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High-pressure gas storage vessels represent one of the largest and fastest-growing markets for advanced composites, particularly for filament-wound carbon fiber composites. Although they are used in self-contained breathing apparatuses and provide oxygen and gas storage on aerospace vehicles, the primary end markets are for storage of liquid propane gas (LPG), compressed natural gas (CNG), renewable natural gas (RNG) and hydrogen gas (H₂).

Filament winding is a specialized technique used in composite manufacturing, involving the precise and automated winding of continuous fibers onto a rotating mandrel or mold. This method allows for the creation of strong and seamless structures, optimizing the alignment and orientation of the fibers to meet specific design requirements. Filament winding is employed in producing cylindrical or conical composite parts, such as pipes, pressure vessels, and aerospace components, enabling engineers to tailor the strength, stiffness, and performance characteristics of the final product.

Processes in composites manufacturing encompass a diverse array of techniques employed to fabricate composite materials. These processes include methods like hand layup, where layers of resin and reinforcement materials are manually placed, and vacuum infusion, where a vacuum draws resin into a preform. Other techniques like compression molding, filament winding, and automated methods such as 3D printing are utilized to create intricate and specialized composite structures. Each process offers unique advantages in terms of precision, scalability, and efficiency, catering to diverse industry needs. As technology advances, newer methods are emerging, promising faster production cycles, reduced waste, and increased customization, driving the evolution of composite manufacturing towards more sophisticated and versatile methodologies.

The wind energy market has long been considered the world’s largest market, by volume, for glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) composites — and increasingly, carbon fiber composites — as larger turbines and longer wind blades are developed, requiring higher performance, lighter weight materials. The outer skins of wind and tidal turbine blades generally comprise infused, GFRP laminates sandwiching foam core. Inside the blade, rib-like shear webs bonded to spar caps reinforce the structure. Spar caps are often made from GFRP or, as blade lengths lengthen, pultruded carbon fiber for additional strength.

Launched SusWIND program aims to establish a viable circular supply chain to tackle the main challenges of legacy and future composite blades in the U.K.

Though the forecasted new offshore wind capacity is seven times larger than the current market size, it’s only 2% of what’s needed for zero-emission targets, GWEC says.

Full-rate production for GKN Aerospace should begin before next financial year, site will serve as hub for other launch customers as composites grow in wind energy, urban air mobility and electric vehicles.

Wind turbine blade architecture is so well established that it’s difficult to imagine there might be a better alternative. ACT Blade’s skeleton-based design is a step in that direction.

The facility, located in Teesside, U.K., will address the U.K.’s offshore wind market needs and facilitate production of 107-meter-long blades beginning in 2023.

CompoTech’s Compolift technology leverages automated filament winding to provide high-strength, high-stiffness extendable masts for use on mobile surveillance vehicles, boats and more.

The transparent one-component epoxy adhesive and curing system is ideal for carbon fiber or glass fiber filament winding.

Dogger Bank Wind Farms plans to develop the largest offshore wind farm in the world, off the coast of the U.K.

Confirmed as the supplier for all three of the U.K. offshore wind farm’s phases, GE will begin installing its most powerful, 14-MW turbine variants in 2025.

The four independent wind farms are expected to meet the Canary Islands’ goals to develop 310 MW of offshore wind as set out in its 2015-2025 Strategic Energy Plan.