New licensing agreements between Lancaster Fibre Technology Group (LFT, 33 Europa Way, Lune Industrial Estate, GB-Lancaster, LA1 5QP), PPG Industries and Asset Associates Ltd will enable production of what Lancaster calls a “new, highly cost-effective form of e-glass” which it say has the potential to “revolutionise” the short fibre end of the composites industry. LFT will manufacture so-called fiberlets from a PPG in-house byproduct stream using patented technology.

Fiberlets production relies on a “novel” conversion process to transform the hitherto unused byproduct stream from glass fibre manufacture into a “well-characterised” short fibre product, which LFT says is an “environmentally favourable” product that can be made at a fraction of the cost of conventional chopped strand or milled fibre.

Cost savings in bulk moulding compounds are estimated at more than 30%. In thermoplastic compounds, notably PP, PE and nylon, LFT says incorporation of fiberlets is easy and high loadings can be achieved, leading to improvements in thermal stability and creep, as well as economic advantages.