It is my pleasant duty on behalf of the Management Committee to thank all of our members and friends for the support they have given us over the last twelve months and to wish you all a very successful 2005.

The last year has been a very productive period for the MTFW. Our membership has grown by more than fifty percent, our website with its Member’s Page has been very well received and our Bulletin has continued to grow in stature. In addition we have run a wide selection of Seminars and Events that have been well attended.Throughout the period we have focused on technologies such as Materials in Architecture and the building industry,Advanced Composite Systems, Sustainable Materials, exciting and innovative manufacturing methods and advanced research being carried out by the University Departments, the Centres of Excellence and within industry. Furthermore through the Bulletin we have focused on the key technology activities of our members and have highlighted the various sources of funding available for advancing business interests.

We continue our focused theme in this Bulletin with articles from our Centres of Excellence, highlighting their links to SMEs within Wales.The Centres of Excellence are playing a key role within the Welsh economy and I know from my contacts throughout the UK that they are highly respected and could be a model that other regions may follow in the future.

Finally, I would like to say that your Committee is formulating an exciting range of activities for 2005, which I am sure you will find useful, informative and enjoyable.

Fibre reinforced polymers
– house building in the 21st century

At the Forum’s recent event 'Composites Opportunities in Housing' the programme looked at how the social and private housing sectors are facing similar challenges.The following factors affect the current situation and require innovation in a traditional industry:

• the dramatic increase in the number of single homebuyers, single parent families and the need to produce more affordable properties
• the need to provide more energy efficient housing – for both social and private markets
• the need to provide cost effective solutions for the whole life cycle of housing – particularly in the social housing sector where many housing associations are looking for 30-year whole life costs
• improvements in the construction process required by recent government reviews – e.g. Egan report – cleaner, faster more flexible construction technologies
• insufficient skilled labour for traditional construction
• performance problems with existing products manufactured from ‘traditional materials’ for example roof coverings, fascias, sofits, rainwater goods, windows and doors.

Exterior Door	Sash Windows
Courtesy Lindman Doors

Many of these requirements point to prefabrication where possible. Fibre reinforced polymer (FRP or ‘composite’) components facilitate the move to offsite factory produced lightweight components that can:

• ease skill shortages
• ensure better quality control
• improve site safety
• increase productivity
• increase flexibility.

It has been proposed that in 15 years’ time 15% of housing will use the concept of modular build – pre-fabricated components joined together on site.The production methods for FRP components are flexible enough to allow small scale prefabrication of factory-made components that can be used in refurbishing or converting existing buildings as well as in factory produced modules.They can also be made to mimic the appearance of traditional materials, which can be important in conservative sectors of the market. Recent developments have produced concept designs for a fully composite house.

Canopy	Fake Stone
Courtesy Production Glassfibre

Many housing associations and house builders have little awareness of prefabricated FRP components and their clear advantages which include:

• the transfer of work input from the site to the factory greatly reduces construction costs and timescales
• standard components can be produced with known dimensions and properties
• the good thermal and acoustic insulation properties of FRP panel systems and components result in increased user comfort and reduced energy input
• the lightweight of structural elements reduces the cost of the lifting equipment needed for assembly and erection, and can have a favourable effect on the cost of the foundations
• in earthquake zones the weight savings have a major impact on the cost of superstructure and foundations
• the good surface finish of the composite components dispenses with the need for supplementary architectural finishes.

In Europe and elsewhere, particularly the USA and Japan, the application of FRP components in housing is developing fast.

The UK has two options – develop existing technology within the UK and improve the UK industry, or import the technology from abroad. The first option is recommended as the impact of technology will need to be further developed to comply with UK Building Regulations. However, the second option should not be rejected outright.

For further information contact:

Tim Chase Centre for Composites in Construction, BRE, UK Tel: 01923 664668 E-mail: chaset@bre.co.uk Web-site: www.bre.co.uk

Network Group for Composites in Construction (NGCC)

The NGCC, launched in 2000, is the first group to formally bring together the composites (FRP) and construction industries in the UK. Originally a DTI initiative, it is now a self-funding organisation set up to encourage best practice and to promote the safe and effective use of FRPs in construction.Through a coordinated approach, NGCC is strengthening the position of the UK industry at an international level.

For more information visit: www.ngcc.org.uk or E-mail: composites@ngcc.org.uk