#Composites

2021-01-28

Order-driven enhancement of SGL Carbon’s operations in Arkadelphia progresses

Arkadelphia facility of SGL Carbon © 2021 SGL Carbon

SGL Carbon currently enhances its operations in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, by introducing new production processes for fiber-based composites in order to ramp up its production. SGL Carbon was awarded a substantial contract for composite battery enclosures from a North-American automaker as announced in January 2020. The enhancement reflects an investment into the facility of approximately $4.5 million within three years and will increase the workforce at the site by 35 full-time employees.

Ramp-up of production facility for carbon composites in e-mobility

Investment of approx. $4.5 million within three years, partly supported by public funding

For the investment, the company will also receive public funding from the Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC), the City of Arkadelphia and the Clark County. The enhancement of the Arkadelphia operations started in October 2020 and is planned to be fully operational by the end of 2021.

“Composite battery enclosures fit perfectly to the specific needs of modern e-car chassis. Thus, with the ongoing enhancement of our Arkadelphia operations, we also support the great trend towards more e-mobility in the US. In addition, our facility produces a variety of carbon and glass fiber-reinforced products for a wide range of industrial applications within the automotive and aerospace industries as well as the energy sector.”, says Steve Swanson, Vice President of Operations at SGL Composites Inc.

“For decades, SGL Carbon has served as a leading producer of unique graphite and composite materials and manufacturer of products known for their versatile industrial applications. We are happy that the company now expands further at its Arkadelphia location. The strengths of our workforce in south Arkansas, partnered with our low cost of doing business, made Arkadelphia a prime location for SGL Carbon’s new production processes. We look forward to our continued partnership with the company as it embarks on this new endeavor.”, says Arkansas Department of Commerce Secretary and Executive Director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC) Mike Preston.

“The Economic Development Corporation of Clark County is pleased to partner with one of our local industries to promote job creation and expansion. This announcement shows our local tax dollars play an important role in encouraging job creation in Clark County.”, says EDCCC Chairman Celya Taylor.

Arkadelphia City Manager Gary Brinkley said, “We are thrilled about the news that SGL will be ramping up its production and hiring additional employees. SGL’s corporate philosophy of partnering with their customers is the same philosophy we follow in Clark County, partnering with our industries for job retention and expansion. The soundness of the Arkadelphia workforce coupled with the quality of life we enjoy in southwest Arkansas is truly a win-win scenario for everyone.”

County Judge Troy Tucker said, “We are excited about the future expansion of SGL Carbon in Clark County and with the future possibilities of this company.”

SGL Carbon decides to restructure its Carbon Fibers business unit

The Board of Management of SGL Carbon SE today decided, with the approval of the Supervisory Board, to restructure the loss-making Carbon Fibers business unit. SGL Carbon will significantly reduce the business activities of Carbon Fibers and focus on a profitable core. Individual solutions are being developed for all Carbon Fibers sites, including the closure of unprofitable sites.

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.

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.

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.

RE&UP’s Next-Gen Cotton fibers power Zalando private label t-shirt collection crafted from innovative recycled textiles

RE&UP Recycling Technologies’ Next-Gen Cotton powers a new collection from Zalando’s private labels, marking a step forward in bringing textile-to-textile recycled fibers into commercial fashion production. Launching on Zalando in August, the collection comprises five t-shirts across YOURTURN by Zalando and Even&Odd by Zalando, made from a circular-knit fabric blending 80% organic cotton with 20% RE&UP Next-Gen Cotton — textile-to-textile recycled fiber produced from textile waste. This is the first time RE&UP's recycled fibers feature in Zalando's private label assortment.

Heimtextil Trends 27/28: ‘Home-Maxxing’ between performance and respite

Sleep better, recover faster, live more efficiently: the desire for optimisation has long since reached our homes. Under the title ‘Home-Maxxing – The Performance of Everyday Living’, Heimtextil Trends 27/28 show how our relationship with efficiency-driven thinking and technology is influencing the design of spaces and textiles. The more sleep, wellness, routines, materials and spaces are optimised, the stronger the desire for a home that does not demand even more of us.

Driving circularity with Uster Recycled Fiber Matrix

The textile industry’s commitment to circularity continues to accelerate, and mechanical recycling is viewed as a targeted approach to cutting textile waste and its environmental impact. At the forefront of this drive, Uster has developed the Recycled Fiber Matrix, a two-dimensional assessment of mechanically recycled fibers to guide optimum processing and end-uses.

Mimaki advances DTF productivity and stability with new TxF330-800

Mimaki Europe, a leading manufacturer of industrial inkjet printers and cutting plotters, announces the TxF330-800, its new direct-to-film (DTF) printer. Designed to support stable, high-quality garment decoration in demanding print environments, the system combines automated maintenance, expanded white ink capacity and advanced production capabilities to streamline workflow.