France-based company Daher has secured a multi-year contract to supply thermoplastic composite structural parts for Boeing 787 aircraft.

Under the terms of the contract, Daher will start the deliveries and installation of the elementary structural parts this year to replace the existing 787 components, which are made using conventional thermoset composite materials.

Daher aerospace and defence senior vice-president Nicolas Orance said: “Daher is pleased to begin our Boeing relationship with thermoplastic composite technology, which holds significant promise in further driving down the aviation industry’s costs of manufacturing aerostructures.”

“We are fully committed to meeting Boeing’s expectations on this initial work package.”

The new thermoplastic composite structural parts are said to be lightweight, strong and cost-effective.

The manufacturing process of thermoplastic composites is also subject to minimal production environment constraints such as limited shelf-life and the necessity for cold storage.

Thermoplastic composite components are also stated to be more resilient with significant recycling potentiality.

The curing of thermoplastic matrices can also be done in short cycles, thereby facilitating faster production times.

Daher Americas business development head Armelle de Larminat said: “We are fully committed to meeting Boeing’s expectations on this initial work package, and are ready to explore other opportunities that will bring additional manufacturing cost reductions.”

Daher’s Nantes-based production facility has received approval from Boeing to supply thermoplastic composite parts.