ENSCHEDE, The Netherlands, Friday June 12, 2009 - Officials from
Boeing, Royal Ten Cate, Stork Fokker and the University of Twente
signed an agreement today to establish the Thermoplastic Composites
Research Centre (TPRC) at the University of Twente in The
Netherlands.
Reasons for pursuing research into thermoplastic composites
technologies are that they can offer cost-efficient fabrication and
assembly processes and have environmental advantages. Thermoplastics
are by nature more ductile (impact resistant), and thermoplastic
composites are potentially more sustainable than thermoset
composites. These unique properties can result in shorter cycle times
and more environmentally friendly processing methods. As a result,
thermoplastic materials are expected to have a major impact on the
development of sustainable and cost-effective methods of production.
Serving as a catalyst for innovation, the concept of the consortium
is to collaborate with different parties within the supply chain on
thermoplastic composites. The research 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.
A key factor that has led to the formation of the TPRC consortium is
the growing use of thermoplastics in the aerospace industry, which is
happening because customers are increasingly demanding products that
are lighter, more cost efficient and environmentally progressive. To
satisfy that demand, aerospace companies are looking for innovations
that will accelerate development of thermoplastic composites
technologies and spur their deployment into product lines quickly and
efficiently.
The physical centre will enable researchers and developers from all
parties to work closely together on open innovations. It also will
enable all parties to share research equipment. New additional
members to the TPRC consortium will be encouraged to join in the
coming years, including organisations that will represent a wide
range of market sectors.
Start of the initiative
The effort to establish TPRC at the University of Twente began last
year, when Boeing, TenCate, Stork Fokker and the University of Twente
began collaborating on two joint research projects, cofounded by the
Province of Overijssel, that involve materials used in thermoplastic
composites, as well as joining/bonding methods. The regional
development agency Oost NV and Kennispark Twente have managed the
start and process of the TPRC project. For Kennispark Twente, this
included legal preparations. Oost NV, which is commissioned by the
Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Provinces of Overijssel and
Gelderland, facilitated the complete process, enabling the continuity
of structuring the centre.
In a later phase, realizing public funding together with the regional
innovation platform will be the major focus of the activities. In the
innovation platform, the Province of Overijssel and the region of
Twente work together to generate innovative projects like TPRC. In
this combined platform the cooperation and financing for TPRC will be
developed.
In the near future, the research centre will be housed in 'de
Etalage', a Kennispark building that will physically bring together
science and entrepreneurship. Kennispark Twente is an initiative of
the University of Twente, the Province of Overijssel and the
municipal government of Enschede (on behalf of Netwerkstad Twente).
Through Kennispark Twente, the University of Twente actively
approaches businesses to share knowledge and contribute to
innovation. The initiative includes joint research programs,
commercial use of the University's research facilities and
development of business activities and centers on and around the
University campus. The University of Twente will be responsible for
managing its day-to-day operation and member's research projects.
The TPRC agreement was signed today before the annual Innovation
Lecture of the University of Twente at the 'De Grolsch Veste' in
Enschede, which this year was presented by Jan Närlinge, president of
Boeing Northern Europe. According to the agreement, the industrial
partner members will support TPRC with membership fees and technical
guidance to assure the work carried out by the centre will benefit
these members. All parties will allocate an equal share in the joint
research projects.
Reaction from the founding partners
"For the University of Twente, good relations between science and
industry are essential. The fact that our partners in TPRC choose the
University campus, and thus Kennispark Twente, underlines the
entrepreneurial character of our University", said Anne Flierman,
President of the University of Twente. "TPRC will prove to be a
typical example of translating excellent science into actual
applications in society."
"This collaboration will enable us to leverage our investment in
advanced composites technology and increase our supplier base in the
Netherlands in the area of thermoplastic composites," said Jan
Närlinge of Boeing. "The TPRC will provide our customers with access
to an accelerated development and use of thermoplastic materials and
processing technologies, world-class suppliers and aircraft
components at reduced cost, cycle time and weight."
Loek de Vries, CEO and president Royal Ten Cate: "TPRC is a great
opportunity for TenCate to develop next generation thermoplastic
composite applications. Cooperation with the entire value chain and
knowledge institutes enables us to combine material development,
processing technologies and design engineering concurrently. In short
term, we foresee a further increase in the demand for thermoplastic
composite materials. TPRC is a great platform to expand the scope of
applications within the aerospace industry, but will also be of
interest for many industrial markets."
Boilerplate
Boeing
Boeing [NYSE:BA] is the world's leading aerospace company and the
largest manufacturer of commercial jetliners and military aircraft
combined. Additionally, Boeing designs and manufactures rotorcraft,
electronic and defense systems, missiles, satellites, launch vehicles
and advanced information and communication systems. As a major
service provider to NASA, Boeing operates the Space Shuttle and
International Space Station. The company also provides numerous
military and commercial airline support services. Boeing has
customers in more than 90 countries and is one of the largest U.S.
exporters in terms of sales. Boeing Research & Technology, the
company's central R&D organization, conducts its own R&D and works
with top government, private and University research centres
throughout the world to find the most innovative and affordable
technology solutions for aerospace applications. For more
information, please visit www.boeing.com
TenCate
TenCate Advanced Composites - part of the multinational Royal Ten
Cate - develops and produces composites for space and aerospace and a
broad range of industrial applications. TenCate Advanced Composites
has production facilities in Europe and North-America where it
combines its fiber expertise with smart chemical and engineering
technologies. This synergy gives a true meaning to the TenCate
philosophy: 'Materials that make a difference'. TenCate Advanced
Composites established a leading position as a partner for the
development of low-weight, high strength composite materials, all
designed to offer best performance and ensuring supreme quality,
reliability and safety under all circumstances. For more information
please visit www.tencate.com.
Stork Fokker
A strategic unit of Stork Aerospace, is a pioneer in advanced
lightweight aerostructures and internationally recognized as a prime
specialist in the application of thermoplastic composites. For more
information please visit www.storkfokker.com
University of Twente
The University of Twente (UT) is an innovative, internationally
oriented research University. Research at the UT is mainly of a
'fundamental-strategic' nature: it focuses on issues which break
fresh scientific ground and, at the same time, respond to needs in
society. The Production Technology group within the Faculty of
Engineering Technology focuses on processing and performance of
lightweight materials and operates on the forefront of the
international research on thermoplastic composites. This helps the
industry compete on the global market, while the findings and
expertise are transferred into the education of young engineers at
the same time.
'Processing' and 'Product performance' of lightweight materials in
structural applications are the key words of the main research themes
of the Production Technology group. Processing and performance can be
optimized after thorough analysis and modelling in combination with a
robust experimental programme. An integral approach is pursued,
taking into account the relationships between geometric design,
production process and material properties.
With TPRC, the University of Twente aims to improve and expand its
research and education activities on thermoplastic composites, to
improve international visibility and recognition as a leading
institute for research and education and to increase the scientific
output, the number of students and graduates and the generation of
spin-off activities. For more information please visit
www.pt.ctw.utwente.nl.
Website
For more information, please visit www.tprc.nl
Contact
Contact general information:
Wiebe van der Veen
Press officer
University of Twente communications
+31 53 489 4244/ +31 612185692
w.r.vanderveen@utwente.nl
Communication information about companies:
Eszter Ungar
Boeing International Communications - Brussels, Belgium
+32 2 777 07 26
eszter.ungar@boeing.com
Daryl Stephenson
Boeing Research & Technology Communications - St. Louis, USA
+1-314-232-8203
daryl.l.stephenson@boeing.com
Jaap de Carpentier Wolf
Royal Ten Cate, head corporate communication
+31 546 544 306
media@tencate.com
Marianne Mulder
Stork Fokker, communications manager
+31 78 6419848
marianne.mulder@stork.com
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