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Top five CW news stories for Jan-April 2022

Read news covering recent acquisitions in the composites industry, Joby Aviation’s progress in UAM, the 2022 JEC Innovation Award finalists, repurposing wind blades and James Webb telescope updates.

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Photo Credit: Getty Images

Elkhart Composites acquired by Thor Industries

In December 2021, Thor Industries Inc. (Elkhart, Ind., U.S.), a U.S. manufacturer of recreational vehicles (RVs) acquired Elkhart Composites Inc. (Elkhart) through Thor’s subsidiary, Airxcel Inc. (Wichita, Kan., U.S.). Elkhart Composites is engaged in the development and sale of a proprietary sustainable foamed polypropylene-based composite material marketed and sold under the “Elkboard” brand name. Lightweight, rigid, durable and sustainable, Elkboard is used in the RV industry for sidewalls, in lieu of traditional lauan-based sidewalls, alleviating susceptibility of rot or delamination.

 

JEC World reveals 2022 Innovation Awards finalists 

JEC World 2022, the world’s leading international composites trade show rescheduled for May 3-5, 2022 in Paris, France, has announced the official lineup of finalists for its Innovation Awards. The awards ceremony will be held April 26, 2022 in Paris — a week before JEC World — and will also be streamed live.

After pre-selection of the finalists, one winner is selected from each of 10 categories: Aerospace – Application; Aerospace – Process; Automotive & Road Transportation – Surface; Automotive & Road Transportation – Structural; Building & Civil Engineering; Design, Furniture & Home; Equipment & Machinery; Maritime Transportation & Shipbuilding; Sports, Leisure & Recreation; and Renewable Energy. 

HX50 helicopter fuselage developed by finalist Composite Integration with partner Hill Helicopters. Photo Credit: JEC

 

James Webb Space Telescope reaches major milestone as primary mirror unfolds

This artist’s conception of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) in space shows all its major elements fully deployed. The telescope was folded to fit into its launch vehicle, and then was slowly unfolded over the course of two weeks after launch. Photo Credit: NASA GSFC/CIL/Adriana Manrique Gutierrez

As of Jan. 8, 2022, NASA’s (Washington D.C., U.S.) James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) team fully deployed its 21-foot, gold-coated primary mirror, successfully completing the final stage of all major spacecraft deployments (including the 70-foot sunshield) since its Dec. 25 launch, to prepare for science operations. The telescope makes ample use of composite materials.

A joint effort with the European Space Agency (ESA) and Canadian Space Agency (CSA), the Webb mission will explore every phase of cosmic history, from within our solar system to the most distant observable galaxies in the early universe.


For more news, visit CW’s “News” section on the homepage or subscribe to the weekly CW Today e-newsletter.

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