AkzoNobel Wins JEC 2015 Innovation Award

AkzoNobel's Polymer Chemistry business, Amersfoort, The Netherlands, has received the 2015 JEC Innovation Award for its patented cure system for bio fiber reinforced composites in the competition’s Resins category.

The company will receive its award during the JEC Europe Composites Show in Paris, March 10-12, 2015.

AkzoNobel received the JEC Innovation Award based on the development of its new technology that removes barriers and allows for the adoption of sustainable bio fibers to be used by composite producers.

Application of bio fibers in unsaturated polyester (UP) composites requires drying of hygroscopic fibers. After drying, immediate processing is required to prevent moisture take-up, which can make the application of bio fibers complicated and cumbersome. AkzoNobel’s innovative new curing system removes this barrier and enables a good cure of UP composites based on humid and even wet bio fibers without influencing the mechanical properties of the composite. This means that producers, in many cases, can simply replace their glass reinforcement with the right bio fiber reinforcements and produce their part as they are used to now.

“We are convinced that this innovation can have a significant influence on the adaptation of bio fibers in the unsaturated polyester composite industry,” said Markus Majoor, global market segment leader for AkzoNobel’s Thermoset business.