TenCate opens its European Centre of Excellence for thermoset composite materials

TenCate Advanced Composites (Morgan Hill, CA, US) recently celebrated the inaugural opening of its extended facility at Langley Mill (Nottingham), UK, the European Centre of Excellence for thermoset prepreg systems.

The opening follows a period of significant investment for the UK operation of TenCate Advanced Composites, which has seen growth in its TenCate AmberTool tooling prepreg systems and strong positions in the automotive, Formula 1 and motorsport markets. The capabilities and capacity have been further enhanced by the award of the AS9100 certificate for its standardized quality management system for the aerospace and automotive industry.

The technology levels of the Langley Mill plant of TenCate Advanced Composites mirror those of the sister facility in Morgan Hill (California, US) in the production of market leading composite materials for aerospace, space & satellite and communications markets. This proven technology complements the existing portfolio of products offered from the UK, and will serve both new and existing markets within the EMEA region for industrial and aerospace applications. Together with a doubling of capacity, the extended facility in the United Kingdom now houses a carbon-free manufacturing line, which is dedicated to the manufacture of electrically pure materials.

Frank Meurs, group director of TenCate Advanced Composites states: "The opening of our extended factory in the UK is a significant milestone in the growth of TenCate Advanced Composites. Our commitment to serve the European markets with outstanding customer service and certified quality is now further enhanced with high tech, high spec materials and solutions.”

Nick Tiffin, director of sales and marketing of TenCate Advanced Composites adds: "Today signifies the next chapter in our penetration into the European aerospace market with thermoset technologies. The combination of our facilities in the UK and North America position TenCate to be a partner of choice for thermoset composite materials. Furthermore, our market leading thermoplastic capabilities enable us to provide total composite material solutions to our customers on a global scale. Combined with excellent customer service, our high spec products have enabled us to gain qualified positions at leading OEMS and their tiers."