TechFab, LLC Inks Supply Agreement With Zoltek For C-GRID® Manufacturing
ANDERSON, SC – TechFab, LLC today announced that it has executed a multi-year supply agreement with Zoltek Companies Inc. to use its carbon fiber in its C-GRID® line of composite reinforcement products.
TechFab has developed a patented composite reinforcement grid, C-GRID®, that can deliver up to seven times the tensile strength of steel reinforcement by weight. When used in precast concrete, this non-corrosive carbon fiber grid enables engineers to develop sections that use significantly less concrete cover, leading to weight reductions up to 70 percent and potential savings in shipping, erection and substructure.
The use of carbon fiber reinforcing has been hailed as one of the most significant advances in the $5 billion precast industry since the technology came to the United States from Europe in the 1950s. Carbon fiber typically replaces secondary steel reinforcing in precast concrete, delivering the potential for dramatic weight savings, long-term durability and increased structural strength.
John Carson, Director of Commercial Development and Program Leader for C-GRID technology at TechFab, indicated the agreement will ensure a consistent supply of C-GRID during initial product launch years. "Zoltek has been our primary fiber supplier and advocate from day one of this project and we are pleased to recognize their vision and confidence in TechFab for this new and novel commercial grid technology," Carson said.
TechFab supplies C-GRID to AltusGroup, a partnership of the nation's leading precast concrete producers, for use in CarbonCast concrete building components such as architectural and spandrel panels, wall panels and hardwall panels for commercial building exteriors; double tees for parking garages; and wall panels and floor decking for residential applications.
With combined revenues of more than $1 billion, AltusGroup companies offer CarbonCast as the first-ever national brand of precast concrete, delivering nationwide availability, uniform production standards and consistent performance specifications. Since the introduction of CarbonCast in mid-2004, AltusGroup members have sold more than 2 million square feet of CarbonCast products using C-GRID reinforcing.
"This is a commercial application for carbon fibers with significant growth potential," said Zsolt Rumy, Zoltek's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "We have been working with TechFab and other members of the AltusGroup for some time and we are absolutely delighted that they have chosen us as their carbon fiber supplier in what promises to be a true revolution in building with concrete."
About TechFab LLC
TechFab, LLC (www.techfabllc.com) is headquartered in Anderson, S.C., and manufactures adhesive bonded nonwoven scrims, scrim composites, carbon fiber C-GRID® and MeC-GRID® Structural Grids using fiber glass, polyester, Twaron®, Kevlar®, Spectra®, Vectran® and other high performance fibers. Adhesive binder systems used by TechFab include PVC, Latex, SBR, urethanes, and epoxy thermoset resins. Examples of applications for the company's products include Cement and Concrete Reinforcement, Roofing Systems, High Performance Sail Cloth, and Infrastructure Repair and Rehabilitation products. The company is a 50/50 Joint Venture of Hexcel and Chomarat Composites.
About Zoltek
Zoltek (www.zoltek.com) is an applied technology and materials company, and its Carbon Fiber Business Unit is primarily focused on the manufacturing and application of carbon fibers used as reinforcement material in composites, oxidized acrylic fibers for heat/fire barrier applications, aircraft brakes, and composite design and engineering to support the Company's materials business.
Source: TechFab LLC