Composite reinforcement company Chomarat Group has been named as a finalist in the JEC Innovation Awards in the Maritime Transportation and Shipbuilding category.
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Chomarat shortlisted for JEC Innovation Award
The Group developed G-FLOW 980L, a structural flow media with 100 per cent glass fibre for use in boat production using the resin infusion process, in collaboration with Groupe Beneteau.
Claude Chabal, Product Manager at Chomarat, said: “The challenge was to develop a fabric with high permeability in all directions that can be integrated into the structure of large composite parts without damaging their mechanical characteristics, while reducing infusion process costs. And we succeeded, thanks to our collaborative work and long-term partnership with Groupe Beneteau.”
The partnership resulted in an innovative design that brings unprecedented flow performance and superior mechanical properties.
In addition to lightweighting, the use of G-FLOW reinforcement in the resin infusion process reduces the impact on health and the environment through a reduction in consumables and waste.
G-FLOW can replace any flow media in large-scale parts using the resin infusion process for the same mechanical properties, offering two products in one.
Damien Barre, Head of Project for Composite Materials at Groupe Beneteau, added: “G-FLOW 980L meets all our expectations: isotropic permeability, mechanical performance and overall cost savings.”
With this new solution, Chomarat facilitates and reduces the costs of large composite parts using the resin infusion process and thereby helps to develop the use of infusion with these specifications. G-FLOW has been used in more than 500 boats since 2018 and can be applied to different parts and new ranges.
Vincent Cholvy, Marine Market Manager at Chomarat, concluded: “We hope to win this award as it represents true recognition from the profession for our innovation.”