Photo Credit: Solvay On Feb. 2, Solvay (Alpharetta, Ga., U.S.) and Leonardo (Rome, Italy) announced the launch of a joint research lab dedicated to the development of novel thermoplastic composite materials and production processes, targeted at enabling a step-change in composite aerostructures manufacture and reducing environmental impacts. The Solvay Leonardo Joint Lab will focus on thermoplastic engineered materials and, in particular, welding and automatic lamination (in-situ consolidation) of complex and large aerostructures, with the goals of maximizing product properties, increasing part production efficiency, and extending produce lifecycle. The emphasis on thermoplastic composites was chosen for thermoplastics’ potential for lightweighting more fuel-efficient aircraft and for enabling more sustainable, out-of-autoclave production lines.