New Carbon Fabric Can Save Airlines Millions in Fuel Cost

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Apr 08, 2013, 09:30 ET

BORÅS, Sweden, April 8, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

A unique carbon fabric from Sweden, TeXtreme^®, could substantially reduce weight of existing aircraft and thereby enable significant savings in fuel costs for the airlines while contributing to a greener world.

To view the Multimedia News Release, please click:

http://www.multivu.com/mnr/60636-teXtreme-carbon-fabric-airline-savings

A conservative replacement of current traditional materials with TeXtreme^® carbon fiber fabrics, for example-in composite panels in aircraft, could lower the weight of aircraft to the extent that potential fuel cost savings could be in excess of €43,000,000 per annum for 20 major airlines.

The reduction of CO₂ emissions, resulting from weight savings of this magnitude, is enormous - equaling about 1,000,000 laps around the world counted in flight miles.

TeXtreme^® is a novel carbon fabric produced by using spread tows instead of using yarns as has been conventionally done in textile reinforcements for thousands of years. Unlike the conventional textile reinforcements, TeXtreme® enables weight savings which no other type of composite reinforcement can match, let alone metals.

Andreas Martsman, Vice President - Marketing & Sales of Oxeon, says: "This is a case where an investment from airlines in TeXtreme^® would actually make them save money and not least save the environment. If all the airlines and their manufacturers would do this, the potential fuel savings and effect on CO₂ emission is enormous. To save millions in fuel costs and at the same time contribute to a greener and more sustainable world should be in everyone's interest."

Carbon fiber and other composite reinforcements are already being used in the aerospace industry and a wide range of other markets where a need to reduce component weight is required. A composite is a combination of materials, for example textile reinforcement embedded in plastics. Carbon fiber is one of the best reinforcements available for producing lightweight products with good mechanical properties on stiffness and strength available.

Looking forward, if all airlines worldwide could capture the potential in weight savings through use of TeXtreme^® they could save enormous sums of money that could lead to better profits and/or allow enhanced service levels, availability and prices for travelers globally.

TeXtreme^® Spread Tow carbon reinforcements are used in Formula 1, America's Cup, advanced aerospace applications and various sporting goods products such as bicycles, etc.

About TeXtreme^®
TeXtreme^® Spread Tow reinforcements is the ultimate choice for making ultra light composites. TeXtreme^® Technology is flexible and tow-size independent which enables development of optimized reinforcement solutions tailor-made for specific application needs. Utilization of TeXtreme^® Spread Tow carbon fabrics and carbon UD tapes by manufacturers of advanced aerospace, industrial and sports products confirms that 20-30% lighter composite parts can be produced with improved mechanical properties and superior surface smoothness.

TeXtreme^® is a registered trademark owned by Oxeon AB. Founded in 2003, Oxeon has quickly established itself as the market leader in Spread Tow reinforcements with its products marketed under the brand name TeXtreme^®.

For press statements, please contact:

Andreas Martsman
Vice President - Marketing & Sales
Oxeon AB
Tel: +46-33-340-18-01
E-mail: [email protected]

For other press inquiries, please contact:

Christian Borg
Communication & Brand Director
Oxeon AB
Tel: +46-33-340-18-13
E-mail: [email protected]