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Porcher names Jean-Marc Senecot as global head, R&D

19 Feb '19

3 min read

Jean-Marc Senecot/Courtesy: Porcher Industries

Porcher has announced that the company has appointed Jean-Marc Senecot as the new global head of R&D. Jean Marc Senecot will confirm the group’s ambitious plans for new technologies during JEC World 2019, from March 12-14, 2019, in Paris. The company is a leader in technical textiles and thermoplastic composite solutions with a global platform.

Following a successful two-year period focused on expansion and investment in global plants, technologies and systems, 2019 will see Porcher focus on innovation, delivering the latest textile and chemical solutions.

Taking a global responsibility for innovation and new technology across the group, Jean-Marc will lead the successful delivery of all new product development and technology projects – typically managing more than 90 projects per year, according to Porcher. Innovation will be based on three pillars that form the core of Porcher Industries strength that include lightweighting, safety, and recycling through life analysis.

Lightweighting includes RD activities on TP high performance matrices resulting in successes such as the first TP C/PEEK primary part for the Airbus helicopter rotor, the lightest fabrics for paragliding, and lightweight composites for automotive using polypreg fabrics. Safety: includes the development of a new generation of RCY (rubber coating yarn) for transmission belts, automotive airbags, and environmentally friendly products such as GreenLite. Recycling through life cycle analysis includes the improvement of life cycles of glass fabrics by utilising waste in exhaust applications and the ADEM project that provide a second life on TP/C scraps.

The commitment is also highlighted by including R&D centres in key global sites. The new Chinese Zheigang Plant, inaugurated in 2018, is dedicated initially to the manufacture of technical textiles for the local automotive market, closely followed by the aerospace and industrial sectors. This new Chinese production facility with a cash investment of $50 million boasts state of the art technology.

In the US, a brand new, seven million USD purpose-built facility in Dansville, Virginia will open 65 key positions, many of whom will work collaboratively with the France-based R&D centre to build on the many patents already held.

Throughout 2019 and 2020, a new Centre of Excellence (CoE) will be created in Saint Julien en Saint Alban, through the merging of the two existing sites of La Voulte and Saint Julien en Saint Alban. This new CoE will showcase Porcher’s specific technology and expertise for rubber coated yarns production and development. (GK)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk – India