Celanese extends contract to develop composites solutions

Celanese Corporation signed a two-year contract extension with the Aachen Center for Integrative Lightweight Production (AZL) in Aachen, Germany, to jointly develop thermoplastic composite solutions for automotive, construction, and oil and gas applications. 

RWTH Aachen University officially launched the AZL in 2013 with 33 founding members to focus on developing lightweight components. The research covers production from carbon- and glass-fibres, textile preforming, high-volume plastics processing, automation, machining and testing to applications ranging from oil, water, gas, infrastructure, buildings and automotive. 

As a founding AZL member, Celanese has focused on projects to reduce manufacturing costs and increase productivity for thermoplastic composite parts. One Celanese and AZL study has identified applications, components, distribution channels, production volumes, economic potential, and requirements for materials and process chains, across five major business sectors.