Composites
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Owens Corning to sell glass reinforcements business to Praana Group
Owens Corning, a residential and commercial building products leader, and Praana Group, an India-based holding group that operates a diverse portfolio of companies primarily serving the industrial sector, announced today that they have signed a definitive agreement for the sale of Owens Corning’s glass reinforcements business to Praana Group (through its subsidiaries) at an enterprise value of $755,000,000. This sale is a part of Owens Corning’s strategic plan to reshape the company to focus on residential and commercial building products in North America and Europe.
Owens Corning’s glass reinforcements business, part of the company’s Composites segment, manufactures, fabricates and sells glass fibre reinforcements for a wide variety of applications in wind energy, infrastructure, industrial, transportation and consumer markets. The business generated revenue of approximately $1.1 billion in 2024 and has approximately 4,000 employees across a global footprint that includes 18 operations in 12 countries.
Brian Chambers, Owens Corning Chair and Chief Executive Officer, stated, “After a comprehensive review of strategic alternatives, the Owens Corning Board concluded that a sale of the business to the Praana Group supports the company’s strategic plan and results in the greatest overall value to its shareholders. I want to thank the glass reinforcements team for their continued focus on operating safely, delivering high-quality products, and helping customers win and grow in the market.
“This transaction strengthens Owens Corning as a focused, more capital-efficient building products leader in North America and Europe. The combination of today’s announcement, along with the strategic initiatives and investments we have made over the past several years, positions us to drive profitable growth and deliver strong cash generation to maximise long-term shareholder value,” concluded Chambers.
Vishal Goenka, Vice Chairman of Praana Group, and Anuj Goenka, Executive Board Member of Praana Group, said, “The glass fibre reinforcement business is highly competitive and is poised for growth in the medium to long run, especially on account of the global push towards adoption of clean energy, reduction of carbon footprint and material substitution. This strategic acquisition will grow our footprint in glass reinforcements with new geographies, broaden the scope of our operations, and enhance our ability to deliver solutions that contribute to global efforts for a more sustainable and efficient future. It will also strengthen Praana Group’s competitiveness and operational efficiencies in glass fibre reinforcements for composites for the industrial sector.”
Vishal Shah, Executive Director and Global Head of M&A for Praana Group, added, “Praana has a long track record of acquiring carve-outs and establishing them as thriving, independent companies. We are highly enthusiastic about the acquisition of Owens Corning’s glass reinforcements business and believe it represents a great opportunity to implement our transformational growth strategy.”
The sale will complete Owens Corning’s review of strategic alternatives for the business announced in early 2024. The transaction is expected to close in 2025 and is subject to customary regulatory approvals and other conditions.
Owens Corning will retain the other businesses within its Composites segment. These include the company’s vertically integrated glass nonwovens business that supports its Roofing segment and other building products customers, along with its structural lumber business. Going forward, these businesses will operate within Owens Corning’s Roofing segment. Owens Corning’s 2 glass melting plants in the U.S., which provide glass fibres to make nonwovens products, will operate and be integrated within its Insulation segment.
About Owens Corning
Owens Corning, a residential and commercial building products leader, and Praana Group, an India-based holding group that operates a diverse portfolio of companies primarily serving the industrial sector, announced today that they have signed a definitive agreement for the sale of Owens Corning’s glass reinforcements business to Praana Group (through its subsidiaries) at an enterprise value of $755,000,000. This sale is a part of Owens Corning’s strategic plan to reshape the company to focus on residential and commercial building products in North America and Europe.
Owens Corning’s glass reinforcements business, part of the company’s Composites segment, manufactures, fabricates and sells glass fibre reinforcements for a wide variety of applications in wind energy, infrastructure, industrial, transportation and consumer markets. The business generated revenue of approximately $1.1 billion in 2024 and has approximately 4,000 employees across a global footprint that includes 18 operations in 12 countries.
Brian Chambers, Owens Corning Chair and Chief Executive Officer, stated, “After a comprehensive review of strategic alternatives, the Owens Corning Board concluded that a sale of the business to the Praana Group supports the company’s strategic plan and results in the greatest overall value to its shareholders. I want to thank the glass reinforcements team for their continued focus on operating safely, delivering high-quality products, and helping customers win and grow in the market.
“This transaction strengthens Owens Corning as a focused, more capital-efficient building products leader in North America and Europe. The combination of today’s announcement, along with the strategic initiatives and investments we have made over the past several years, positions us to drive profitable growth and deliver strong cash generation to maximise long-term shareholder value,” concluded Chambers.
Vishal Goenka, Vice Chairman of Praana Group, and Anuj Goenka, Executive Board Member of Praana Group, said, “The glass fibre reinforcement business is highly competitive and is poised for growth in the medium to long run, especially on account of the global push towards adoption of clean energy, reduction of carbon footprint and material substitution. This strategic acquisition will grow our footprint in glass reinforcements with new geographies, broaden the scope of our operations, and enhance our ability to deliver solutions that contribute to global efforts for a more sustainable and efficient future. It will also strengthen Praana Group’s competitiveness and operational efficiencies in glass fibre reinforcements for composites for the industrial sector.”
Vishal Shah, Executive Director and Global Head of M&A for Praana Group, added, “Praana has a long track record of acquiring carve-outs and establishing them as thriving, independent companies. We are highly enthusiastic about the acquisition of Owens Corning’s glass reinforcements business and believe it represents a great opportunity to implement our transformational growth strategy.”
The sale will complete Owens Corning’s review of strategic alternatives for the business announced in early 2024. The transaction is expected to close in 2025 and is subject to customary regulatory approvals and other conditions.
Owens Corning will retain the other businesses within its Composites segment. These include the company’s vertically integrated glass nonwovens business that supports its Roofing segment and other building products customers, along with its structural lumber business. Going forward, these businesses will operate within Owens Corning’s Roofing segment. Owens Corning’s 2 glass melting plants in the U.S., which provide glass fibres to make nonwovens products, will operate and be integrated within its Insulation segment.
About Owens Corning
Composites
Photo
Owens Corning is a residential and commercial building products leader committed to building a sustainable future through material innovation. Their products provide durable, sustainable, energy-efficient solutions that leverage their unique capabilities and market-leading positions to help their customers win and grow. They are global in scope, human in scale with more than 25,000 employees in 31 countries dedicated to generating value for their customers and shareholders and making a difference in the communities where they work and live. Founded in 1938 and based in Toledo, Ohio, USA, Owens Corning posted 2023 sales of $9.7 billion.
About Praana Group
Established in 1956, Praana Group is an India-based multinational engaged in operating a global portfolio of manufacturing facilities in the fields of specialty chemicals (Sterling Specialty Chemicals, Galata Chemicals, Artek Surfin Chemicals) and glass fibre & composite materials (3B Fibreglass). Their innovative solutions and high-quality products cater to a wide range of industries like construction, textiles, automotive, home & personal care, energy and industrial markets. Their philosophy revolves around a growth mindset, sufficient capitalization for contingencies and a relentless commitment to sustainability standards.
#composites #OwensCorning #PraanaGroup
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About Praana Group
Established in 1956, Praana Group is an India-based multinational engaged in operating a global portfolio of manufacturing facilities in the fields of specialty chemicals (Sterling Specialty Chemicals, Galata Chemicals, Artek Surfin Chemicals) and glass fibre & composite materials (3B Fibreglass). Their innovative solutions and high-quality products cater to a wide range of industries like construction, textiles, automotive, home & personal care, energy and industrial markets. Their philosophy revolves around a growth mindset, sufficient capitalization for contingencies and a relentless commitment to sustainability standards.
#composites #OwensCorning #PraanaGroup
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Dear participants and visitors of the «Composite Expo 2025» exhibition!
📋 The preliminary program of the Sixth scientific and practical conference "Practical aspects of using composite materials in various industries" is posted on the event website.
Date: March 26, 2025.
Venue: Moscow, Expocentre Fairgrounds, Pavilion 1, Conference-Hall D2, Entrance D, 3rd floor.
Organizers: Mir-Expo Exhibition Company, Composite World Magazine.
There are still a few time slots left for presentations. You can book them in the corresponding section of the website.
Attendance at the conference is free for listeners, subject to prior registration on the website.
📋 The preliminary program of the Sixth scientific and practical conference "Practical aspects of using composite materials in various industries" is posted on the event website.
Date: March 26, 2025.
Venue: Moscow, Expocentre Fairgrounds, Pavilion 1, Conference-Hall D2, Entrance D, 3rd floor.
Organizers: Mir-Expo Exhibition Company, Composite World Magazine.
There are still a few time slots left for presentations. You can book them in the corresponding section of the website.
Attendance at the conference is free for listeners, subject to prior registration on the website.
Dear visitors of the exhibition "Composite-Expo 2025"!
The layouts of the exhibition in pavilions 1, 5 and 8 (hall 2) of the Expocentre Fairgrounds have been posted on the website.
You can see them in large format in the corresponding section of the website.
The layouts of the exhibition in pavilions 1, 5 and 8 (hall 2) of the Expocentre Fairgrounds have been posted on the website.
You can see them in large format in the corresponding section of the website.
Dear Exhibitors!
❗️ On the website of "Composite-Expo" in the "Documents" section, a guide for participants of the event has been posted.
Please read this information carefully and strictly follow the recommendations provided in it. This will simplify and significantly reduce the time it takes to get to and from the exhibition after the work is completed.
Sincerely, the organizing committee of the "Composite-Expo" exhibition.
❗️ On the website of "Composite-Expo" in the "Documents" section, a guide for participants of the event has been posted.
Please read this information carefully and strictly follow the recommendations provided in it. This will simplify and significantly reduce the time it takes to get to and from the exhibition after the work is completed.
Sincerely, the organizing committee of the "Composite-Expo" exhibition.
Dear visitors!
At the Composite Expo 2025 exhibition, more than 150 companies from Russia, the Republic of Belarus, China, Turkey and the Islamic Republic of Iran will present their components, technologies and equipment for the production of composite materials.
📄 The electronic catalogue of exhibitors is available on the official website of the event.
🔶 Registration to receive a free invitation ticket for the exhibition and business program.
March 25 - 27, Expocentre Fairgrounds, pavilions 1, 5, 8 (hall 2), Moscow, Russia.
At the Composite Expo 2025 exhibition, more than 150 companies from Russia, the Republic of Belarus, China, Turkey and the Islamic Republic of Iran will present their components, technologies and equipment for the production of composite materials.
📄 The electronic catalogue of exhibitors is available on the official website of the event.
🔶 Registration to receive a free invitation ticket for the exhibition and business program.
March 25 - 27, Expocentre Fairgrounds, pavilions 1, 5, 8 (hall 2), Moscow, Russia.
Dear friends!
Tomorrow Composite Expo Exhibition 2025 starts In Moscow!
More than 150 exhibitors from Russia, the Republic of Belarus, China, Turkey and the Islamic Republic of Iran will be located in pavilions 1, 5 and 8 (hall 2) of the Expocentre Fairgrounds, Moscow, Russia.
Visitors will have three days of active communication at the stands and business program events.
🕒 Exhibition opening hours:
March 25 and 26: 10:00 - 18:00
March 27: 10:00 - 16:00
🔸 Get an invitation
🔸 Venue
‼️ Attention to visitors:
due to technical reasons, the Western Entrance of the Expocentre Fairgrounds will be closed on March 25 and 26. We ask you to use the Southern Entrance and allow extra time to enter the Fairgrounds.
Some of the participants: Aviation paint and varnish technologies, BelStekloPlast, BMP Technology, Vist Composite, Volna, Glasstex, Dugalak, Eurokhim-1 Functional Additives, ETS SP, Intelligent Robot Systems, ITEKMA, Carbon Studio, Carbontex, MegaPlast, Melitek, Neva Technology, NEO Chemical, Niagara, Nortex, Peleng, Polimerprom, Polotsk-Steklovolokno, ROSATOM, Siberian analytical systems, Sibur, Tatneft-Presscomposit, F2 Innovations, Formula Carbon, KhimSnab Composite, Shelanger chemical plant Sayver, Epital ENPC, Yumateks JSC and many others.
🔸 Exhibitor Catalogue
🔸 Floor plan
Within the exhibition business program:
A Round Table "Advanced Composite Materials for Various Industries: Present and Future" will be held on March 25. Venue: Expocentre Fairgrounds, Pavilion 1, Conference Hall D2, Entrance D, 3rd floor. Opening hours: 11:00.
The 6th Scientific and Practical Conference "Practical Aspects of Composite Materials Application in Various Industries" will be held on March 26. Venue: Expocentre Fairgrounds, Pavilion 1, Conference Hall D2, Entrance D, 3rd floor. Opening hours: 10:20.
🔸 Business program
The 16th International Specialized Exhibition POLYURETHANEX 2025 will be held in parallel with COMPOSITE-EXPO from March 25 to 27 in pavilions 1, 5 and 8 of the Expocentre Fairgrounds, Moscow, Russia.
See you at the exhibitions and events of the business program!
#CompositeExpo2025 #CompositeExpo #CompositeExpoExhibition #composites #compositematerials
Tomorrow Composite Expo Exhibition 2025 starts In Moscow!
More than 150 exhibitors from Russia, the Republic of Belarus, China, Turkey and the Islamic Republic of Iran will be located in pavilions 1, 5 and 8 (hall 2) of the Expocentre Fairgrounds, Moscow, Russia.
Visitors will have three days of active communication at the stands and business program events.
🕒 Exhibition opening hours:
March 25 and 26: 10:00 - 18:00
March 27: 10:00 - 16:00
🔸 Get an invitation
🔸 Venue
‼️ Attention to visitors:
due to technical reasons, the Western Entrance of the Expocentre Fairgrounds will be closed on March 25 and 26. We ask you to use the Southern Entrance and allow extra time to enter the Fairgrounds.
Some of the participants: Aviation paint and varnish technologies, BelStekloPlast, BMP Technology, Vist Composite, Volna, Glasstex, Dugalak, Eurokhim-1 Functional Additives, ETS SP, Intelligent Robot Systems, ITEKMA, Carbon Studio, Carbontex, MegaPlast, Melitek, Neva Technology, NEO Chemical, Niagara, Nortex, Peleng, Polimerprom, Polotsk-Steklovolokno, ROSATOM, Siberian analytical systems, Sibur, Tatneft-Presscomposit, F2 Innovations, Formula Carbon, KhimSnab Composite, Shelanger chemical plant Sayver, Epital ENPC, Yumateks JSC and many others.
🔸 Exhibitor Catalogue
🔸 Floor plan
Within the exhibition business program:
A Round Table "Advanced Composite Materials for Various Industries: Present and Future" will be held on March 25. Venue: Expocentre Fairgrounds, Pavilion 1, Conference Hall D2, Entrance D, 3rd floor. Opening hours: 11:00.
The 6th Scientific and Practical Conference "Practical Aspects of Composite Materials Application in Various Industries" will be held on March 26. Venue: Expocentre Fairgrounds, Pavilion 1, Conference Hall D2, Entrance D, 3rd floor. Opening hours: 10:20.
🔸 Business program
The 16th International Specialized Exhibition POLYURETHANEX 2025 will be held in parallel with COMPOSITE-EXPO from March 25 to 27 in pavilions 1, 5 and 8 of the Expocentre Fairgrounds, Moscow, Russia.
See you at the exhibitions and events of the business program!
#CompositeExpo2025 #CompositeExpo #CompositeExpoExhibition #composites #compositematerials
Dear visitors, exhibitors, colleagues!
⚡️ Today is the first day of the exhibition "Composite-Expo - 2025".
As part of the business program of the event, a Round Table "Advanced Composite Materials for Various Industries: Present and Future" will be held today from 11.00 till 14.00.
Working language: Russian.
Venue: Moscow, Expocentre Fairgrounds, Pavilion 1, Hall D2, Entrance D, 3rd floor.
Round table organizers: Kurchatov Institute Research Center, Kurchatov Institute Research Center - Prometheus Research Institute of Structural Materials, Kurchatov Institute Research Center - VIAM.
Attendance at the exhibition and business program events is free, subject to prior registration.
🔶 Get an invitation
📄 Exhibitors catalogue
🔶 Exhibition venue
See you in pavilions 1, 5 and 8 (hall 2) of the Expocentre Fairgrounds, Moscow, Russia at the main event of the year in the composite industry!
‼️ Access to the Expocentre Fairgrounds is through the South Entrance.
⚡️ Today is the first day of the exhibition "Composite-Expo - 2025".
As part of the business program of the event, a Round Table "Advanced Composite Materials for Various Industries: Present and Future" will be held today from 11.00 till 14.00.
Working language: Russian.
Venue: Moscow, Expocentre Fairgrounds, Pavilion 1, Hall D2, Entrance D, 3rd floor.
Round table organizers: Kurchatov Institute Research Center, Kurchatov Institute Research Center - Prometheus Research Institute of Structural Materials, Kurchatov Institute Research Center - VIAM.
Attendance at the exhibition and business program events is free, subject to prior registration.
🔶 Get an invitation
📄 Exhibitors catalogue
🔶 Exhibition venue
See you in pavilions 1, 5 and 8 (hall 2) of the Expocentre Fairgrounds, Moscow, Russia at the main event of the year in the composite industry!
‼️ Access to the Expocentre Fairgrounds is through the South Entrance.
Dear visitors!
The Composite Expo 2025 exhibition continues its work.
Today, as part of the business program of the event, the Sixth Scientific and Practical Conference "Practical Aspects of Using Composite Materials in Various Industries" will be held.
Venue: Expocentre Fairgrounds, Pavilion 1, Conference Hall D2, Entrance D, 3rd floor.
Working hours: 10.20 - 15.30.
Organizers: Mir-Expo Exhibition Company, Composite World Magazine.
🔹 Conference Program
Attendance to the business program is free, subject to prior registration.
🔶 Get an invitation
📄 Exhibitors' catalogue
🔶 Exhibition venue
‼️ We remind you that on March 26, access to the Expocentre Fairgrounds is through the South Entrance.
Exhibition hours are 10:00 - 18:00.
See you there!
The Composite Expo 2025 exhibition continues its work.
Today, as part of the business program of the event, the Sixth Scientific and Practical Conference "Practical Aspects of Using Composite Materials in Various Industries" will be held.
Venue: Expocentre Fairgrounds, Pavilion 1, Conference Hall D2, Entrance D, 3rd floor.
Working hours: 10.20 - 15.30.
Organizers: Mir-Expo Exhibition Company, Composite World Magazine.
🔹 Conference Program
Attendance to the business program is free, subject to prior registration.
🔶 Get an invitation
📄 Exhibitors' catalogue
🔶 Exhibition venue
‼️ We remind you that on March 26, access to the Expocentre Fairgrounds is through the South Entrance.
Exhibition hours are 10:00 - 18:00.
See you there!
Dear participants, visitors, colleagues!
The three working days of the Composite-Expo 2025 and Polyurethanex 2025 exhibitions flew by quickly, filled with fruitful communication and exchange of experience.
🤝 We thank the regular exhibitors of our events, as well as the companies that decided to participate in the exhibitions for the first time!
We also thank the visitors for their active interest in the exhibitions and the extensive business program!
📄 We will post the final information on the events (press releases, photos, participant reviews, statistics, etc.) on the official websites in the near future.
The 18th International Composite-Expo 2026 Exhibition and the 17th International Polyurethanex 2026 Exhibition will be held in Moscow in the spring of 2026. We will announce the exact dates and location soon.
Preliminary booking of stands is now open!
The three working days of the Composite-Expo 2025 and Polyurethanex 2025 exhibitions flew by quickly, filled with fruitful communication and exchange of experience.
🤝 We thank the regular exhibitors of our events, as well as the companies that decided to participate in the exhibitions for the first time!
We also thank the visitors for their active interest in the exhibitions and the extensive business program!
📄 We will post the final information on the events (press releases, photos, participant reviews, statistics, etc.) on the official websites in the near future.
The 18th International Composite-Expo 2026 Exhibition and the 17th International Polyurethanex 2026 Exhibition will be held in Moscow in the spring of 2026. We will announce the exact dates and location soon.
Preliminary booking of stands is now open!
Composites
Photo
Zhongfu Lianzhong launches 5-metre diameter fibreglass pipeline
DN5000 fibreglass pipelines were rolled off the production line and supplied in batches at Zhongfu Lianzhong’s headquarters in Jiangsu province, China. This achievement marks the company’s technological breakthrough in the field of fibreglass pipe manufacturing, says the company.
As a leading enterprise in the pipe and tank field of China’s composite materials industry, Zhongfu Lianzhong has been committed to the research and development and innovation of fibreglass pipe technology. The DN5000 FRP pipeline was launched after breaking through the limitations of equipment, process, materials and testing, which not only demonstrates Zhongfu Lianzhong’s technical strength in the manufacture of large FRP structural parts, but also sets a new benchmark for the pipe industry.
FRP pipes have the advantages of light weight, high strength, corrosion resistance and long service life, so they have gradually replaced traditional metal pipes in many fields. The successful launch of DN5000 glass fibre pipes will further promote the application of glass fibre pipes in large-scale engineering projects.
#composites #ZhongfuLianzhong #CarbonFibreStone #fibreglass #pipelines
> source
DN5000 fibreglass pipelines were rolled off the production line and supplied in batches at Zhongfu Lianzhong’s headquarters in Jiangsu province, China. This achievement marks the company’s technological breakthrough in the field of fibreglass pipe manufacturing, says the company.
As a leading enterprise in the pipe and tank field of China’s composite materials industry, Zhongfu Lianzhong has been committed to the research and development and innovation of fibreglass pipe technology. The DN5000 FRP pipeline was launched after breaking through the limitations of equipment, process, materials and testing, which not only demonstrates Zhongfu Lianzhong’s technical strength in the manufacture of large FRP structural parts, but also sets a new benchmark for the pipe industry.
FRP pipes have the advantages of light weight, high strength, corrosion resistance and long service life, so they have gradually replaced traditional metal pipes in many fields. The successful launch of DN5000 glass fibre pipes will further promote the application of glass fibre pipes in large-scale engineering projects.
#composites #ZhongfuLianzhong #CarbonFibreStone #fibreglass #pipelines
> source
Dear exhibitors and visitors!
📄 The press release on the Seventeenth International Exhibition "Composite-Expo 2025", which took place from March 25 to 27 at the Expocentre Fairgrounds, is posted on the Composite-Expo website: statistics, participant reviews, photo report.
📸 Photos of the 2025 exhibition
⚡️ In 2026, the 18th Composite Expo exhibition and its business program will be held from April 22 to 24 at a new venue - the Crocus Expo IEC (Pavilion 3, Hall 13).
🔸 Booking of stands has already started
Contacts of the organizing committee:
Phones: +7 (495) 137-78-25, +7 800 333-78-25
E-mail: info@composite-expo.ru
Hurry to take priority exhibition locations!
Traditionally, the 17th Polyurethanex 2026 exhibition will be held in parallel.
📄 The press release on the Seventeenth International Exhibition "Composite-Expo 2025", which took place from March 25 to 27 at the Expocentre Fairgrounds, is posted on the Composite-Expo website: statistics, participant reviews, photo report.
📸 Photos of the 2025 exhibition
⚡️ In 2026, the 18th Composite Expo exhibition and its business program will be held from April 22 to 24 at a new venue - the Crocus Expo IEC (Pavilion 3, Hall 13).
🔸 Booking of stands has already started
Contacts of the organizing committee:
Phones: +7 (495) 137-78-25, +7 800 333-78-25
E-mail: info@composite-expo.ru
Hurry to take priority exhibition locations!
Traditionally, the 17th Polyurethanex 2026 exhibition will be held in parallel.
Composites
Photo
European natural fibers emerge in bio-based architectural projects
The Alliance for European Flax Linen and Hemp highlights several projects in which flax and hemp fibers are being used, emphasizing their increasing use as high-performance, low-impact construction methods.
The Alliance for European Flax-Linen & Hemp (Paris, France) highlights a growing wave of innovative architectural and civil engineering applications featuring flax and hemp fibers. As the global construction industry turns toward sustainable solutions, the organization is seeing flax and hemp emerging as high-performance, low-impact alternatives for a new generation of bio-based architecture.
For instance, flax is stepping beyond interior and insulation use to form key structural elements in buildings. At the forefront of this transformation is the University of Stuttgart’s (Germany) ITECH Research Pavilion 2024 program in Germany. Two lightweight structures have been created using filament-wound flax fibers, demonstrating the material’s strength and design flexibility.
The main pavilion, a semi-permanent structure, features 20 flax fiber roof beams, crafted from Terre de Lin’s (Saint-Pierre-le-Viger, France) 100 Tex rovings and industrially processed by HA-CO Carbon GmbH (Wallerstein, Germany). A second, smaller pavilion incorporates co-wound wood and Safilin’s (Sailly-sur-la-Lys, France) 200 Tex flax fibers in its columns and roof structure. Both projects highlight coreless robotic winding technologies and deliver striking examples of sustainable construction methods.
Flax is also proving its value in cladding and façade systems. French manufacturer Temca (Xertigny, France) recently completed 880 lightweight shading panels using Bcomp’s (Fribourg, Switzerland) ampliTex flax fiber material for the Cité Scolaire Internationale Jacques Chirac business school in Marseille. Designed by architects Rudy Ricciotti and Roland Carta for Bouygues Bâtiment Sud-Est, the system uses RTM-molded ampliTex combined with UV-resistant gelcoat and fire-rated resin, providing a nature-inspired, energy-efficient solution with reduced weight and hardware requirements compared to traditional materials.
Meanwhile, Dutch composite innovator NPSP (Delft) continues its work integrating bio-based materials in public infrastructure. In collaboration with Alliance member Procotex (Plouay, France) and material partner Nabasco, NPSP has delivered façades across Europe, including the vibrant green cladding of Amsterdam’s NEMO Science Museum, designed by Renzo Piano. Nabasco Natural panels offer both design freedom and high fire safety standards, paving the way for bio-based façades in modern urban design.
Recyclable molded composites company Demgy (Saint-Aubin-sur-Gaillon, France) has partnered with green roof experts Plantika (Vienna, Austria) to introduce Flaxcomp sandwich base panels for rooftop garden modules. Replacing aluminum with perforated flax composites, the solution enhances water drainage and aeration while reducing environmental impact. If successful, the trial may lead to full flax composite construction in future urban greening projects, marking a critical advance toward circular building solutions.
“These projects reflect the growing ambition of our industry to deliver carbon-smart, beautiful and high-performing structures using natural European fibers,” says Bruno Pech, innovation project manager.
The Alliance for European Flax Linen & Hemp continues to support its members and partners in advancing bio-based innovation across architecture and civil engineering.
#composites #NaturalFibers #BioBased
> source
The Alliance for European Flax Linen and Hemp highlights several projects in which flax and hemp fibers are being used, emphasizing their increasing use as high-performance, low-impact construction methods.
The Alliance for European Flax-Linen & Hemp (Paris, France) highlights a growing wave of innovative architectural and civil engineering applications featuring flax and hemp fibers. As the global construction industry turns toward sustainable solutions, the organization is seeing flax and hemp emerging as high-performance, low-impact alternatives for a new generation of bio-based architecture.
For instance, flax is stepping beyond interior and insulation use to form key structural elements in buildings. At the forefront of this transformation is the University of Stuttgart’s (Germany) ITECH Research Pavilion 2024 program in Germany. Two lightweight structures have been created using filament-wound flax fibers, demonstrating the material’s strength and design flexibility.
The main pavilion, a semi-permanent structure, features 20 flax fiber roof beams, crafted from Terre de Lin’s (Saint-Pierre-le-Viger, France) 100 Tex rovings and industrially processed by HA-CO Carbon GmbH (Wallerstein, Germany). A second, smaller pavilion incorporates co-wound wood and Safilin’s (Sailly-sur-la-Lys, France) 200 Tex flax fibers in its columns and roof structure. Both projects highlight coreless robotic winding technologies and deliver striking examples of sustainable construction methods.
Flax is also proving its value in cladding and façade systems. French manufacturer Temca (Xertigny, France) recently completed 880 lightweight shading panels using Bcomp’s (Fribourg, Switzerland) ampliTex flax fiber material for the Cité Scolaire Internationale Jacques Chirac business school in Marseille. Designed by architects Rudy Ricciotti and Roland Carta for Bouygues Bâtiment Sud-Est, the system uses RTM-molded ampliTex combined with UV-resistant gelcoat and fire-rated resin, providing a nature-inspired, energy-efficient solution with reduced weight and hardware requirements compared to traditional materials.
Meanwhile, Dutch composite innovator NPSP (Delft) continues its work integrating bio-based materials in public infrastructure. In collaboration with Alliance member Procotex (Plouay, France) and material partner Nabasco, NPSP has delivered façades across Europe, including the vibrant green cladding of Amsterdam’s NEMO Science Museum, designed by Renzo Piano. Nabasco Natural panels offer both design freedom and high fire safety standards, paving the way for bio-based façades in modern urban design.
Recyclable molded composites company Demgy (Saint-Aubin-sur-Gaillon, France) has partnered with green roof experts Plantika (Vienna, Austria) to introduce Flaxcomp sandwich base panels for rooftop garden modules. Replacing aluminum with perforated flax composites, the solution enhances water drainage and aeration while reducing environmental impact. If successful, the trial may lead to full flax composite construction in future urban greening projects, marking a critical advance toward circular building solutions.
“These projects reflect the growing ambition of our industry to deliver carbon-smart, beautiful and high-performing structures using natural European fibers,” says Bruno Pech, innovation project manager.
The Alliance for European Flax Linen & Hemp continues to support its members and partners in advancing bio-based innovation across architecture and civil engineering.
#composites #NaturalFibers #BioBased
> source