#Composites

2021-11-25

SGL Carbon receives SPE Innovation Award for glass fiber leaf spring

On November 10, 2021, the Automotive Division of the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE®) in Michigan hosted its 50th annual Automotive Innovation Awards Gala, the oldest and largest awards ceremony in the automotive and plastics industries. In all, awards were presented in 10 categories for the most innovative use of plastics. This year, Ford Motor Co. beat out the rest of the nominees with its innovative spring system for Ford's F-150 pickup model. The hybrid leaf spring from supplier Rassini was selected as the award winner in the chassis/hardware category. This award also honors the supply chain.

Recognition with SPE Innovation Award for innovative spring system for Ford's F-150 pickup model in the chassis/hardware category

Oldest and largest awards ceremony in the automotive and plastics industries

SGL Carbon is involved with production of state-of-the-art glass fiber fabrics and supply of finished leaf spring components

SGL Carbon is involved in two aspects of this project: Firstly, with the production of state-of-the-art glass fiber fabrics at the SGL site in Wackersdorf, and secondly, with the supply of finished leaf spring components, which SGL manufactures in its component production facility in Ort im Innkreis, Austria.

"In addition to the almost fully automated and high-volume series production, the technical innovation for the excellent spring system also consists of the intelligent interaction between conventional steel leaf springs and our novel composite materials. Here, the conventional steel leaf spring is supported by our additional spring made of GFRP, so that the vehicle is cushioned reliably and comfortably even with heavy load. Compared to steel, the design of the composite leaf spring also enables a weight saving of over 50%. ", explains Robert Hütter, responsible for Large Scale Solutions at SGL Carbon's Composites Division.

"We congratulate Ford and Rassini and are proud to contribute to the innovative suspension system of the F-150 with our fiber materials and composite solutions. While our carbon fibers, with their high tensile strength and light weight, are particularly suitable for body components, our glass fiber fabrics, with their especially elastic material properties and equally low weight, are an optimal set-up for making modern leaf spring systems even lighter and offering a real alternative to the classic steel leaf spring. This applies to combustion engines as well as to electric mobility. ", adds Markus Stieglbauer, Director Sales Management of the Business Line Textiles at the Fiber Division in Wackersdorf.

The significant weight reduction of composite components also ensures a higher range and more efficiency for e-cars (BEV) as well as lower fuel consumption. At the same time, CO2 emissions are reduced and the rigidity of the vehicle is increased.

Variety of composites components

For use in the automotive industry, SGL Carbon produces a wide range of different parts and components made of carbon and glass fiber-reinforced plastics, from body components and battery cases to friction linings made of carbon fiber material. The company supplies a wide range of automotive manufacturers worldwide. The automotive components also include leaf springs made of glass fibers, which contribute to a significant reduction in weight. SGL Carbon manufactures the leaf springs in a highly automated process, both as transversal and longitudinal leaf springs.

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.

SGL Carbon evaluates strategic options for the carbon fibers and appoints Dr. Denis Hinz as new head of the business unit

SGL Carbon SE is currently evaluating various strategic options for the Business Unit Carbon Fibers (CF). These include a possible partial or complete divestment of the Business Unit. In a first step, potential interested parties shall be approached promptly with the general data of the Business Unit to determine their interest in an acquisition. If there is sufficient interest, a structured transaction process will be carried out in a second step.

MEL Composites delivers advanced hull infusion for Técnico Solar Boat’s hydrogen-powered São Gabriel 01

MEL Composites has reinforced its partnership with Técnico Solar Boat through the successful hull infusion of the São Gabriel 01, an 8m long, 2.4m wide, hydrogen-powered hydrofoiling vessel. Designed to compete at the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge in July 2026, the São Gabriel 01 is the team’s most technically demanding project to date and showcases the future of sustainable marine engineering by combining advanced composite manufacturing with clean energy systems.

Sicomin appoints CS Kompozyty as exclusive Distributor for Poland

Sicomin is pleased to announce the appointment of CS Kompozyty as its exclusive distributor for Poland. The partnership will provide Polish composite manufacturers with comprehensive access to Sicomin's broad range of performance epoxy resins, green epoxies, hardeners, and adhesive solutions, supported by local technical expertise and rapid delivery capabilities.

JEC World 2026 reveals the list of finalists for the Innovation Awards

Each year, the JEC Composites Innovation Awards recognize collaborative, innovative, and ambitious projects that illustrate the potential of composite materials. Created in 1998, this benchmark program aims to identify, promote, and reward the most innovative composite solutions worldwide. In 28 years, the JEC Composites Innovation Awards have attracted more than 2,200 participating companies from around the world. A total of 269 companies and 811 associated partners have been recognized for the excellence of their innovations.

MUNICH FABRIC START: Between Attitude and Sensuality

The future begins where we reimagine it. After seasons of restraint, Spring.Summer 27 marks a conscious counter-trend: optimism, sensuality, and creative freedom are replacing pragmatism and neutrality. Physical presence and individuality are regaining importance – as a response to uncertainty, exhaustion, and algorithmic predictability. The overarching theme of PLEASURE stands for fashion as an emotional space, as an expression of attitude and cultural reflection. Colours, surfaces, and materials become vehicles for self-confidence and joie de vivre.

organIQ seek: smart alternative to potassium permanganate

CHT Group announces new technical findings within its organIQ seek platform that significantly advance the transition toward permanganate-free denim bleaching. Through extensive industrial testing and application research, CHT confirms that organIQ seek can now be used with remarkable effectiveness as a substitute for potassium permanganate in spray bleach, while remaining aligned with sustainability expectations and cost realities in the European market. At the COLOMBIATEX in Medellín as well as at the Exintex in Puebla and the Kingpins Show in Amsterdam the CHT Group will present organIQ seek as an alternative to potassium permanganate.

PERFORMANCE DAYS: Focus topic shifts to the beginning of the value chain

Following the last Focus Topic in October 2025, which placed Textile-to-Textile Recycling at its core, PERFORMANCE DAYS continues to drive the conversation around circularity – this time with an expanded and more upstream perspective. The upcoming Focus Topic, “Textile to Textile: The Role of Collectors and Sorters,” presented during the spring edition on March 18–19, will spotlight one of the most essential yet often overlooked components of a functioning circular textile system: the efficient collection and sorting of post-consumer textiles.

Proven performance, optimised costs – the new RE 6 EL

Nowadays textile companies increasingly need to produce small production runs and respond to market changes with instantaneous pattern changes in order to operate profitably – meaning they require machines that offer maximum flexibility, reliability and cost efficiency. KARL MAYER understands the challenges of the market and is launching its new RE 6 EL. The Raschel machine offers the core strengths of the classic RSE 6 EL and essentially the same performance parameters, but has been further cost-optimised largely due to local production advantages. This makes the newcomer an efficiency champion in production, especially when it comes to frequent pattern changes.