoplastic composite solutions for the aerospace sector, combining theexpertise of Hexcel in carbon fiber and Arkema in PEKK.

The companies’ objective at this new lab is to develop carbon fiber-reinforced thermoplastic prepregtapes to enable lightweight parts to be produced for future generations of aircraft. These solutions willprovide lightweight and cost effective technologies including faster production cycles for customers inthe aerospace and the space and defense sectors.

Thanks to Hexcel and Arkema’s close collaboration, an initial industrial pilot line will be installed in thenew lab in the coming weeks. The companies expect to start supplying carbon/thermoplastic UDtapes from this pilot line to customers for evaluation beginning in Q3 2019.

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#Research & Development

Novel flame-retardant and recyclable fiber-reinforced composite

Airplanes and passenger trains must meet strict safety requirements, including fire safety standards. This calls for materials that are flame-retardant, lightweight, robust, and scalable. Empa researchers, in collaboration with their industry partner Elantas, have now succeeded for the first time in making such a material – a composite – fully recyclable.

#Composites

WHILL selects Teijin’s tough, lightweight Carbon Fiber Composite for new last-mile mobility

Teijin Limited announced today that WHILL Inc., a global leader in inclusive mobility technology, has selected Sereebo® P CFP series, a carbon fiber-reinforced thermoplastic (CFRTP) material, for key structural components of the upcoming WHILL Model C Lite. Sereebo® P CFP series provides high strength, light weight, design flexibility and system cost advantages to the Model C Lite, which is a battery powered, single-seat, last-mile device. This new model combines maneuverability with light weight and one-handed folding to ensure ease of handling and operation.

#Composites

Fewer pores, greater impact tolerance: Peter Dornier Foundation Prize 2026 honours material research on fibre-reinforced composite components for aerospace industry

Microscopically small pores that form during manufacture, or barely visible impact damage, can severely impair the load-bearing capacity and service life of fibre-reinforced composite components. Two young researchers have presented groundbreaking work in this field and will both be awarded the 2026 Peter Dornier Foundation Prize: Dr.-Ing. Benedikt Neitzel from the Technical University of Ilmenau for his doctoral thesis on pore minimisation in the RTM process, and Johanna Buschmann, M.Sc., for her master’s thesis, completed at the German Aerospace Centre, on the improved impact tolerance of 3D fabrics compared to 2D laminates.

#Composites

Carbon Revolution wins Composites Australia Engineering Team Excellence Award

Carbon Revolution has won the Engineering Team Excellence Award at the 2026 Composites Australia Annual Industry Awards.

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#Research & Development

ITA spin-off TERNAfil wins third place at KUER.NRW 2026 with MAXCarbon technology

The Aachen-based ITA spin-off TERNAfil GmbH has secured third place in the KUER.NRW Business Plan Competition 2026 with MAXCarbon, an innovative carbon-ceramic hybrid fibre developed for applications in the hydrogen economy. The technology combines the mechanical properties of carbon fibres with the thermal and corrosion resistance of ceramic materials.

#Textile processing

Jeanologia and Sue Barrett explore new interpretations of camouflage in COMMON GROUND

Jeanologia has collaborated with Sue Barrett, founder of Denim Forum, to create COMMON GROUND, a new denim collection that reinterprets camouflage through nature-inspired patterns, vintage garments and modern finishing technologies. Developed as part of Jeanologia’s Denim Métiers initiative, the project combines archival references and creative experimentation with laser and ozone technologies to explore new possibilities in contemporary denim design.

#Heimtextil 2027

Heimtextil 2027 strengthens its sleep segment with leading brands and new international suppliers

From high-quality mattresses and innovative sleep systems to international sourcing solutions, Heimtextil 2027 brings together the full diversity of the sleep market. Established brands will showcase their products in Hall 4.0. With Sleep & Meet, Heimtextil continues its collaboration with the German Mattress Industry Association (Fachverband Matratzen-Industrie e. V.).

#Spinning

Barmag’s single-stage Bi-Shrinkage concept impresses with yarn quality and efficiency

The Indian company Garden Silk Mills Pvt. Ltd. adopts Barmag's new single-stage Bi-Shrinkage Yarn (BSY) spinning concept based on WINGS FDY PLUS eco. The systems, which have been in operation for about a year, deliver excellent yarn quality with very good productivity.

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