Solvay (www.solvay.com) and GKN Aerospace’s Fokker (www.fokker.com) business have teamed up to promote the use of thermoplastic composite materials on aircraft, with Solvay becoming a preferred supplier of these lightweight materials to Fokker.

Under the agreement, the two businesses will combine their expertise to advance technological developments in thermoplastic composite materials, as well as improve processes and cost-competitiveness.

Carmelo Lo Faro, president of Solvay’s composite-materials global business unit, said: “Solvay’s partnership with GKN’s Fokker business is an important step in our goal to become the leading supplier of thermoplastic composite materials to the aerospace, oil and gas and automotive industries.

“A deeper understanding of the market’s needs and challenges in adopting these new materials, together with Fokker’s expertise in design and manufacturing, will enable us to develop technologies to industrialise the manufacture of thermoplastic composites and parts.”

Thermoplastic composites can reduce the weight of aircraft components by up to 25%, when compared to traditional metallic solutions. This helps to reduce emissions, boost aircraft performance and enhance the efficiency of component production.