#Composites

2024-10-24

Flipts & Dobbels opens new pathways for biocomposites within VIBES Initiative

Through its involvement in the VIBES project, Flipts & Dobbels has contributed to the VIBES collaboration’s latest breakthrough: the successful manufacture of a carbon and natural fibre panel made with a bisphenol-free epoxy resin using resin infusion techniques. This achievement marks an important milestone in the development of sustainable, high performance composite materials.

Flipts & Dobbels has been supporting the VIBES project for over four years, working with industry innovators to advance the development of bio-based composites by leveraging recyclable epoxy resins, lignin-based carbon fibres and natural flax reinforcements. These materials align with the VIBES goal of reducing environmental impact whilst maintaining high performance standards.

As part of the VIBES collaboration, manufacturing specialists Juno Composites explored key innovations, including the impact of moisture content in natural flax textiles on mechanical performance. This research, which paralleled some of the Alliance European Scientific Council ’s own work on moisture sensitivity, emphasizes the need for relying on the technical know-how of flax reinforcements manufacturers.

“The VIBES project has demonstrated that to fully realise the potential of flax fibres in performance composite applications, all aspects of the entire flax fibre production process, from seed selection to textile manufacturing, should be considered. With more than a hundred years’ experience of working with flax, our company is proud to support the continuous improvements delivered by the VIBES project.” said Caroline Flippts, Flipts & Dobbels.

The Alliance for European Flax-Linen & Hemp remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting its members like Flipts & Dobbels, as they lead the way in developing greener solutions.

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.

JEC Forum Southeast Asia 2026 highlights Taiwan as a strategic hub for the global composites industry

The third edition of JEC Forum organized in Southeast Asia brought together 350+ participants from 22 countries for three active days of high-level Business Meetings, conferences, and networking, emphasizing Southeast Asia’s growing role in the global composites market. Held for the first time in Taipei from 23 to 24 June 2026, following the successful first editions in Bangkok, JEC Forum Southeast Asia 2026 confirmed its position as the region’s leading business platform dedicated to the composites industry.

MEL Composites supports ELA Aviation with advanced composite materials

MEL Composites is supplying advanced composite materials and process consumables to ELA Aviation for the production of its next-generation gyroplanes. The collaboration underlines MEL Composites’ growing role in advanced aerospace mobility, providing lightweight materials designed to improve aircraft performance, manufacturing efficiency and structural reliability.

"Dynamic markets do not only create uncertainty – they also create opportunities."

Volatile markets, increasingly complex materials and growing demands for flexibility are changing the weaving industry. At the same time, new opportunities are emerging in technical textiles, filtration, composites and many other specialised applications. Since taking over as Head of DORNIER's Weaving Machines Product Line at the beginning of 2026, Yvonne Schuberth has been helping to shape this development. In this interview with TexData, she explains why process stability and customer proximity remain the foundation of innovation, how digitalisation is transforming weaving mills, and why she believes the future belongs to technologically demanding applications.

Ready for the future: PI Cottex chooses Brückner again for reliable quality and efficiency

PI Cottex, based in Ludhiana in the Indian state of Punjab, has developed into a leading manufacturer of high-quality knitted fabrics in recent years. Thanks to consistent vertical integration, modern pro-duction technologies and a clear focus on quality, the company supplies renowned national and inter-national clothing brands. In this interview, the team at PI Cottex talks to Brückner about its market strategy, future growth plans and its long-standing partnership with the German premium machinery manufacturer.