Covestro joins Composite Application Center in Singapore Significant market potential for fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composites

Covestro has joined forces with an international group of companies to launch the Composite Application Center (CAC) in Singapore. Its aim is to drive the development of advanced composites by delivering industry- and application-focused services to specific regional and global markets. At the Germany-Singapore Business Forum at Hanover Fair, the group of currently ten companies and two research entities signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the launch of CAC. The group is spearheaded by Composite Cluster Singapore.

“With this initiative we are responding to the request of the composites industry to bring together partners of all stages of the composites value chain,” said Dr. Florian Doetzer, Managing Director of Composite Cluster Singapore. “Through this integration the Composite Application Center will be able to develop end-to-end solutions.

Florian Doetzer added, “They include suppliers of materials, software, equipment and process technologies, as well as manufacturing companies. Covestro has a strong know-how in advanced composites especially in thermoplastics, and provides a high value contribution to CAC.” CAC will officially start its operation ‪ 2018, and will ramp-up activities and capabilities throughout this year. Additional companies are expected to join in later.

Increasing demand for composite materials

“Advanced composites, particularly thermoplastic materials, will play an important role in satisfying the growing demand for strong and light materials,” says David Hartmann, Co-CEO of the Continuous Fiber-Reinforced Thermoplastic Composites (CFRTP) business at Covestro. “For this purpose partnerships need to be formed within the industry, to deploy solutions that can help get those next-generation products into consumers’ hands. CAC offers a unique platform for partnerships to grow, and that’s an invitation we would like to extend to everybody in the composites and adjacent industries.”

The new center will provide a platform focusing on customer trials, prototyping, pilot manufacturing, training and support services. Product companies can leverage on CAC’s combined expertise and facilities to reduce initial investments and risk for composite related product design and manufacturing. The center will also collaborate closely with international leaders in composite research, as well as regional education and training centers to allow the industry to tap into latest technologies and create a sustainable talent pool.

Global interest from many sectors

“Our polycarbonates have already proven themselves in many applications that require strength, low weight and beauty”, says Dr. Michael Schmidt, the other Co-CEO of CFRTPs at Covestro. “However, the electronics industry and other industries want even stronger and lighter materials that can be used to produce thinner parts and integrated functionality.”

Besides the electrical and electronics industries, CFRTPs are attracting interest in such diverse segments as the automotive business, household appliance manufacturers and furniture producers, medical technology, and manufacturers of sports goods and shoes.