JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #80 - April 2013 - 5

JCM: In the composite sector, TenCate focuses on space, aerospace,
industrial (including automotive)
and advanced armour applications. Do you think you could gain
a foothold in other sectors?

Ir L. de Vries : Yes indeed,

TenCate intends to do so. Two
markets really stand out: the application of thermoplastic composites in the offshore industry
for deeper efficient extraction of
fuels, because steel oil pipes can
only reach down to a depth of
around 3,000 meters. The further
you go below this level, the more
the weight prevents the use of
steel. Composite materials can
offer an alternative solution due
to their relatively low weight. But
there are also other functionalities that provide a sustainable
alternative to steel.
The same applies to the construction of large steel structures,
such as bridges. This market also
urgently needs new, lighter and
low-maintenance materials and
solutions.

JCM: Could you please explain
your strategy in the automotive
market?

Ir L. de Vries : The key
objective of TenCate concerns
the right alignment of materials
to production processes, in
order to develop and produce
functional parts and components. By focusing on specific
cooperation with automotive
partners within the value chain,
we can share our knowledge and
experience in the application
of thermoplastic composites in
automobiles, and at the same
time provide other parties in the
value chain with weight-saving
solutions. Some of these links in
the value chain are now covered,
for example through our recent
cooperation with BASF, and our
partnerships within eTAC, the
European Automotive Thermoplastic Composites consortium.
Together with these partners,
TenCate is now working on the
further introduction of concrete
solutions for automotive manu-

Car seat using TenCate thermoplastic composite in the back part

facturers.
In doing so, we make use of
knowledge that is already available in other consortia, such as
within TPRC, the ThermoPlastic
composite Research Centre in
the Netherlands. This helps TenCate to further develop the value
chain, particularly with respect to
thermoplastic composites.
JCM: How will you secure your

carbon fibre supply in this sector?
We know you already have a
supply agreement with Toray in
aerospace, but as their production
of large tow is very low for the
moment, might you need to find
alternative suppliers?

Ir L. de Vries : Our raw
materials supply is well secured,
and Toray is indeed one of our
suppliers. For automotive applications, we use Toray, but have
found other suppliers as well. I
cannot state which suppliers.
JCM: What are your R&D approach
and strategy for living up to your
motto «Materials that make a
difference»?

Ir L. de Vries: TenCate
focuses on high-end solutions to
protect people in their working
and living environment. To this
end, we focus on value chain
management and strive to work
with specific partners and institutes in the value chain. Our goal
is to develop applications for our
advanced materials. No doubt
that in the automotive industry
TenCate will also “make a difference” by finding lightweight,
safe, fuel-saving and cost-effective solutions. n
More information:
www.tencate.com

Formed thermoplastic composite part

No80 April 2013 /

jec composites magazine 5

http://www.tencate.com

JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #80 - April 2013

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #80 - April 2013