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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.

EU project will develop bio-based, repairable and recyclable vitrimer composites and advanced sensors for highly reliable, sustainable wind blades. 

Avangrid recently donated 300 pounds of decommissioned wind turbine blades to test startup solution that recovers more than 90% of turbine blade material.

Belzona highlights the use of Belzona 5711 and 5721 to extend the lifespan of 42 wind turbine blades in Denmark facing severe erosion.

Bidding process win builds on existing multi-year contract with the global wind turbine company for the supply of spar cap components. 

Six U.S. companies have proven their recycling technologies for composites and rare earth elements, and will be supported for relevant scale demonstration and validation.

Several new sources say that Siemens has told customers its largest wind turbine yet may be introduced by the end of the decade.

Production commencement on Iowa line is intended to recover and divert 30,000 tons of scrapped materials from wind blades each year.

Demonstration and findings validate PECAN as a method for developing long blades that perform well with composites, outperform some resins and enable chemical recycling.

Madrid-based international company is focused on the joint procurement process for offshore wind in Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

FLOWIN cash prize and technical assistance will enable Principle Power and Aker Solutions to explore ways to serialize fabrication, deploy its offshore wind platform for the U.S.