Renewable energy, wind mill parts in particular, besides aerospace and defence are segments that will drive use of fibre reinforced plastics (FRP) in the years ahead. An exhibition of the products will begin in Hyderabad on January 29.
These would be in addition to the road and rail transportation vehicles where FRP or composites usage in the country is expected to only grow.
“From buildings to aircraft, they are used across areas and products,” Executive Secretary of FRP Institute A. Selvam says, explaining that composites usually are glass or carbon fibre reinforced with plastics. Natural fibres such as jute, coir, bamboo are also used. Indian Railways for one uses composites for modular toilets and window frames in the coaches, while automobile companies use such materials in a big way.
Since it is a wood substitute in buildings, furniture, cooling towers and doors, use of FRP can help save trees.
Apart from the inherent qualities such as durability and their requiring little maintenance, the tumbling crude oil prices are set to fuel the preference of FRP, he says. In an interaction, Mr. Selvam and Fibreglass Industries Association of Andhra Pradesh (FIAAP) president K.Narayana Reddy said that wind energy – turbine blades and nacelle cover are made of composites – in view of the Government’s thrust on renewable energy as also focus on growth in aerospace and defence sector will push up growth of FRP.
It is in this backdrop a three-day international conference and exhibition of reinforced plastics (ICERP 2015) opens in the city on January 29. A programme of the Institute in association with FIAAP, it will bring composites raw material and product manufacturers, machinery manufacturers as well as suppliers, all under one roof, at Hitex Exhibition Centre here. Entry to the exhibition, in which over 100 companies, including several multinational firms, are participating, will be free.
