JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #80 - April 2013 - 17

Fig. 3: 2011 estimated production in Singapore of Thermoset (TS)
& Thermoplastic (TP) compounds & prepregs Total 31 Kt ( >80% exported)

ted polyester resin (UPR)
producer, Singapore Highpolymer Chemical Products Pte
Ltd., located on Jurong with a
capacity of some 30 Kt/year.
There are several producers of
thermoplastics that are later
compounded with glass or
carbon fibre, namely polyamide produced by Dupont on
Jurong island, polycarbonate
produced by Teijin, also on
Jurong Island, with a 220Kt
capacity, and several polypropylene producers including
The Polyolefin Company (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. (“TPC”),
a consolidated subsidiary of
Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.,
with a 650Kt capacity of PP on
Jurong. There are also several
importers of typical composites processing equipment
such as, for example, filament
winding machines and resin
transfer moulding (RTM)
machines.

Manufacture and trade
of intermediate products
The composites supply chain
is a reflection of the country’s
overall economy with significant imports of raw materials
and significant exports of
either intermediate products
(prepregs and compounds)

or finished composite parts.
Figure 3 presents an overview
of the Singapore intermediate
products manufacture.
The figure shows that, in
terms of resin matrix type, it
is estimated that only 10% of
the volume of compounds and
prepregs produced in Singapore in 2011 was based on
thermoset resins. This would
include mainly glass-and
carbon-fibre-based prepregs
as well as small quantities of
Bulk Moulding Compounds
(BMC). There is a significant production of carbonfibre-based thermoplastic
compounds, mainly with
polycarbonate, making up an
estimated 32% of the volume,
while glass-fibre-based thermoplastic compounds make
up an estimated 58% of the
volume in 2011.

Fig. 4: 2011 estimated production in Singapore of TS & TP - Finished Composite
Parts Total : 32 Kt ( > 70% exported)

posite parts produced in the
country is based on thermoset
production, the large majority
being based on polyester and
using open mould techniques
or RTM. This volume would
also include a small share of
carbon- and glass-based prepregs, based mainly on epoxy.
The relatively low volume of
thermoplastic-based parts
produced in Singapore, mainly
by injection moulding for
the electrical and electronics
industries, implies that the
large volume of thermoplastic
compounds produced locally
is for the most part exported,
probably to China.

A growing hub for
composites innovation

As indicated at the start of
the article, the government
has made it a priority to turn
Singapore into a centre for
technology and innovation.
Composite part moulding This is indeed taking place in
In contrast to intermediate
the world of composites as leaproducts manufacture,
ding companies such as Vestas,
thermoset matrices dominate
Gamesa, DNV, Dyneema and
within the manufacturing of
Hexcel have recently either
composite parts in Singapore. established technology centres
Figure 4 gives an overview of
or engaged in joint developthe breakdown by resin mament activities in the country.
trix, showing that an estimated The leading Singapore com91% of the volume of company, ST, is funding research
No80 April 2013 /

into the use of natural fibres
in composites and the aircraft
manufacturer ATR, who have
250 small aircraft flying in the
region, have set up their Asian
training and MRO headquarters in Singapore.

Plenty of scope for future
growth of composites
In conclusion, Singapore’s
vibrant economy with its
strong manufacturing sector
provides a solid base for the
continued development of its
composites industry. Growing
composites usage in aircraft,
construction, infrastructure,
wind energy and offshore
applications will provide good
growth prospects particularly when coupled with the
country’s focus on technology
and innovation.
This article is based on a paper,
with some data updated,
presented by the author at JEC
Asia in June 2012. The paper
contains more details of the
companies active in the Singapore composites market. n
More information:
am@connectra.biz
www.connectra.biz

jec composites magazine 17

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JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #80 - April 2013

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