#Composites

2020-01-13

Hexcel provides HiTape® dry carbon tapes for Madshus Skis

Hexcel is collaborating with Madshus, a leading innovator in the world of cross-country skiing, on the engineering of a range of next-generation dry carbon fiber tapes for Madshus’ acclaimed cross-country racing skies. Hexcel’s new HiTape® Dry Carbon Tapes improve the performance, manufacturing efficiency and surface finish of Madshus Skis.

Hexcel supplies Madshus with three different HiTape® products based on the specific design parameters of different cross-country ski types. The advanced carbon fiber tapes produce less fuzz in production and meet tight tolerances for aerial weight and width. The company is now delivering nearly 500,000lm of HiTape® per year with strong customer demand forecast to increase volumes in the very near future.

HiTape® is a true high-performance dry UD tape, manufactured with industrial grade fiber with aerial weights from 120-250 gsm and widths between 38-47mm. Dry fiber tows are sandwiched between lightweight thermoplastic veils on the upper and lower faces. The lack of fiber splices and cut filaments give a very clean ‘fuzz free’ product, perfect for automated production processes. Excellent formability and permeability allow rapid material placement and infusion.

HiTape® materials represent the ultimate in dry carbon fiber UD tape technology. They provide a cost and production rate optimized tape solution producing prepreg-like mechanical properties without an autoclave. HiTape® products are well suited to automated production in a wide range of winter sports, automotive, aerospace and industrial applications.

“HiTape® gives us exactly what we need for our automated production processes - consistency and quality. In particular the exceptionally clean edges of the tapes, really makes a difference in our molding process and enhances the surface finish of the finished ski. We always aim for the highest levels of quality and Hexcel HiTape® helps us to deliver that.” concludes Bjørn Ivar Austrem, Technical Director, Madshus.

Hexcel’s new HiTape® Dry Carbon Tapes for Madshus Skis will be on display at ISPO Munich 2020, from 26 to 29 January.

DYNEEMA® and NP Aerospace advance personal protection for military servicewomen

Dyneema®, owned by Avient Corporation, an innovator of materials solutions, is supplying its high-performance unidirectional (UD) materials to world-leading armor manufacturer NP Aerospace, enabling the production of armor systems designed specifically to fit the female body. With 2,000 new armor systems, including 4,000 plates, made in the United Kingdom (UK) and delivered in June 2026, this collaboration addresses a long-standing lack of high-quality personal protection specially built for female defense and security personnel.

JEC World 2026 confirms its standing as the unmissable event for composites and their applications

JEC World 2026 confirms its position as the leading global event for the composite materials industry and its applications across multiple sectors, bringing together the entire composites ecosystem in Paris for three days of business, innovation, and collaboration. True to its Pushing the Limits motto, the 2026 edition delivered outstanding results despite travel disruptions worldwide. The numbers speak for themselves: more than 1,400 exhibitors from over 50 countries, including over 150 first-timers, presented a global panorama of products, equipment, and services across the entire composites value chain.

KARL MAYER strengthens partnerships in the composites industry at JEC World 2026

KARL MAYER further strengthened its role as a reliable and competent partner to the composites industry at JEC World 2026. The global market leader in textile machinery manufacturing used the trade show to meet key customers, establish numerous new contacts, and engage in in-depth technical discussions.

Kordsa showcases its global expertise in material technologies at JEC World 2026

Kordsa, a subsidiary of Sabancı Holding, shared its global expertise in material technologies with participants at JEC World 2026, held in Paris. The company’s solutions developed for a wide range of industries—particularly aviation, energy, and automotive—stood out among its key innovations at the exhibition. Throughout the event, Kordsa also presented its vision for sustainable growth and its strategic transformation in composite technologies to international stakeholders.

Textile Exchange publishes comprehensive polyester LCA study

Textile Exchange has released a new Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) study on polyester, providing detailed data on the environmental impacts of both virgin and recycled polyester production. The study aims to strengthen understanding across the fashion, textile and apparel industries and support more informed decision-making regarding polyester sourcing and production.

Keeping products moving with Swedish automation at FILTECH 2026

At FILTECH 2026, taking place in Cologne from June 30th to July 2nd, members of TMAS – the Swedish textile machinery association – will highlight how the country’s engineering expertise is enabling filtration manufacturers to increase productivity, improve traceability and reduce dependence on labour-intensive manual processes.