Please note that archived articles and press releases can be accessed via the links at the foot of this page.

Notes to Editors

28th August 2010

Focus on Mass Transit applications at China Expo 2010

Advanced Composites Group Ltd. (ACG), part of Umeco Composites Structural Materials (UCSM), will be exhibiting in partnership with Shanghai Leadgo-Tech Limited on Stand A1324-1330-1425-1431 at the China International Composites Industrial Technical Expo in Beijing’s China National Convention Centre from the 15th to 17th September 2010.

ACG’s focus at the exhibition will be on the application of its advanced technologies across mass transit applications, particularly its phenolic resin prepreg systems, which offer extremely low fire propagation and surface spread of flame combined with low smoke and toxic gas emission.

ACG’s MTM82S-C phenolic prepregs are available on a wide range of carbon and glass fibre materials, which are suitable for both monolithic and sandwich structures.

MTM82S-C phenolic prepregs have been extensively tested and shown to meet the requirements of British Standards BS 476 Parts 6 and 7 and BS 6853 Cat 1a, French Standards NF P 92-501 Rating M1 and NF F 16-101 Rating F1, and German DIN5510 Ratings S2, SR2 and ST2.

ACG, a prominent global provider of optimised composite solutions to the automotive, aerospace, marine, space, motorsport, defence, and alternative energy markets, offers a range of epoxy, cyanate ester, bismaleimide and phenolic prepreg systems supported by network of dedicated sales and support agencies.

Image: Bigstock.com

For further information, please contact:

Advanced Composites Group
Richard Horn – Rail Transport Market Sector Manager
Telephone: +44 (0)1773 766200
E-mail: rhorn @ acg.co.uk

28th August 2010

ACG Demonstrates Composite Expertise at Composites Europe Exhibition 2010

Advanced Composites Group Ltd. (ACG), part of Umeco Composites Structural Materials (UCSM), will be exhibiting its composite technology at the Composites Europe exhibition on Stand B36 in Hall10/11 at the Essen Exhibition Centre in Essen, Germany from the 14th to 16th September 2010.

ACG, a manufacturer of epoxy, cyanate ester, bismaleimide and phenolic resin systems for use in aerospace, space and defence applications, will be co-exhibiting with its sister company, Richmond Aerovac, the global manufacturer of vacuum bagging products, principally for the defence, aerospace, wind energy, marine, motorsport and industrial sectors.

Building on its motor racing and super car pedigree, ACG supplies a wide range of prepreg composite solutions that meet the growing demands of the automotive industry.

ACG’s representatives will be on hand to discuss and demonstrate the range of structural, body panel, high quality aesthetic finishes and tooling solutions exhibited on the stand. This will include:

A door module for Delta Motorsport’s E-4 Coupe. Manufactured by KS Composites, this exhibit combines ACG’s BPS240 body panel for the outer shell with ACG’s DForm® Deformable Composite System, one of the company’s latest innovations, for the inner structural element of the door. DForm®, a long fibre advanced moulding system offering rapid processing and no compromise in structural performance, is targeted at the medium/high volume automotive market.

A range of cosmetic and structural parts plus tooling exhibits to demonstrate the aesthetic qualities of ACG’s automotive prepregs and available tooling options.

ACG’s prepreg systems use a range of high performance resins combined with woven, stitched and unidirectional fibre formats. To meet the exacting requirements of the automotive interiors industry, ACG has, with assistance from its fibre weavers, developed a Special Visual Quality (SVQ) fabric specification maximising the aesthetic impact of carbon fibre finishes.

From its prepreg manufacturing facilities in the UK, ACG services the automotive market by delivering custom formatted products manufactured to short lead times and delivered through a global network of dedicated sales and support agencies.

Image copyright ACG Ltd.

For further information, please contact:

Advanced Composites Group
Jon Stowell – Sales and Marketing Director
Telephone: +44 (0)1773 766200
E-mail: jstowell @ acg.co.uk

30th July 2010

QinetiQ’s Zephyr Solar-Powered UAV Shatters Flight Endurance Record using Advanced Composites Group’s MTM®45-1 Prepregs

MTM®45-1 epoxy resin based carbon fibre prepregs manufactured by Advanced Composites Group (ACG), a member of Umeco Composites Structural Materials (UCSM) – a Division of Umeco plc, have been used in a number of formats by QinetiQ to manufacture the wing and fuselage frames for its record-breaking Zephyr solar-powered unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).

Hand launched by a small team, QinetiQ’s Zephyr UAV took to the skies above the US Army's Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona at 0640 local time (1440 BST) on Friday 9th July and remained aloft for 14 days and 21 minutes, having completed all aspects of its planned trial. 

The previous ‘official’ record of 30 hours and 24 minutes, set by a US Global Hawk UAV, was smashed in an ‘unofficial’ attempt when an earlier version of Zephyr flew for 82 hours and 32 minutes in 2008. Following the recent record-breaking flight, Chris Kelleher, QinetiQ’s chief designer said, “We have designed, built and delivered what will be remembered as a milestone in aviation history.” He continues, “Zephyr will transform the delivery of current services such as communications, and lead to many new applications which are not possible or affordable by other means, and now await the FAI (World Air Sports Federation) official confirmation of the world records.” QinetiQ’s aim was to produce "the world's first truly eternal plane, capable of providing a low-cost, persistent surveillance capability over months rather than days", and it would seem that the company has achieved this.

The new record can be attributed in part to the extended wingspan, now 22.5 metre (74 foot), and performance enhancements afforded by aerodynamic features, such as the radical wing and tail designs. Weighing just over 50 kilograms, Zephyr flies on solar power generated by amorphous, wafer-thin silicon arrays attached to the aircraft's wings; these arrays recharge lithium-sulphur batteries during sunlight hours to provide the power overnight.

The recent flight demonstrates the use of solar-powered high-altitude, long-endurance (Hale) UAVs. In addition to the obvious defence and security applications, commercial uses include environmental research, monitoring crops and pollution, providing tactical intelligence over disaster zones or forest fires, plus delivering mobile communications capabilities in remote areas.

ACG’s MTM45-1 is a variable cure temperature, high performance, toughened epoxy matrix system optimised for low pressure vacuum bag processing in both prepreg and film infusion formats. MTM45-1 can also be autoclave cured.

MTM45-1 may be cured at temperatures as low as 80°C, allowing the use of low cost tooling for prototypes and short production runs. After a free-standing 180°C post-cure, MTM45-1 is capable of 190°C/150°C dry/wet Tg and can offer a high level of damage tolerance

A number of MTM45-1 prepreg materials already have FAA approved design databases, allowing them to be used for Out-of-Autoclave (OoA) processed certified aircraft structures without extensive qualification testing. This offers considerable up-front cost savings, as well as lower manufacturing costs when compared to autoclave processes.   

Image copyright: QinetiQ Group plc.

29th June 2010

ACG Demonstrates Composite Expertise at Farnborough 2010

Advanced Composites Group Ltd. (ACG), part of Umeco Composites Structural Materials (UCSM), will be exhibiting its composite technology on Stand A12 at the 2010 Farnborough International Airshow from the 19th to 25th July 2010.

ACG, a manufacturer a wide range of epoxy, cyanate ester, bismaleimide and phenolic resin systems for use in aerospace, space and defence applications, will be co-exhibiting with Pattonair International Ltd, the global distribution and supply chain management business of Umeco PLC.

MTM®44-1, ACG’s Out-of-Autoclave (OoA) pre-impregnated (prepreg) system, which has received Airbus qualification in both fabric and unidirectional formats for primary and secondary structures, is a toughened epoxy matrix optimised for low pressure vacuum-bag processing curing at 130°C and full performance after a 180°C post-cure. Airbus and ACG have underpinned the qualification of MTM44-1 by signing a framework contract that will provide commercial and technical stability to Airbus subcontractors adopting this new technology over the coming years

Centre stage will be the BTT-3 Banshee aerial target system, one of a range of remotely piloted vehicles offered by Meggitt Defence Systems. Parts of BTT-3 Banshee have been moulded using ACG’s MTM®57 epoxy prepreg system. The Banshee is in active service in over 30 countries, including 10 within NATO.

ACG’s representatives will be on hand to discuss and demonstrate the full range of structural solutions exhibited on the stand.

ACG caters for the needs of all markets and delivers optimised product formats to short lead-times, a service which is supported by a global network of dedicated sales and support agencies.

Image copyright: - Meggitt Defense Systems

For further information, please contact:

Advanced Composites Group
Jon Stowell – Sales and Marketing Director
Telephone: +44 (0)1773 766204
E-mail: jstowell @ acg.co.uk

17th June 2010

ACG Announces Sale of South African Subsidiary

Advanced Composites Group Ltd. (ACG), part of Umeco Composite Structural Materials (UCSM) - a Division of Umeco plc, has agreed terms for the divestment of the business and assets of its South African based subsidiary, Advanced Composites Group SA (Pty) Limited (ACGSA), to AAT Composites (Pty) Limited.

The consideration payable for the business and assets is ZAR5.4 million (£0.5 million), subject to adjustment for working capital balances at completion.

ACG acquired ACGSA in June 2006, its principal business being the supply of composite parts supplied to McLaren Automotive for the McLaren Mercedes SLR super car. The programme has now come to an end and, therefore, the strategic rationale for retaining the business has diminished.

Completion of the divestment is expected to occur on or before 30 June 2010 and is subject to various conditions precedent being satisfied.

For further information, please contact:

Advanced Composites Group
Jon Stowell – Sales and Marketing Director
Telephone: +44 (0)1773 766204
E-mail: jstowell @ acg.co.uk

3rd June 2010

Lloyd’s Register of Shipping Recertification of ACG’s VTM260 Series Prepregs

Advanced Composites Group Ltd. (ACG), part of Umeco Composites Structural Materials (UCSM), a Division of Umeco plc, recently achieved recertification of its VTM®260 Series prepregs from Lloyd’s Register of Shipping.

ACG’s VTM260 Series, the first and only prepreg system to have received Lloyd’s Resister approval, has been widely accepted in the marine industry and is now the product of choice at the highest levels in yacht racing. VTM260 Series offers an array of low pressure, low temperature (from 65°C) processing options and the approval has been extended to include a new variant, VTM267, which has been optimised for resin film infusion, a process favoured for heavier fabric reinforcements typically used in series production. Combined with a complementary range of surfacing and adhesive films, mouldable cores, 30-day workshop out life and polyester gel coat bonding capability, ACG’s VTM260 Series is proving to be an exceptionally versatile marine prepreg system.

First launched in 2001, VTM260 Series prepregs found immediate success in the America’s Cup and ACG can now count many more successful builds and cup victories. These prepregs have also come to the forefront in the gruelling Volvo Ocean Race, scoring two victories to date.

ACG’s VTM260 Series prepregs have also gained favour in the equally glamorous world of powerboat construction. Here, the aesthetic qualities of carbon fibre are often as desirable as its lightweight structural possibilities and, from patrol boats to racing dinghies, VTM260 Series prepregs are leading the way in performance marine composite construction.

The performance benefits that composite materials offer have long been recognised in the general marine market, where they have displaced traditional materials such as wood and aluminium. As owner expectations rise and the environmental and health and safety pressures build-up against general wet lay-up processing, the marine industry must adopt more advanced construction methods and materials. Low temperature prepregs, such as VTM267, which can be offered in rapid layup formats, are ideal for the construction of large format and series boats, where they offer a simplified and ‘low risk’ route to reduced cost and reproducible high performance.

ACG now considers Lloyd’s Approval as key to the even wider acceptance and growth of prepreg technology in the marine industry.

Image: Princess V70, courtesy of Princess International Yachts plc.

For further information, please contact:

Advanced Composites Group
Henry Nicholson-Cole – Marine Market Sector Manager / Dr. John Nixon – Technical Marketing Manager
Telephone: +44 (0)1773 766200
E-mail: hnicholson-cole @ acg.co.uk / jnixon @ acg.co.uk

1st June 2010

ACG Exhibits Composite Solutions for Automotive Interiors Applications at Automotive Interiors Expo

Advanced Composites Group Ltd. (ACG), part of Umeco Composites Structural Materials (UCSM), a Division of Umeco plc, will be exhibiting its automotive composites technology on Stand 5147 in Hall 5 at the Automotive Interiors EXPO, which takes place at the New Messe, Stuttgart, Germany between the 22nd and 24th June 2010.

Building on its motor racing and super car pedigree, ACG supplies a wide range of prepreg composite solutions that meet the growing demands of the automotive industry.

ACG’s representatives will be on hand to discuss and demonstrate the range of structural, body panel, high quality aesthetic finishes and tooling solutions exhibited on the stand. This will include:

• A door module for Delta Motorsport’s E-4 Coupe. Manufactured by KS Composites, this exhibit combines ACG’s BPS240 body panel for the outer shell with ACG’s DForm® Deformable Composite System, one of the company’s latest innovations, for the inner structural element of the door. DForm®, a long fibre advanced moulding system offering rapid processing and no compromise in structural performance, is targeted at the medium/high volume automotive market.

• A range of cosmetic and structural parts manufactured by Carbotech Composites GmbH in Salzburg and Akrapovic Manufacturing in Slovenia.

ACG’s prepreg systems use a range of high performance resins combined with woven, stitched and unidirectional fibre formats. To meet the exacting requirements of the automotive interiors industry, ACG has, with assistance from its fibre weavers, developed a Special Visual Quality (SVQ) fabric specification maximising the aesthetic impact of carbon fibre finishes.

From its prepreg manufacturing facilities in the UK, ACG services the automotive market by delivering custom formatted products manufactured to short lead times and delivered though a global network of dedicated sales and support agencies.

Image copyright ACG Ltd.

For further information, please contact:

Advanced Composites Group
Mike Millward
Telephone: +44 (0)1773 766200
E-mail: mmillward @ acg.co.uk

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25th May 2010

ACG’s High Modulus Prepregs Provide Improved Performance for F18 Class Catamarans

Prepregs manufactured using a combination of medium temperature moulding epoxy resin and high modulus carbon fibre reinforcement from Advanced Composites Group Ltd (ACG), part of Umeco Composites Structural Materials (UCSM), a Division of Umeco plc, are being used by Colchester-UK based Reverie Limited to produce a new range of autoclaved sports catamaran foils for the popular world F18 class, focusing initially on Hobie’s New ‘Wildcat’ and Nacra’s popular ‘Infusion’.

Simon Farren, MD of ReVerie comments: “Reverie’s foils are significantly stiffer and lighter than the OEM boards as they are made using high modulus fabrics and, importantly, from autoclaved prepregs rather than traditional foam cored, wet-laminated carbon/glass products. He continues: “Using the autoclaved process allows us to use a clever internal vacuum bagging technique to create hollow longitudinal carbon stringers within the narrow chord section of the foil. This prevents the skins buckling and vastly increases the bending resistance of the foil.”

ReVerie uses ACG’s MTM®28 epoxy resin system with a high modulus, unidirectional fabric near the surface at the maximum chord width section to gain optimum stiffness.

Top sailing teams select Reverie foils because of the weight saving and higher stiffness achieved. This increased stiffness results in enhanced hydrodynamic grip, which improves the transfer of combined sail and rig generated power thereby increasing speed.”

ACG MTM®28 prepreg is based on 120°C (248°F) curing toughened, epoxy matrix resin that has been developed for the manufacture of components requiring high damage tolerance. MTM®28 provides good adhesive properties and will bond to a honeycomb core without the need for an additional adhesive film. While ReVerie autoclaved its foils, MTM28 can also be processed via oven/vacuum bag or press moulding.

Main image copyright and courtesy of Ingrid Abery Photography. Foil images copyright and courtesy of Reverie Ltd.

For further information, please contact:

Advanced Composites Group
Henry Nicholson-Cole – Marine Market Sector Manager
Telephone: +44 (0)1773 766200
E-mail: hnicholson-cole @ acg.co.uk

Reverie Limited: www.reverie.ltd.uk

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28th April 2010

ACG’s and J. D. Lincoln - Custom Range of Prepregs for Aircraft Interiors

Advanced Composites Group Ltd. (ACG) and J.D. Lincoln, members of the Composites Division of Umeco plc, will be exhibiting their prepreg materials on Umeco Composites Structural Materials’ (UCSM) Stand 5F9 in Hall B5 at the Aircraft Interiors Expo in the Hamburg Messe, Germany, between the 18th and 20th May 2010.

Collectively, the companies manufacture a wide range of prepreg materials, including: phenolic, epoxy and bismaleimide (BMI) resin systems which can be supplied in a number of different formats and fibre reinforcements, such as carbon, E, R and S-Glass.

These prepreg materials exhibit excellent fire performance characteristics such as low heat release and minimal emission of smoke and toxic gases, thus enabling components to meet the mandatory requirements of the FAA’s FAR25.853 and Airbus’ ABD0031 directives. Materials are currently in use on aircraft such as Airbus’ A380 and Boeing’s 787.

The phenolic prepregs manufactured by ACG and J.D. Lincoln are widely used in passenger cabin interior applications for components such as side wall and ceiling panels, partitions, seats, flooring and modular fittings. The latter includes lavatories, galleys, wardrobes and overhead luggage bins, where they offer very high stiffness to weight, particularly as honeycomb-cored structures. These prepregs are also used for seat outer shells, air ducting and cargo liners.

From prepreg manufacturing facilities in the UK and the USA, the Group services all markets around the globe by delivering custom products to short lead times. This is supported by a global network of dedicated sales and support agencies.

Image copyright iStockphoto.com

For further information, please contact:

Advanced Composites Group
Xavier Gambert – Aerospace Sector Manager
Telephone:
Direct: +33 478536649 or ACG: +44 (0)1773 766200
E-mail: xgambert @ acg.co.uk

JD Lincoln Inc
Clint Refsnyder - Vice President Sales & Marketing
Telephone: Office 949/650-8106 or Cell 310/508-6132
E-mail: c.refsnyder @ jdlincoln.com
Web site: www.jdlincoln.com

J. D. Lincoln - speciality materials and technology company that manufactures high performance adhesives and composite materials for aerospace, marine, medical, sporting, automotive and other extreme environment applications. JD Lincoln's products are technologically advanced including those designed specifically for aircraft interior applications. They are complementary to the other activities of Umeco Composites. Offices are located in Costa Mesa, CA and Adelanto, CA where we produced materials for over 350 customers worldwide.

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Archived Press Releases

Additional general and market specific press releases are located in their respective archive locations. Please follow one of the following links to view this material.

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