JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #76 - October/November 2012 - 15

kayak

The Recycling wave
with assistance from aircraft manufacturer Boeing who introduced them to the Aircraft Fleet Recycling Association, an emerging composite recycling network that Boeing helped establish. According to Pete George, Boeing’s Aircraft Composites Recycling Principal Investigator, “We looked to RTP Company for high-end applications to use carbon fibre reclaimed from manufacturing scrap from our 787 Dreamliner airplane production.” The premium, aircraft-grade carbon fibre delivered the physical characteristics required at a lower fibre loading, allowing KASO to meet aesthetic requirements, something none of the virgin materials were able to do. In addition, the material is actually a little bit easier to process, and the system cost between the recycled content carbon fibre compound and virgin alternatives is insignificant. consumer product,” said Bill Carberry, Boeing’s Aircraft Recycling Project Manager. Pleased with both the look and performance of the new blades, Werner knows that using recycled content will be especially attractive to the company’s dedicated customer base of environmentally-conscious outdoor enthusiasts. n
More information: www.wernerpaddles.com www.kaso.com www.rtpcompany.com

Werner Paddles, a US manufacturer of fine handcrafted boating paddles, has used carbon fibre recycled from Boeing aircraft production to manufacture blades and to deliver soughtafter aesthetics for kayak paddles.

he company has always combined the most advanced technologies and features to bring out the best paddle performance. So, when they began having aesthetic issues with their smooth, jet-black kayak paddle blades, they moved quickly to find a solution. The blades made from carbon fibre reinforced plastic are designed to look as good as they perform. “The carbon fibre compound used for the blades is more commonly found in the manufacture of structural components where surface quality is not

T

a priority,” explained Tim Bailey, engineering manager of Werner’s moulder, KASO Plastics. “For Werner, the cosmetics of the material were as important as the strength, rigidity, and other physical properties.” The challenge was to find a way to deliver both performance and aesthetics.

From air to water
Bailey and his engineering team tried upwards of a dozen different materials from several suppliers without success until they connected with custom compounder RTP Company who recommended a recycled content material. The material, a carbon fibre reinforced compound, was developed by RTP Company

More information

RTP Company, headquartered in Winona, Minnesota, USA, is a global compounder of custom-engineered thermoplastics. The company has 12 manufacturing plants on three continents, plus sales representatives throughout the Americas, Europe, and Asia. Its engineers develop customized thermoplastic compounds. Werner paddles are carefully handcrafted in Sultan, Washington, USA, where the company produces a complete range of whitewater, touring, stand up and canoe, raft and outrigger paddles, each of which addresses weight, strength, durability and performance. Every aspect of the paddles works together to increase comfort and reduce fatigue. Founded in 1962, Vancouver, Washington-based KASO Plastics is a full-service custom plastic injection moulder specializing in short runs.

Recycled fibres with added value
“Werner’s kayak paddle is a great example of Boeing’s sustainable manufacturing strategy at work, where post-industrial scrap from aircraft production provides a high-performance solution for a

No76 October - November 2012

/ jec composites magazine 15
http://www.wernerpaddles.com http://www.kaso.com http://www.rtpcompany.com
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #76 - October/November 2012

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #76 - October/November 2012
