Belgian specialty chemicals supplier Solvay SE and United Arab Emirates-based Strata Manufacturing PJSC, a composite aerostructures manufacturing facility, have set up a joint venture (JV) to build a production facility in Al Ain,UAE to supply advanced composite materials to aerospace industry.
The 50-50 venture will be the UAE's first supplier of pre-impregnated carbon fiber, also referred to as prepreg.
The durable advanced material is used to manufacture composite structures for aviation applications, including Boeing's latest generation aircraft, the 777X.
The 8,500-square-meter facility will supply Boeing with carbon fiber prepreg for primary structure applications in its new 777X program.
Solvay's prepreg technology consists of fiber reinforcements impregnated with a resin matrix to manufacture composite parts. This provides higher performance at lower weight compared to metal structures.
The partnership marks Solvay's entry into advanced materials manufacturing in the UAE, and Mubadala's entry into advanced materials manufacturing for the aerospace industry through its wholly owned business, Strata Manufacturing.
"This agreement with Solvay fits perfectly with our growth strategy, focusing as it does on high-tech manufacturing capabilities, and demonstrates our commitment to providing competitive offerings to the world's leading OEMs," said Khaled Abdulla Al Qubaisi, chief executive officer, aerospace, renewables and ICT, Mubadala.
"This joint venture showcases Solvay's capabilities in advanced aerospace composite technologies, including for aircraft primary structures as a growth pillar for our materials business," said Jean-Pierre Clamadieu, CEO of Solvay.