JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #66 - July/August 2011 - 4

point of view: products for thermoplastic reinforcement

interview
ENNO HENZE, VICE PRESIDENT & GENERAL MANAGER, ENGINEERED PRODUCTS EUROPE/ASIA (EPEA)

jec composites magazine / No66 July – August 2011
Engineered Products division in Europe?

Slovakia, continues to provide its expertise in single- and multi-end rovings as well as dry- and wetuse chopped strands serving JEC Composites Magazine: JM different markets, such as entered the European composite automotive, building and sector in 2001. What is the construction, consumer goods, materials strategy of the transportation and wind energy.

ENNO HENZE : We focus on two important product platforms, roll goods in the form of glass and polyester nonwovens for use in the building and construction industry, such as in bituminous roofing membranes, flooring or mineral and foam insulation facing. Another strategic segment is the rapidly growing market of air and liquid filtration media. In addition to these established applications, we are launching completely new product concepts to conquer, for instance, markets in engineered wood applications (using veil to reduce expensive wood content). Secondly, our glass fibre operation based in Trnava,

JCM: According to you, which composite materials will successfully compete as metal substitutes?

Johns Manville (JM) is strengthening its presence in the automotive business and strongly believes in the future growth opportunities associated with composites. The company, whose products cover practically the entire spectrum of engineered reinforced thermoplastics, develops its new products through investments in innovation and technologies, such as ThermoFlow® chopped strands. JM also has a strong history in SMC, which continues to be well positioned against metal and aluminium options.

Johns Manville invests in engineered glass fibres

JCM: How do you see the future of supply chain innovation within your markets?

E.H. : There is no simple answer to that question as most composite materials have specific advantages versus aluminium and steel depending on the area of use. SMC (sheet moulding compound) is a very cost-effective thermoset material that provides excellent results in terms of structural performance and durability in the truck and mass transportation segment, the electrical field and in some new photovoltaic installations (integration of composites and electric cabinets). Engineered thermoplastics have also proven to be economical for large-series production and remain in an

We strongly believe that JM has to participate in the development of new processes ideal position to boost the growth of composites while supporting fuel efficiency requirements in the automotive sector. The key success factor for the substitution of metals through GFRP is the design of material-specific applications. There has been great progress in this area in the recent past; however we have to realize that we still leave much potential for material efficiency on the table.

E.H. : In the long term, we’ll not only focus our technologies on developing innovative materials but also on researching new technologies for our downstream production process. We strongly believe that JM has to participate in the development of new processes that will further strengthen the European composite industry by eliminating processing steps in order to reduce costs. The future growth of European composites relies on further process innovation and continuing reductions in supply chain and production costs through further implementation of direct processes such as D-LFT and LFI-PUR. While we internally study our plant productivity, we also look for downstream advancements in processing technology that will foster longterm growth within the European economy.

JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #66 - July/August 2011

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #66 - July/August 2011