DSM, a global life sciences and material sciences company that is also engaged in providing innovative composites to the automobile industry across the world, inaugurated a new school building at Kusgaon near Pune that has entirely been made out of composite materials. The initiative, according to the company's management, is a demonstration of building out of materials that are not only quicker to assemble but are durable, sustainable and cost-effective too. The project was jointly led by DSM Composite Resins and Kemrock Industries. Speaking at a press conference, Dr Michael Effing, President, DSM Composite Resins, said, "Because of the lightweight and modular nature of the materials, the building was assembled only in six days by non-skilled workers without the need for any specialised equipment." The school building has four classrooms with FRP walls, doors, and furniture. "A structure made out of conventional materials like bricks and mortar would take up to 3-4 months to build with more manpower and equipment," Dr Effing said. Meanwhile, though the school project was flagged off as a part of its corporate social responsibility, DSM and Kemrock are now going to pursue it as a business model and sell the concept to schools across India as also have a dialogue with the government to consider building shelters out of composite materials that can be used in the wake of natural disasters. "We have not worked out the cost yet since this was only a pilot project but we are going ahead with the setting up a special plant in Pune that will concentrate on using composite materials for construction purposes," Dr Effing said.

DSM Composite Resins is part of DSM Resins, a group within the performance materials cluster of DSM, and is the largest producer of structural resins in Europe and a technology leader in resins for the composite industry. DSM's presence in India has been established since 2001 when it first began its trading activities. In 2010, DSM Composite Resins opened its headquarters in Pune and now has three manufacturing sites. "The Indian market for composite materials has been growing rapidly and we are expected to grow by about three times by 2015," said Mr Rajiv Chopra, President, DSM India. The company has signed a joint venture with the Baroda-based Kemrock Industries and Exports Ltd, a leading manufacturer of reinforced polymer (FRP/GRP) composites in India.

Elaborating about new products aimed specifically for the automotive segment, Dr Effing said that DSM Composite Resins has developed a new resin system, Palapreg Premium, for Class A exterior SMC-BMC applications which has set a new standard in the industry. "It will help bring the total emissions of the SMC application down to around 100 ppm according to VDA 278. This development has resulted in a breakthrough reduction of VOC emissions, which is in keeping with the automotive sector's strict low VOC emission demands," he added. A press note about this product states that as well as environmental advantages, the new resin also offers a complete solution for the industry, which means faster dosing and shorter cycle times. "Palapreg Premium also gives a significantly improved surface quality and is fully online paintable, making it ideal for large exterior body panels," it states.

Kemrock Launches First Indigenous Industrial Grade Carbon Fibre

Kemrock Industries and Exports Ltd (KIEL), one of the leading manufacturers of fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) composites, launched a range of carbon fibre products for industrial applications under the brand name "JAITEC" The products were launched by Mr Ashok Nayak, Chairman of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), during his visit to Kemrock's facility. Appreciating Kemrock's successful operations andcommercial production of carbon fibre plant, Mr Nayak expressed that, "Kemrock and HAL have also joined hands together by signing an MoU for manufacture of carbon fibre prepregs. Initially, we were contemplating to have the prepreg manufacturing facility at HAL Bengaluru, considering the proximity of our other facilities. But I was highly impressed seeing Kemrock's commitment and capabilities at its world class facility in Vadodara which has made HAL decide to make prepregs at Kemrock, apart from the other grades of carbon fibre products."

Acknowledging HAL's continued support, Mr Kalpesh Patel, CMD, KIEL, said "Kemrock and HAL's relationship will grow forward very strongly and it is our commitment to take on these new opportunities together."

Headquartered in Vadodara, Kemrock Industries and Exports Ltd, is India's leading producer of FRP/GRP composites, offering a fully integrated range of raw materials and engineered composites products. Established in 1981 as a small start-up and incorporated in 1991, the company offers world-class integrated solutions - from design to delivery - in its state-of-the-art manufacturing unit at Vadodara, which houses most of the processes at a single location. The company's product range includes thermo-setting resins and composite products such as windmill blades, rail coach interiors and exteriors, cable management systems, pultruded profiles, gratings, piping systems, lighting poles, access systems and now carbon fibre.