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New heights Walloon companies lift quality of composite materials for aviation sector By Andy Furniere
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forced plastics) – as a promising domain in aviation, and through regional development programmes has supported Walloon companies to adjust their R&D activities accordingly. Skywin also regularly organises events such as seminars to keep them up to date with the latest evolutions.
Skywin, the region’s aerospace cluster, long ago identified composites – like thermosets (reinforced resins) and thermoplastics (rein-
“Composite materials can make aviation structures lighter compared to the traditional metal alloys, while being just as high per-
forming,” says Ashley Lyon, aeronautics and space expert at Wallonia’s foreign trade and investment agency (AWEX). “The reduction of weight is essential to companies because it allows aircraft to have more fuel, cargo and people on board.” Thanks to new techniques, composites are becoming increasingly resistant and cheaper to produce. That doesn’t mean they don’t pose any challenges, however. Maintenance can be
© Getty Images/Superjoseph
he aviation industry is increasingly looking to lightweight and resistant composite materials to replace metal alloys such as aluminium, steel and titanium. With the help of the Walloon Region, many local companies are tapping into the potential of these materials.
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