It seems as though fibre-reinforced composite materials with a thermoplastic matrix have piqued the interest of Bayer MaterialScience (BMS, Leverkusen / Germany; www.bayerbms.com). The company recently purchased Thermoplast Composite (TCG, Langenfeld / Germany; www.thermoplast-composite.com), a specialist in the production of unidirectional thermoplastic composites sold under the "MAXply" and "MONOply" brand names. The purchase price for the company, which employs 12 workers, was not disclosed.

Following the acquisition, BMS now plans to lift the company’s output at headquarters near Nuremberg and in a later stage build up additional lines in other regions. The exact locations remain unknown. The expansion plans are set against the backdrop of global polycarbonate oversupply and the related search for new applications for the engineering thermoplastic. Markus Steilemann, head of the group’s Polycarbonate business, said BMS sees significant demand and high growth prospects for composites based on thermoplastics. Promising applications include computer and laptop casings or as aluminium replacement in the automotive sector.

To date BMS has focused on PU systems as matrix materials, but is also working on making PC composites a reality. TCG will bring additional know-how in processing technology. The purchase means BMS is choosing to take a similar path as its former affiliate Lanxess (Cologne / Germany; www.lanxess.com), which last year acquired prepreg producer Bond-Laminates (Brilon / Germany; www.bond-laminates.de) – see Plasteurope.com of 21.10.2014. The latter recently launched its "Tepex" range of semi-finished products that use PC as a matrix material.

It remains unclear how the deal will affect the existing cooperation between TCG and US carbon fibre producer Zoltek (St. Louis, Missouri; www.zoltek.com), which in turn was recently acquired by Toray (Tokyo / Japan; www.toray.com). The two companies are collaborating in the development of structural components, including front and rear lids, bumpers, doors and arm rests. BMS said that it is generally interested in collaborating with fibre producers, adding that it is examining existing cooperations.