Hexcel Corporation has made a strategic investment in Oxford Performance Materials (OPM), a manufacturer of thermoplastic, carbon fibre reinforced functional 3D printed parts for the biomedical, aerospace and industrial markets.
Already a global leader in advanced composites and carbon fibre, Hexcel aims to further advance the commercial application of additive manufacturing technology specifically in the aerospace market.
“Aerospace adoption of reinforced manufactured parts using Hexcel carbon fibre is becoming a viable and meaningful design solution due to its performance and processing advantages," Hexcel Chairman, CEO and President Nick Stanage explained. "With the adoption of these lightweight, high-performing materials expected to accelerate, this is an ideal opportunity for our two companies to work together enabling faster product development and adoption for our customers.”
Scott DeFelice, OPM’s Chairman and CEO, added, “Hexcel represents the gold standard in carbon fibre and composite material technologies, and our core target markets are extremely complementary. Hexcel’s investment in OPM will help enable us to further expand production capacity to meet rapidly growing market demand for our OXFAB technology. In addition, this investment sets the stage for joint technology collaboration and business development efforts with Hexcel.”
OPM is the only company producing 3D printed PEKK-based products in today’s marketplace, including patient-specific medical implants and strong, lightweight parts for space, defence and commercial aircraft.
