Amorim to help in development of Eco-Airplane

The use of composite cork materials in ultra-light civilian airplanes is under development and testing through the AEROCORK project. A sum of approximately 1.65 million dollars will be invested in this project with approx. 50% of that amount being funded by the National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF).

The group responsible for the management of this investment is made up of Dyn’Aero Ibérica, Corticeira Amorim through Amorim Cork Composites, PIEP (Innovation in Polymer Engineering – University of Minho) and AST (Active Space Technologies).

AEROCORK is producing, testing and certifying cork composites with the intention of replacing synthetic materials with cork composites in airplanes of Dyn’Aero Ibérica. The first flying tests are scheduled for the second half of 2010.

Amorim, the world’s leading producer and developer of cork composites, and the manufacturer of Wicanders Cork Flooring, will be responsible for providing know-how about agglomerated cork that is the most appropriate to the aeronautical applications in question. Amorim is already involved in the US Space Shuttle project, providing cork composites to NASA, and sees this new initiative as an “opening door” for other high technology industries, such as the railroad system.

In addition to its unique structural characteristics, cork offers undeniable environmental advantages – it is a sustainable, ecological, natural and recyclable material – and will reduce the impact of the aviation industry on the environment. 

We are proud that our parent company is part of this project.

Happy Earth Day to all!

Team Wicanders

:: :: :: :: :: :: :: ::