E!

2535TFACTORY PANELFORM

Revolutionising panel
production
New thermoplastic sandwich section panels that are recyclable, lighter than wood and have
a market worth an estimated 20 million Euro a year.

Following on from the success of in a single panel). The four panels can be welded together
EUREKA project E! 2534 THERMOPOLE, and the whole caravan constructed in minutes, thereby
which developed thermoplastic significantly increasing the production capacity for UK
lampposts that save lives by bending on project partner Avondale. The panels can be treated with a
impact, EUREKA project E! 2535 new fire-resistant polymer, and can also be fully recycled.
FACTORY PANELFORM has adapted the thermoplastic Other potential applications include modular flooring for
technology to produce sandwich section panels for a marquees, truck bodies, water barrier systems and
market worth over 20 million Euro a year. scaffolding.
T Using thermoplastic panels also has environmental
The recyclable panels can be produced in three-metre benefits. "The project enables companies to use
wide sections at a rate of four metres per minute, in a solvent-free environmentally friendly materials and the light
variety of colours and finishes. The new weight of the structures means transport
material is stronger and more durable than "Although we are at the forefront of companies save on fuel. The number of back
wood, which currently dominates the target materials ideas, it is EUREKA that injuries previously sustained during handling
allows the ideas to become reality
markets. Another advantage is that the panels will also be reduced," explains Boyce.
through co operation. EUREKA
can be fused together forming strong edges partnerships provide the skills we The project partners describe the potential
that do not come apart even in damp lack and speed up the market as colossal, but with challenges
development process."
conditions, thus solving a structural problem ahead. "With THERMOPOLE we had to drive
that has plagued plywood panels. Gerald Boyce the market to accept plastic instead of metal;
"Our German partners have created a new Euro Projects (LTTC)
the same is true with PANELFORM where we
UK
material that is a quarter of the weight of have to prove the value of composites over
wood at the price of marine plywood," says Gerard Boyce, wood and plywood," says Boyce.
director of the UK lead partner, Euro-Projects (LTTC) Ltd EPL estimated that within 5 years over 500,000m2 of
(EPL). "It is lighter to handle and because it's thermoplastic, thermoplastic composite panels per year will be being
we have been able to successfully form the panel into a produced annually.
wide range of applications." "Although we are at the forefront of materials ideas, it is
EUREKA that allows the ideas to become reality through co
Facilitating production operation. EUREKA partnerships provide the skills we lack
The new technology will have a dramatic impact on and speed up the development process," says Boyce.
current production methods. For example, it can be used to
build a new thermoplastic caravan in four panels (a
structural floor, two side panels and the top, front and back

Participating countries Contact

United Kingdom, Sweden, Germany Euro Projects (Lttc) Ltd.
Budget: 5.15MEURO Fowke Street, 1-3
Le7 7pjTRothley, United Kingdom
Mr. Gerard S. Boyce
Tel +44 116 237 6693;TFax +44 116 230 0989;T
EUREKA g.boyce@europrojects.co.uk

www.eureka.be