Hexcel buys OPM aerospace business

Hexcel Corporation has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the Aerospace & Defense (A&D) business of Oxford Performance Materials (OPM). OPM A&D produces qualified, high-performance thermoplastic, carbon fiber reinforced 3D printed parts for Commercial Aerospace and Space and Defense applications. The acquisition is subject to customary conditions and is expected to close later this month. The asset acquisition will include equipment, intellectual property and manufacturing process technology related to the A&D business operations in South Windsor, Connecticut. Other businesses of OPM are not included in the acquisition.

 

Hexcel Chairman, CEO and President Nick Stanage said, “We are excited to add this next-generation technology to our portfolio. In combination with our unique carbon fiber capability, PEKK can provide a range of new technology solutions to our aerospace and defense customers in printed parts as well as assembled structures and broader design solutions.”

 

OPM was awarded a contract from Boeing to supply 3D-printed structural production parts for the CST-100 Starliner among numerous other customer-focused development programs. Hexcel’s acquisition will enable more rapid operational scaling and development of this emerging technology to meet growing market demand for carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastic additive technology in aerospace and defense.