ATL Composites, M.u.H von der Linden mark a decade-long joint venture for composite panel solutions

Full-sized DuFLEX foam panels. Photo Credit, all images: ATL Composites

This year marks a decade of joint venture partnership between ATL Composites Australia (Molendinar) and M.u.H. von der Linden GmbH (Wesel, Germany), for the manufacture of ATL’s range of lightweight composite panel solutions — including DuFLEX, DuraKore and Featherlight — to top European boatbuilders, architects and other creative industries.

The joint venture company, vdL Composites GmbH (Wesel), has developed a reputation for precision manufacturing of quality products, expert technical support and top customer service, the companies note.

“Since we established our joint venture partnership, developments in improving the production process and products have been implemented by the respective partners in their own production, on both sides,” Inga von der Linden, director, says.

Highlights over the past decade include working with international boating brands, including Schionning (South Africa and Australia), Gunboat (Newport, R.I., U.S. and France), Outremer (France), Nautor Swan (Finland), Baltic Yachts (Finland), Judel Vrolijk Designs (Germant), Itacat (Italy), Twans (Netherlands), Lütje (Germany), Michael Schmidt Yachtbau (Germany) and Shiptec AG (Switzerland), as well as various superyachts, production boats, sea ferries and commercial craft, proponents in the construction industry and even manufacturers of camper vans.

“Over the years we have provided materials for eight Schionning Catamaran Building Kits: Arrow 1200, two Arrow 1360, Arrow 1500, Legend 60, GForce 1400, Growler 710 and Solitaire 1740,” Inga adds. “We have worked with Gunboat on their 68 and 72 models supplying deck panels and bulkheads, and we’re currently providing the Gunboat 80 with carbon [fiber] panels. There have been many interesting, unique projects, such as an 80-meter superyacht which we supplied deck panels and panels for outdoor furniture. She also cites architectural projects involving the Southpark Building in London, and another with building firm Detlef Urban.

DuFLEX panels used on a Gunboat craft.

Ahead for the partnership between ATL Composites Australia and M.u.H. von der Linden GmbH are many more years of innovation and product development, especially in the area of sustainability, Inga says.

“Panels with bio-resins and natural fibers such as flax or hemp and cores made from balsa or recycled PET, as well as panels that have a fire certification,” she lits. “There are so many novel and environmentall friendly solutions to building sustainable vessels, homes, commercial buildings and any other structure that requires ingenuity and light-weight composite materials.”

M.u.H. von der Linden will also continue promoting the DuFLEX panel system to existing and new customers all over our region. The company will be attend the 2022 Metstrade marine trade show in Amsterdam, Netherlands, just it has since 2012, and for many years prior.

“We had a vision of collaborating with the most discerning European clients, and it is undoubtedly due to the determination and hard work of our close friends at VDL that we have been able to build an enviable reputation in the market over the past 10 years,” ATL’s managing director, Nick Cossich, adds. “Their focus on precision manufacturing to the highest standards, but also the ability to intimately understand clients’ specialized needs, has been fundamental to this success.”