TPi October 2009

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Mater ialsTube and pipe
50 Tube Products International October 2009
OFFICIALS from Boeing, Royal Ten
Cate, Stork Fokker and the University
of Twente have signed an agreement to
establish the Thermoplastic Composites
Research Centre (TPRC) at the University
of Twente in The Netherlands.
Reasons for pursuing research into
thermoplastic composites technologies
are that they can offer cost-efficient
fabrication and assembly processes
and have environmental advantages.
Thermoplastics are said to be more
ductile (impact resistant), and thermo-
plastic composites are potentially more
sustainable than thermoset compo-
sites. These properties can result
in shorter cycle times and more
environmentally friendly processing
methods.
METALS UK, an international specialist
metal service centre, has been honoured
with the Queen’s Award for Enterprise
2009, for outstanding achievement in
international trade.
The Queen’s Award for Enterprise is the
highest honour that can be bestowed
upon a British company and is the UK’s
top award for business performance.
Over the past three years Metals UK’s
export earnings have increased by
412%, as the company has strengthened
its position in international markets,
currently supplying over 40 countries in
Europe, the Americas, the middle and
Far East, India and Australia.
“We are delighted to receive our first
Queen’s Award,” commented Robert
Metal service centre receives
Queen’s Award for Enterprise
Metals UK staff were joined at the presentation ceremony by Ed Murphy of the Lancashire S S
Chamber Of Commerce (back row, centre) and the Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire (front left)
Whitehouse,MetalsUKgeneralmanager,
“Four years ago our business was purely
domestic, while today business from
international clients has risen to 50%.
“The markets we compete in are very
aggressive and it is difficult to truly
differentiate our offering from that of
our competitors. We take pride in our
vigilance in determining the end use
and end destination of all our metal we
export. Winning this award in the current
economic climate is a testament to the
hard work and dedication of our team
and makes me extremely proud to be
part of the business.”
Mr Whitehouse and Ian Griffiths
(company CEO) attended the formal
ceremony at Buckingham Palace on
6 July, where her Majesty the Queen
presented the award.
Metals UK supplies a wide range of
duplex, super duplex, nickel alloys and
stainless steel to the offshore, oil and
gas, chemical, nuclear and aerospace
industries. The company also offers full
cutting and added value processing
capabilities in house, including laser,
water-jet, plasma and hi-definition
plasma.
Metals UK Ltd – UK
As a result, thermoplastic materials are
expected to have a major impact on the
development of sustainable and cost-
effective methods of production.
The concept of the consortium is to
collaborate with different parties within
the supply chain on thermoplastic
composites.
The research centre will focus on
development of thermoplasticcomposite
technologies for a broad range of end-
use markets including wind energy,
oil and gas, aerospace, automotive,
medical, machinery, infrastructure,
sports and marine.
The centre will enable researchers and
developers from all parties to work
closely together on open innovations,
Boeing have worked with Royal Ten Cate, S S
Stork Fokker and Twente University
New thermoplastic composites
research centre established
and will also allow the sharing of
research equipment.
New additional members to the TPRC
consortium will be encouraged to
join in the coming years, including
organisations that will represent a wide
range of market sectors.
Thermoplastic Composites Research
Centre – The Netherlands
Photo credit: Sue Byford