Hexcel and Arkema announce the opening of a joint research and development laboratory in Avenières (Isère) in April 2019. This announcement follows the March 2018 announcement in which the two companies announced the formation of a strategic alliance for the development of thermoplastic composites for the aviation sector, combining Hexcel's expertise in carbon fibers and Arkema's expertise in the PEKK.
The purpose of this laboratory is to develop carbon-thermoplastic one-way pre-impregnates for the manufacture of primary structural parts for future generations of aircraft. These solutions will enable us to offer competitive technologies for the needs of lightening and accelerating production rates in the aerospace and defence sectors.
Thanks to the close collaboration between Hexcel and Arkema, a first industrial pilot line will soon join this new laboratory, with the aim of supplying materials in the thirdquarter of 2019.
Find out more: