#Composites

2025-06-26

FLYING WHALES selects HEXCEL for the supply of composites materials for its LCA60T AIRSHIP

In order to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy, FLYING WHALES (FLWH) and HEXCEL are collaborating on an exciting project to develop the most adapted solutions for airship structures.

Flying Whales and Hexcel are celebrating the collaboration © 2025 Hexcel

The team is proud to collaborate with Hexcel, a global leader in advanced composite materials for aerospace applications. Hexcel’s extensive experience and innovation in carbon fiber technology have established the company as a trusted partner in the industry.

For the airship project, a wide range of Hexcel’s products has been selected, with particular emphasis on HexTow® IMA Carbon Fiber. This material has been chosen for the pultruded tubes that form the skeleton of the airship.

HexTow® IMA offers an exceptional balance between cost-efficiency and high mechanical performance, including superior tensile strength and modulus—making it ideally suited to the demands of the airship’s innovative structure. Hexcel’s ongoing commitment to advancing composite technologies supports the project's goals of achieving outstanding performance and reliability.

"Together with Flying Whales, we are thrilled to be part of the visionary LCA60T airship project — a bold step forward that perfectly aligns with Hexcel’s purpose: “We propel the future of flight and transportation through excellence in advanced material solutions that create a better world for us all.

Over the past two years, Flying Whales and Hexcel have made significant progress together to develop a comprehensive range of cutting-edge composite materials. To meet Flying Whales' requirements and technical constraints, Hexcel has developed materials such as prepregs, carbon fibers, fabrics, adhesives... Our composites are lighter and stronger than any other comparable material, enabling cleaner, more efficient and more sustainable air mobility. We are very proud to be working with Flying Whales to achieve excellence and customer satisfaction", says Thierry Merlot, President, Europe Middle East Africa Asia Pacific, HEXCEL.

Vincent Guibout, CEO, FLYING WHALES, says: "Working with HEXCEL Composites has been a great journey. Their expertise in composite raw materials, their ability to develop and qualify aerospace products and to provide the most adapted solution have been crucial in bringing the LCA60T airship to life. This airship represents a significant leap forward in developing sustainable cargo transport, and we are excited to see the positive impact it will have on improving logistics in remote areas. By leveraging strong and light-weight composite materials, we are committed to creating an airship with minimal environmental impact."

Hexcel highlights latest innovations for aerospace applications at Aero India 2025

Hexcel Corporation (NYSE: HXL) a global leader in advanced composite technologies for aerospace applications, will exhibit at Aero India 2025, Bengaluru, India. As a trusted partner to the Indian aerospace industry for over 40 years, Hexcel will highlight its latest innovations in lightweight, high-performance materials designed to enhance efficiency and sustainability in aerospace applications.

JEC World 2026 returns with an unprecedented content program

Recognized worldwide as the leading trade exhibition for composite materials and their applications, JEC World returns on March 10-12, 2026, at Paris Nord Villepinte as the most ambitious edition to date, in line with its motto “Pushing the limits”. As the must-attend event for the composites industry, JEC World will offer an unprecedented program, blending conferences, markets insights, technical sessions, awards, and above all, a unique experience and invaluable connections.

KARL MAYER at JEC: Multiaxial reinforced CFRP pultrusion profiles are picking up speed in the mobility sector

KARL MAYER Technical Textiles will be showcasing exciting new application potentials for multiaxial non-crimp fabrics in combination with the pultrusion process at the upcoming JEC in Hall 5, Booth C 46. The advancement of the tried-and-tested pultrusion process enables the cost-efficient production of complex CFRP multi-chamber profiles, which are used in the CETROVO high-speed metro. The world's first carbon-intensive lightweight rail vehicle of this type is designed for speeds of up to 140 km/h.

Engineering depth and diversity for composites

Airbond is the latest member of the British Textile Machinery Association (BTMA) to receive recognition for contributions to the composites industry. The engineering firm based in Pontypool, South Wales, has just received the Make UK Energy and Sustainability Award for its Lattice 3D Printing project.

High-performance yarns for tomorrow's mobility

At this year's Techtextil in Frankfurt (April 21–24), Barmag will be presenting comprehensive solutions for the production of industrial filament yarns at the VDMA joint stand (Hall 12, C56). The focus will be on applications that ensure greater safety, durability, and efficiency in automotive engineering.

Beyond the wardrobe – innovative cotton takes the spotlight

Cotton can do more – a lot more. Cutting-edge textiles and high-tech products made from 100% cotton prove just how powerfully performance and sustainability can come together. That very surge of innovation is front and centre at the 38th Bremen Cotton Conference, taking place March 25–27, 2026, at Bremen’s Parliament on the historic market square – culminating in a bold and dedicated closing session on Friday. In the spotlight: performance upgrades for pure cotton, smart strategies for circular textile waste solutions, and pioneering concepts for demanding technical applications. From natural fibre–reinforced composites to highly effective flame-retardant solutions, cotton steps out of the closet and shows the future potential woven into every fibre.

Keeping print inclusive: Empowering women in the print industry

Across all industries, cultivating a diverse and inclusive workplace is increasingly recognised as valuable and essential to long-term success. However, despite the print industry’s significant advancements in technology and innovation, visible representation of women remains limited. As the sector grapples with low recruitment, it’s important to challenge outdated perceptions. Creating real change, however, requires collective effort - no single company can do it alone.