Trelleborg’s advanced engineering & materials operation has taken home the prestigious Innovation Award at this year’s Chemicals Northwest Awards in Manchester, UK. The company was awarded the accolade after diversifying from its original beginnings as an engineering-based organization to a chemical processor of composite materials.

Following the company’s decision to develop syntactic foam composites in 2009, project High Performance Low Density (HPLD) was born. The objective was to manufacture low density materials capable of performing at high hydrostatic pressures and in harsh subsea environments. By bringing the manufacturing process in-house, Trelleborg’s advanced engineering & materials operation held a unique position in the market.

Brian Richardson, QHSE Manager within Trelleborg’s advanced engineering & materials operation, says: “Global demand for subsea equipment to operate at ever deeper seawater depths has dramatically increased in the past 50 years. Exploration depths have moved from 150 meters in the North Sea to the deepest known location on the planet; the Marianas Trench at 11,500 meters. Consequently, the requirement for low density syntactic materials capable of withstanding the extreme hydrostatic pressures at these depths has become greater.

Tags: Trelleborg Offshore