Hello everyone,
The spate of pro-U.S.comments that I received on my last post left me flummoxed. Some readers wondered whether I had gone bonkers in daring to project a larger-than-life image of Chinese supremacy two decades down the line. A Forbes magazine column mentions noted economist Robert Fogel’s prediction that by 2050, China’s economy will account for 40% of the world’s GDP with the U.S.’s share shrinking to a measly 14%. An interesting counter-argument in the same column had the following statement in defense of perennial U.S. supremacy….” If Water is the new oil,China faces a thirsty future, as China’s freshwater reserves(apart from being dangerously polluted) are about one-fifth per capita those of the U.S.(which is more cleaner)”. I am no economist, however, the fact remains that the U.S. quickly needs to return to its glorious past and be in the forefront on innovation and encourage investments, if it is to maintain its economic supremacy.
There is a flurry of activity this week on the composites front with many concurrent Trade Shows-Composites Europe in Essen, Germany; China Expo in Beijing and IFAT show in Munich on “Innovations in Water and Sewage Treatment” (with focus on GRP pipes). These will be followed by the JEC, Asia show in Singapore next month. With a surfeit of Trade Shows not only overlapping but close on the heels of one another, one hopes that it does not result in overkill. Such shows are not only welcome but also a necessity. Perhaps, if the composites fraternity of each country discusses issues on timing and periodicity on a global basis; it would enable professionals to pencil more dates in their diaries, draw more crowds at the respective shows and, thereby generate greater volume of business during the visits.
The winds of change seem to be blowing again, metaphorically, after a lull in 2009. It is heartening to note that more glass fiber producers are obtaining approval of their reinforcements for use in wind turbine blades…with Camelyaf being the most recent (and Jushi not so long ago). This augurs well for the industry and speaks volumes of the technological progress made by producers in upgrading their quality to meet demanding performance requirements. So much for the monopoly enjoyed by the majors till date! The industry needs healthy competition to enable technological innovations to materialize at a faster clip.
Check out the link: CF FEATURE (FRP TODAY)
The trend in growing use of bio-composites was once again fortified last week with a leading U.S. thermoplastics compounder launching a new line of products based on wood and flax fiber as an alternative to mineral or glass reinforced polypropylene with potential applications in automotive and consumer markets. Earlier this month, Canada’s first bio-composite bodied electric car (Kestrel) was launched. It uses hemp mats as the reinforcement. The significant feature is the progress being made on all fronts – be it in resins, fibers (glass, carbon, natural based) or processing techniques. Recent announcements relating to the setting up of a National Composites Center (NCC) in Bristol, U.K. (to be operational from 2012) and the commencement of a multi-million dollar International Composites Research Program based in Australia bode well for the future growth of the industry.
With light weight metals such as titanium and magnesium (not to mention the omnipresent aluminum!) continuing to rival composites; the extensive (and increasing) use of CFRP and GFRP in the the new versions of Airbus and Boeing airplanes and latest models of cars/CRVs/trucks, bears ample testimony to the tremendous strides made by fiber/resin producers and composites processors alike in continuing to successfully ward off competition from their metal counterparts.
Which brings us to the title of this post…..the composites industry has adapted itself wonderfully well in swimming to safety against the onslaught from traditional metallic rivals and not allowing itself to sink! The industry is on safe ground for the next two decades with assured progress through innovative technologies equally on composites based on exotic fibers and bio-composites based on natural fibers and resins from renewable sources.
That the logic of Keynesian economics used by developed nations for the stimulus funding (for propping up the economy) is now being questioned is proof enough that the old order does not always work and that it is time to adopt innovative bold measures to stay afloat. The aphorism that there are no atheists in foxholes appears to be gaining credence….not surprisingly though!
Is water the next oil and ethanol the next gasoline? Brazil, for sure, is listening to the latter!
Till the next post,
Cheers,
S Sundaram
Email: SS@essjaycomposites.com
Twitter: @essjaycomposite
Sundaram
ESSJAY Composites 