CompositesWorld
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9 CompositesWorld.com supplementing internal competencies and development with partnerships, such as its Tier 1 membership in the ermoplastic Composites Research Center (TPRC) and other European consor- tiums and clusters, such as ermoplastic Affordable Primary Aircraft Structure (TAPAS) and European ermoplastic Automo- tive Composites consortium (eTAC) 3 . Teijin has developed TPC materials reinforced with its own carbon fibers and offers high-rate processing techniques for sub-60 second automotive parts. It also has added part production capacity and expertise, with its acquisition of molder Continental Structural Plastics, and has launched a recycled carbon fiber- reinforced thermoplastic material in Europe 4 . ese downstream movements and transactions provide momentum to kick-start use of Teijin's new materials at component level. Ultimately, we predict that aspects of both approaches will be evident over the next five-year period, with a solid understanding of the entire value chain being the key to success in this complex tapestry. e largest thermoplastics players are well placed, and evidently very keen to deploy their developmental and financial firepower now. Recent thermoplastic automotive projects, such as the Bentley Bentayga and Audi Q7 SUV underbody engine shields, fuel tank and center tunnel covers, produced with trademarked LANXESS Tepex TPCs, are examples of thermoplastic tech- nology leaders' involvement in truly industrial-scale composite applications that would be hard to match with thermoset compos- ites . erefore, we see the chemical materials giants as most likely to be able to execute in the largest scale applications. Composites manufacturing specialists that focus on high-perfor- mance TP materials and employ downstream acquisition strategies to facilitate rapid adoption of their technology and promote their knowledge are especially suited to growth in more niche applica- tions, such as aerospace or medical. We also expect to see M&A; activity here because these technology leaders are attractive targets for major thermoplastics players that wish to integrate thermoset and thermoplastic composite expertise into their operations. REFERENCES 1 MarketsandMarkets.com. 2 Future Materials Group. 3 Sara Black, CompositesWorld (2015). 4 Teijin press releases (2017). Delivering TPC Potential ABOUT THE AUTHOR Dr. Myriam Yagoubi is a consultant at Future Materials Group (FMG, Cambridge, UK). Her primary role is to support FMG's clients in developing their business growth strategies, creating benchmarking analyses, forecasting models and market entry approaches. She is also responsible for carrying out due diligence assignments for buy-side M&A; and assisting in sell-side transactions. Previously a researcher and project manager for Infineum UK Ltd. (Abingdon, UK), she developed and commercialized novel products for the lubricant market. Yagoubi holds a Ph.D in organic chemistry from the University of Oxford and an MS in chemistry from the Ecole Nationale de Chimie of Montpellier, France.