Hexcel and Arkema recently announced they have signed a strategic alliance to develop thermoplastic composite solutions for the aerospace sector. The partnership reportedly aims to develop carbon fiber-reinforced thermoplastic tapes to produce lightweight parts for future generations of aircraft. In addition to lightweighting, these new composites could provide lower cost and faster production speeds for customers in the aerospace and the space and defense sectors. As part of this partnership, a joint research and development laboratory will be established in France.

“I am delighted to announce this partnership with Hexcel, a leading advanced composites supplier to the aerospace industry,” said Thierry Le Hénaff, Arkema chairman and CEO. “This association fits in clearly with our strategy to develop advanced thermoplastic composite solutions from our PEKK resins, and takes effect a few months before the commissioning of our new PEKK plant in the U.S. in Mobile (Alabama) scheduled for the end of 2018.”

“We’re excited to join this collaboration with Arkema to continue exploring and defining the future of carbon fiber-reinforced thermoplastics in the aerospace industry,” said Nick Stanage, Hexcel chairman and CEO. “With this opportunity and our recent acquisition of the aerospace and defense business of Oxford Performance Materials (OPM), Hexcel is quickly becoming an industry leader in advanced composite thermoplastic technologies.”

For more information, visit www.arkema.com or www.hexcel.com.