Plastics in the air

The revolutionary Boeing 787 Dreamliner, the first ever aircraft to be made of 50% carbon fibre composite material, will make its international debut on Sunday 18th July at the Farnborough Airshow.

 

 An increased use of carbon fibre composite materials over traditional aluminium has significantly reduced the weight of the aircraft and there is a reported 20% saving in fuel with no compromise on speed. As well as this, the carbon fibre composite fuselage requires far fewer parts compared to aluminium as there is less to bolt together. A one piece composite fuselage section saves a total 1,500 aluminium sheets and 40,000 aluminium fasteners.

 

The composite fuselage also means more humidity can be allowed in the cabin's air. In aluminium aircrafts the cabin air is kept dry to lessen the risk of corrosion. The 787's windows are far larger than those in other aircraft.

 

The manufacturing of components for the Dreamliner is a global process with parts being constructed around the world. BPF member companies are amongst the suppliers.

 

Peter Davis Director-General of the British Plastics Federation said: “Use of plastic carbon fibre composites is not new in aircraft and Formula 1 racing cars, but they have never been used on this scale before in a state of the art airliner like the 787. Such a fuel efficient aircraft is good news for the environment and good news for the British companies, including BPF members who are supplying components."

 

 

 

 

For all media enquiries, BPF logo and images, please contact Rita Ogole, Senior Public Affairs Executive on 0207 457 5043 or email [email protected]

  

 

British Plastics Federation (BPF) is the UK trade association for the plastics industry – representing the whole supply chain including polymer producers, distributors, additives suppliers, machinery manufacturers, processors and recyclers.