#Composites

2021-10-07

Solvay introduces a new flagship epoxy prepreg for the Aerospace Market

Solvay has announced the launch of CYCOM® EP2190, an epoxy-based system offering outstanding toughness in thick and thin structures combined with excellent in-plane performance in hot/wet and cold/dry environments. As the company’s new flagship product for aerospace primary structures, the material rivals incumbent solutions for wing and fuselage applications across most aviation market segments, including urban air mobility (UAM), private and commercial aerospace segments (sub and supersonic) to defense and rotorcraft.

Superior toughness and in-plane performance, ideal for primary structures

“The growing customer base within the aerospace industry has a demand for composite materials that offer balanced in-plane, damage tolerance, and manufacturing performance,” says Stephen Heinz, Head of Composite R&I, and adds: “We are proud to introduce CYCOM® EP2190, a versatile new prepreg developed to provide significant benefits over traditional primary structure systems and a solution that meets demand for both performance and manufacturability.”

One of the strengths of the new prepreg system is its superior toughness combined with excellent hot-wet compression properties offering an ideal balance of performance. In addition, CYCOM® EP2190 offers robust manufacturing performance allowing for fabrication of parts with complex shapes using manual or automated fabrication methods. This prepreg system will enable customers to use the same material for multiple targeted applications.

CYCOM® EP2190 performance has been demonstrated during customer trials at several U.S. and European UAM, commercial jet and rotorcraft manufacturers. Product configurations include uni-directional carbon fiber grades and woven fabrics.

At a time when fast adoption and reduced certification costs are essential for innovative applications, Solvay is able to provide customers with a preliminary database of CYCOM® EP2190 followed by a full NCAMP (National Center for Advanced Materials Performance) public database of the material available in 2022.

CYCOM® is a registered trademark of Solvay.

“Production is a product”

From technical textiles and AI-driven robotics to the limitations of textile circularity: Professor Dr Thomas Gries looks back on more than two decades of development at ITA Aachen. In the interview, he explains why production technology remains a decisive success factor, discusses international collaborations and innovation ecosystems, and shares his views on the transformation of production landscapes and the challenges facing an increasingly regulated industry.

“We need to move away from the price trap and return to a value-driven mindset.”

With its new Textile Innovation Center, KARL MAYER is sending a strong signal for innovation, collaboration, and the future of textile applications. In this interview, Karl Josef Mayer discusses new opportunities in warp knitting, the processing of staple fibres, recycling, the changing role of machinery manufacturers, and why the textile industry must once again focus more strongly on the value of textiles. by Oliver Schmidt

“Innovation, resilience and international experience remain the great strengths of the Swiss textile machinery industry”

Geopolitical uncertainty, growing competitive pressure from China, new free trade agreements and the shift towards a circular economy are currently reshaping the global textile industry. In this interview, Cornelia Buchwalder discusses the current mood within the Swiss textile machinery sector, the industry’s distinctive innovative strength, new market opportunities in India and Asia, and the technological trends that could shape the upcoming trade fair cycle leading up to ITMA 2027.

JEC World 2026 confirms its standing as the unmissable event for composites and their applications

JEC World 2026 confirms its position as the leading global event for the composite materials industry and its applications across multiple sectors, bringing together the entire composites ecosystem in Paris for three days of business, innovation, and collaboration. True to its Pushing the Limits motto, the 2026 edition delivered outstanding results despite travel disruptions worldwide. The numbers speak for themselves: more than 1,400 exhibitors from over 50 countries, including over 150 first-timers, presented a global panorama of products, equipment, and services across the entire composites value chain.

KARL MAYER strengthens partnerships in the composites industry at JEC World 2026

KARL MAYER further strengthened its role as a reliable and competent partner to the composites industry at JEC World 2026. The global market leader in textile machinery manufacturing used the trade show to meet key customers, establish numerous new contacts, and engage in in-depth technical discussions.

Kordsa showcases its global expertise in material technologies at JEC World 2026

Kordsa, a subsidiary of Sabancı Holding, shared its global expertise in material technologies with participants at JEC World 2026, held in Paris. The company’s solutions developed for a wide range of industries—particularly aviation, energy, and automotive—stood out among its key innovations at the exhibition. Throughout the event, Kordsa also presented its vision for sustainable growth and its strategic transformation in composite technologies to international stakeholders.

JEC Composites Startup Booster: 2026 winners announced

The leading global startup competition for composites and advanced materials has crowned its 2026 champions, ahead of a landmark 10th anniversary edition next year. The winners of the JEC Composites Startup Booster 2026 were announced on Wednesday, 11 March, at JEC World, recognizing the most promising emerging companies reshaping the future of composites and advanced materials.

ATCO Hygienics, Uzbekistan, orders baby diaper production line from ANDRITZ

International technology group ANDRITZ has received an order from ATCO Hygienics to supply a new baby diaper production line for its plant in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. The order is included in ANDRITZ’s order intake for the first quarter of 2026. Commissioning of the production line is scheduled for the end of 2026.

Nico Pedretti appointed as Managing Director Graf Group

As of June 1, 2026, Nico Pedretti has assumed the role of Managing Director Graf Group. With more than 20 years of international industrial experience and extensive expertise in Operations, Supply Chain Management, Finance and Controlling, he brings a broad range of leadership and business experience to support Graf’s continued success.