Hexcel Corporation today announced that it is in the process of investing $20 million in new state of the art equipment for prepreg production in the UK, Spain, Germany and France, to meet the growing demands of the aerospace industry.

Hexcel has already begun expanding its formulated resin capability in Duxford UK and has added a new prepreg line at its plant in Parla, Spain, both to be fully operational March 2006.  Additionally, new prepreg capacity is to be installed in Stade, Germany and Nantes, France, where Hexcel will set up prepreg production facilities close to Airbus locations.  This extensive capacity expansion plan is designed to meet the growing demand for prepreg for current and future aerospace programmes.

In addition to increasing capacity, the new facilities in Stade and Nantes will enable Hexcel to exceed customer expectations for delivery and responsiveness, while enhancing product quality and making the overall supply chain more efficient and reliable. Airbus will be the primary customer for prepregs produced at each location. The new lines are expected to be operational by December 2006.

“I am delighted that we are expanding Hexcel’s prepreg capacity in Europe.” said Dave Berges, Hexcel’s Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President.
 “Setting up new prepreg facilities in close proximity to the major Airbus composite manufacturing sites will reinforce our partnership and enable us to meet the growing requirements for prepreg for current and future aircraft programmes”.

News of the investment follows Hexcel’s announcement on November 15th that it is setting up a carbon fibre manufacturing plant in Spain and expanding carbon fibre manufacturing facilities in the USA.   Hexcel is the leader in advanced composite materials for aerospace and also is a leading producer of high strength and intermediate modulus carbon fibres used in military and commercial aircraft, launch vehicles and satellites.

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Hexcel Corporation is a leading advanced structural materials company. It develops, manufactures and markets lightweight, high-performance reinforcement products, composite materials and composite structures for use in commercial aerospace, space and defense, electronics, and industrial applications.

UK Contact:  Rachel Atkinson   
Tel: +44 (0)1223 838370   
Rachel.Atkinson@hexcel.com

France Contact :  Sophie Meyniel
Tel : +33 (0)4 7225 2633
Sophie.Meyniel@hexcel.com