DUBLIN, Ohio -- Renewable wind-energy technology is rapidly expanding, and Ashland Performance Materials, a commercial unit of Ashland Inc., continues its progress in bringing advanced composite and adhesive materials to this industry.

As an active participant with a number of universities in wind-energy research projects, Ashland will showcase its innovative technologies at the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) Wind Power 2011 Conference and Exposition, in Anaheim, Calif.

"Ashlands early focus on the wind-energy industry has positioned us for great partnerships and growth as use of this technology expands," said Kevin Lambrych, global wind-energy program manager, Performance Materials. "One of our products, Derakane 601-200 epoxy vinyl ester resin, can improve cycle times by 25 percent in infusion blade manufacturing processes, as compared with epoxy resin systems."

In addition to Derakane resin, Ashlands Pliogrip structural adhesives will be featured at the exposition. Pliogrip adhesives deliver superior bonding performance and are becoming an essential part of nacelle construction. A longtime choice for bonding automobile composite body assemblies and specialty components, Pliogrip structural adhesives can bind a number of materials including fiberglass reinforced plastic, carbon-fiber reinforced plastic, thermoplastic olefins, steel and aluminum.

Another innovation featured at the exposition will be Ashlands Envirez resins, formulated to contain up to 22 percent renewable content from soybean oil and corn derived ethanol. Envirez resins are designed to provide users with a reliable, environmentally responsible choice when compared with traditional resin technology. Envirez resins meet or fall well within performance guidelines for use in wind energy construction.

Source: Ashland Performance Materials