German distributor is seeking licence from Russia to produce basalt fibres in Europe

German distributor is seeking licence from Russia to produce basalt fibres in Europe

Basalt fibres can produce a better surface finish than glass fibres in reinforced plastics, according to Intrec Polymers.

Intrec, a distributor of plastic compounds based in Mьhlheim an der Ruhr, Germany, showed mouldings using 50% basalt fibre at the Fakuma fair last week. It is exploring options to develop the technology, which originated from a Soviet aerospace research programme in the 1980s.

Basalt fibre reinforced plastics are suitable for painting because of their better surface quality compared with glass fibre equivalents, Intrec claimed. The company also demonstrated a moulding that had been electroplated without the need for pre-treatment.

Sales manager Heinz Kohnen said the fibres were produced by melting basalt and forcing it through bushings to create fibres, which can be made into reinforcement material in the form of chopped fibres, continuous fibres, rovings and fabrics.

Intrec is seeking a licence from Russia for production of the basalt fibres in western Europe, possibly in a region containing basalt deposits such as central Italy.

The current price of about E7/kg is about three times that of glass fibres, Kohnen said, adding that this should come down to the level of glass fibres as production volumes increase.