Boeing, Royal TenCate, Fokker and the University of Twente jointly to open the new TPRC laboratory and visiting center
On Tuesday, 26 June the partners in the TPRC ThermoPlastic Composite Research Centre will open a new laboratory and visiting center on the Innovation Campus in Enschede. Researchers, suppliers and manufacturers are working together at the TPRC on the research and development of thermoplastic composites. These are plastics that are both sturdy and lightweight, making them versatile materials for the aviation industry, medical applications, the sports world and the automotive industry. The partners share research results and research facilities. This is a fine example of cooperation in the 'golden triangle': government, industry and knowledge institutes. Fokker Technologies, Boeing, TenCate and the University of Twente are the initiators of the TPRC.
A collaboration agreement was signed three years ago on 12 June 2009, which resulted in the creation of the TPRC. The Centre has produced a number of results in the course of the past three years. For example, 15 persons work for the organization and it is engaged in eight research projects. The Province of Overijssel, the Twente Region, EFRO and the central government provided a subsidy of over four million euros in 2010. Industry contributes at least the same amount. In early 2012, five other companies joined the TPRC: Instron, DTC, Pinette Emidecau Industries, Italmatic and AniForm.
An important reason for establishing the TPRC is the increasing use of thermoplastic composites in the aviation industry. A major advantage of thermoplastic composites is their short production time. It is essential, however, to have a thorough understanding of how the material behaves during the production process. The TPRC is building leading knowledge in this field by conducting research and making its expertise available to members in the form of guidelines, data and software tools. In addition to the aviation industry, the TPRC also sees many opportunities in other sectors such as the the automotive industry, sports world and the health care sector.
The TPRC laboratory, located at Palatijn 15-17 in Enschede, will be officially opened on 26 June at 16:00. Mr. Bill Gerry, Boeing’s Program Manager for Global Research and Development Strategy and Chairman of TPRC, will give a speech on this occasion. There will then be speeches by Theo Rietkerk, member of the Provincial Executive of Overijssel, Ed Brinksma, Rector Magnificus of the University of Twente and Loek de Vries, Chairman and CEO of Royal TenCate. Following the speeches, there will be visits to the new laboratory, demonstrations and an opportunity to speak with the attendees.
Contact person
Juliette Fhij, mobile +31 6 57 93 92 96