15th Jul 2008 07:00
15 July 2008
UMECO plc
ADVANCED COMPOSITES GROUP ACHIEVES AIRBUS QUALIFICATION FOR OUT-OF-AUTOCLAVE MATERIAL
Umeco plc ("Umeco"), an international provider of supply chain and advanced composite materials primarily to the aerospace & defence industries, announces that Advanced Composites Group ("ACG"), part of Umeco Composites, has received Airbus qualification for its first out-of-autoclave (OOA) pre-impregnated advanced composite material for structural applications, ACG's MTM®44-1.
OOA moulding of MTM®44-1, which is directly comparable to in-autoclave products on the market, can offer immediate benefits to manufacturers, like Airbus, such as lower capital equipment outlay, as well as savings on certain associated processing costs. In the longer term, it is understood that this technology will also facilitate the manufacture of larger and more integrated structures, that might otherwise be constrained by the dimensions and significant investments required for traditional in-autoclave processing, allowing greater use of composite materials in ever larger structures such as airframes and wind turbine blades.
MTM®44-1 is just one of ACG's next generation OOA processing structural systems. Three other systems, MTM®45-1, MTM®46 and MVR444, are currently in use or under qualification for a variety of civil and military applications.
Clive Snowdon, Chief Executive, Umeco plc, said: "We are extremely proud to receive these qualifications from Airbus for our ground breaking Out-Of-Autoclave advanced composite materials. This new technology allows larger structures to be constructed for aerospace, automotive and wind applications. The strength to weight ratios mean that, in the longer term, these materials could have environmental benefits for transport through greater fuel efficiency. This qualification by Airbus demonstrates ACG's leading position in composites technology."
- Ends -
Umeco plc (www.umeco.com) Tel: +44 (0) 1926 331 800
Clive Snowdon, Chief Executive
Hogarth Partnership Tel: +44 (0) 20 7357 9477
Barnaby Fry / Vicky Watkins
Further Information on Umeco plc
Umeco is a leading innovator in distribution and supply chain management to the aerospace and defence industries, harnessing new methods for enhancing its customers' performance and profitability.
Umeco also has significant manufacturing interests in advanced composite materials for a growing range of applications in its core aerospace and defence markets and in other high performance technology industries such as motor sport, automotive and wind energy.
Listed on the London Stock Exchange, Umeco had revenue from continuing operations of £335.2 million in the year to 31 March 2008.
Umeco is managed through two business streams:-
Umeco Composites - a provider of a complete range of advanced composite materials principally to the aerospace, motor sport, automotive and wind energy markets.
Customers include Boeing, Airbus, BAE Systems, manufacturers of wind turbines, a number of manufacturers of high performance super cars and Formula 1 teams including Team McLaren Mercedes.
Umeco Supply Chain - a leading international provider of value-added distribution and supply chain outsourcing services to customers in the aerospace & defence market. With its specialisation in the supply of small and medium value components and sophisticated IT systems, its growing global customer base can enjoy significant operational, cost and working capital benefits.
Customers include Rolls-Royce plc, BAE Systems, Safran Group, Parker Aerospace, Goodrich, Thales Aerospace, Turbomeca, Lockheed Martin and the US Department of Defense.
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