Following the joint development between TenCate Advanced Composites and the Adler Group with regard to the Alfa Romeo 4C chassis, an exclusive supply agreement has been reached for the use of carbon fibre composite prepreg material.

This advanced material is being used for the production of the entire monocoque. The central passenger cell reduces vehicle weight and creates a highly rigid and safe basic structure.

This agreement encapsulates the relationship which began at the inception of this automotive project and sees the E700 series carbon fibre prepreg from the TenCate Advanced Composites manufacturing facility in Langley Mill (Nottingham), UK being used by the Adler Group in Ottaviano (Naples), Italy.

Mr. Frank Meurs, group director of TenCate Advanced Composites EMEA, states: "This innovative project with the Adler Group is a major breakthrough for TenCate, as it is the first OEM project of this size in the automotive industry and is seen as a high profile application".

Mr. Paolo Scudieri, President of the Adler Group, comments: "We are proud of this partnership with TenCate and are sure that this agreement will lead to important technological developments as well as efficiencies in logistics, both of which will make the product even more competitive".

The support provided by TenCate to Adler has continued beyond the development phase of the project, with sales of Alfa Romeo forecast to reach up to three thousand cars per year.

The two parties have agreed that an investment will be made to enable local production of the composite material, in order to optimise the logistic process and comply with "just in time" requirements needed for this important Alfa Romeo automotive programme. In addition, TenCate and Adler will work jointly on innovations for new automotive-related projects.