Mubadala in JV to produce prepreg composite materials

Roger Kearns, Member of the Executive Committee, Solvay; Kent Fisher, vice president and general manager Supplier Management, Boeing Commercial Airplanes, and Homaid Al Shimmari.

Belgium's leading chemical and advanced materials company Solvay and Mubadala have formed a joint venture to manufacture 'prepreg' composite light weight materials used to manufacture aircraft components.
Mubadala announced the establishment of a joint venture company that will become the first manufacturer in the UAE of 'prepreg' composite materials critical to the aerospace industry.
The joint venture has been awarded its first primary materials supply contract by Boeing, reinforcing Mubadala and Solvay's longstanding relationship with the world's largest aerospace company.
To be located in the center of Abu Dhabi's growing aerospace hub, the Nibras Al Ain Aerospace Park (Nibras), the joint venture will be established through Strata Manufacturing, Mubadala's advanced aerostructures manufacturing business.
The JV will supply Boeing with advanced prepreg materials to complete the empennage and floor beams of its new 777X program. The partners expect the JV to be operational by 2021.
Carbon fiber weaves consist of bonded composite materials used in aircraft builds that provide exceptional performance at a lower weight.
As part of the agreement, the newly established business will supply the primary structure prepreg composite content, delivered via a unique thermos heating process.
Next-generation aircraft use of these materials continues to grow as manufacturers of large commercial transport programmes, like Boeing with its 777X, seek to reduce the weight of an airliner, thus improving fuel efficiency and reducing CO2 emissions.
Homaid Al Shimmari, CEO of Aerospace and Engineering Services at Mubadala said: "Today's announcement with Solvay Group, fortifies Mubadala's status as a driver for creating an advanced manufacturing and aerospace cluster in the UAE."
The joint venture will create new job demand for highly skilled Emirati engineers, alongside existing talent that are currently employed by Strata. "This is a landmark announcement from Mubadala as we continue to build an aerospace ecosystem in the emirate of Abu Dhabi," the CEO said.
"Solvay's teaming up with Mubadala in this essential project in support of Boeing's growth plans showcases our capabilities in advanced aerospace composite technologies, including primary structure applications," said Jean-Pierre Clamadieu, CEO of Solvay. "We are proud to be part of the innovative 777X aircraft."
"After close collaboration with Mubadala and Solvay to expand the supply of aerospace composites, Boeing is pleased to be the first customer for their new joint venture in the UAE," said Ray Conner, president and chief executive officer, Boeing Commercial Airplanes.
"Our commitment to purchase this prepreg material for the 777X meets several important goals for Boeing, from further advancing aerospace industry development in the UAE to expanding high-quality materials in our supply chain."
Today's announcement follows the strategic partnership both companies established in 2013 to reinforce the development of prepreg manufacturing capabilities in Abu Dhabi.
Driven by global partnership ecosystems and international supply chains, Nibras Al Ain Aerospace Park is a multi-faceted development spanning 5 square kilometers that is supporting the establishment of a sustainable aerospace industry in Abu Dhabi.
In 2015, Mubadala announced that over 85 percent of the Nibras Phase 1 plan was complete, with over 60 percent of plots occupied, with Strata being one of its primary tenants.
 - haseeb@khaleejtimes.com