US-based composite materials and structural parts manufacturer, Hexcel held a launching ceremony at its new site in Roussillon where it will invest $250 million in the construction of a carbon fibre plant. The Stamford, Connecticut-headquartered company presented to the guests its plans for the new facility.
Nick Stanage, Hexcel Chairman, CEO and President, who led the event with the support of André Vallini, French Secretary of State for Territorial Reform and Didier Evrard, Airbus EVP and Head of Programmes, commented that the new French facility, together with the capacity expansions in the US, will bring additional carbon fibre capacity in Europe.
Carbon fibre from the new plant will be supplied to Hexcel customers including Airbus for the A350 XWB and Safran for the CFM LEAP engine. Construction of the new plant will begin by September 2015 and is expected to employ 120 people when fully operational in early 2018. Today Hexcel employs close to 1000 people in France.
The Roussillon facility is located close to Hexcel’s weaving and prepreg manufacturing facilities near Lyon. During the site launch, Stanage also announced further investments totaling US$22 million at these existing facilities to include capacity expansions at Hexcel’s carbon fibre weaving plant at Les Avenières, and an additional resin impregnation line in Dagneux, Montluel. These additional investments are expected to create 100 more jobs by 2018.
(PRA)
