Marine

Composite materials were first used in the marine industry back in the 1970's, when Hexcel supplied glass reinforcements for performance boats, canoes and dinghies.

Decades earlier Hexcel supplied honeycomb sandwich panels for the first hovercrafts. In the past 40 years Hexcel has developed a wider range of composite materials to meet marine industry requirements, including proven America's Cup Class Prepregs and Honeycombs for Performance Boats. The success achieved by winning competition yachts built with Hexcel materials has led the introduction of exclusive products including HexTow® IM7 and IM2 carbon fibers; HexPly® M9 and M10 prepreg systems; and HexForce® NC2® non crimp fabrics, that are up to 2.5 m wide with integrated inply symmetry.  

In 2009 Marc Guillemot’s Hexcel-sponsored 60 foot sailboat SAFRAN finished third in the Vendée Globe race. Three of the top four finishers in the race had boats custom made with Hexcel's composite materials.