Aircraft industry partners envision thermoplastic composites research centre

Officials of The Boeing Co. (Chicago, Ill.), Royal Ten Cate (Almelo, The Netherlands), Stork Fokker AESP (Hoogeveen, The Netherlands) and the University of Twente (Enschede, The Netherlands) have signed an agreement to establish the Thermoplastic Composites Research Centre (TPRC). To be housed on the university’s campus, the Centre will focus on development of thermoplastic composite technologies for a broad range of end-use markets, including wind energy, oil and gas, aerospace, automotive, medical, machinery, infrastructure, sports and marine.

The TPRC initiative was launched at the University of Twente in 2008 in response to two joint research projects, cosponsored by the Province of Overijssel, that involve materials used in thermoplastic composites and related joining/bonding methods. A key factor in the TPRC consortium’s formation is growing use of thermoplastics in the aerospace industry.

The TPRC facility is expected to enable R&D personnel, representing all parties, to share research equipment and cooperate on open innovations. New members will be encouraged to join in the coming years, including organizations that are active in a wide variety of markets.

According to the agreement, each industrial partner/member will support TPRC with membership fees and technical guidance, and each will share equally in the joint research.

“This collaboration will enable us to leverage our investment in advanced composites technology and increase our supplier base in The Netherlands,” says Jan Närlinge, president of Boeing Northern Europe. “The TPRC will provide our customers with access to ... world-class suppliers and aircraft components at reduced cost, cycle time and weight.”

Loek de Vries, CEO and president of Royal Ten Cate, adds, “TPRC is a great opportunity for Ten Cate to develop next-generation thermoplastic composite applications.”