#Japan #Tokyo #Sumitomo Bakelite #A350F #Vaupell

Airbus A350F Cargo Liners Set for Mass Production

Vaupell Industrial Plastics, a subsidiary of Sumitomo Bakelite, has officially announced that they will start the mass production of the main deck cargo liners for the Airbus A350F starting from September 2025. This exciting development comes as the global economic landscape recovers and evolves, particularly in the aviation sector, which is seeing an uptick in demand for air travel and cargo transportation.

Background and Context

The recovery of the global economy suggests that the demand for passenger aircraft is expected to surpass the levels observed before the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, the growing e-commerce market has contributed to an increasing demand for cargo aircraft. This evolving market presents a significant business opportunity for the group focusing on aircraft interior parts. In response to the rising demand for cargo aircraft, Vaupell has set up a new production line for aircraft interior components at SNC Industrial Laminates Sdn. Bhd. (SNC) located in Malaysia. This production facility integrates Vaupell’s supply chain management and product assembly technologies with Sumitomo Bakelite's expertise in resin technology to establish a comprehensive production system for aircraft interior components.

Details on the Mass Production of Cargo Liners

The A350F cargo liners will benefit from a fully integrated production process. At SNC, the company will handle the molding and processing of resin products used in the interior components. As a certified Tier 1 supplier to Airbus since 2019, Vaupell will ensure that the cargo liners for the next-generation large cargo aircraft, the A350F, embody high standards. To manufacture these cargo liners, SNC will utilize its advanced thermoset composite laminate technology, combined with Vaupell’s injection molding, coating, and assembly techniques for aircraft interior components.

SNC will manage the molding and processing of the resin products, while Vaupell China (Dongguan) Co., Ltd. will handle the painting of thermoplastic injection molded parts. The final assembly will take place at Vaupell Europe GmbH in Germany, culminating in delivery to Airbus. Importantly, this product is set to achieve Airbus certification in April 2024, paving the way for the commencement of mass production in September 2025.

Future Outlook

Leveraging our resin technology alongside manufacturing techniques compliant with various aviation industry certification standards, our aim is to foster further business expansion with Airbus. The collaboration is expected to enhance the capabilities and offerings of Vaupell in the field of aerospace components, thus fulfilling the changing needs of the aviation sector.

Overview of Vaupell Group and SNC Industrial Laminates

Vaupell Group

• - Headquarters: 11323 Commando Rd West, Everett, Washington, 98204, USA.
• - Locations: USA (Everett and three other sites), China (Dongguan), Germany (Hamburg).

Vaupell leverages its extensive knowledge of materials and molding technologies, providing engineering solutions that range from resins for commercial aerospace applications to aircraft interior subassemblies.

SNC Industrial Laminates SDN. BHD.

• - Headquarters: PLO 38, Jalan Keluli Satu, Pasir Gudang, Industrial Estate, 81700 Pasir Gudang, Johor, Malaysia.
• - Location: Malaysia (Pasir Gudang).

SNC began by manufacturing copper-clad laminates and has since expanded into the production of phenolic resins and aircraft interior materials, developing a diverse portfolio that fuels its growth.

Inquiries

For further inquiries regarding this matter, please contact:
Sumitomo Bakelite Co., Ltd.
Materials Solutions Sales Division
Polymer Sales Department
TEL: 03-5462-4241
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