Gurit’s wind energy division reports strong net sales of CHF 62.2 million for Q1 2012 (Q1 2011: CHF 43.9 million). This represents sales growth of 42% despite a very challenging market environment in China.
Higher demand for glass fibre prepreg in Europe, where all key customer operations run more steadily compared with the start of 2011, and major carbon fibre prepreg shipments to the Americas more than offset the significant contraction experienced in the core material demand in China. Gurit expects the Chinese market to gradually recover during 2012 and 2013. The market in the Americas is presumed to remain strong up to the fourth quarter 2012. The ongoing uncertainty regarding the financial support for Wind Energy in the US, will likely lead to a market contraction in 2013.
Higher demand for glass fibre prepreg in Europe, where all key customer operations run more steadily compared with the start of 2011, and major carbon fibre prepreg shipments to the Americas more than offset the significant contraction experienced in the core material demand in China. Gurit expects the Chinese market to gradually recover during 2012 and 2013. The market in the Americas is presumed to remain strong up to the fourth quarter 2012. The ongoing uncertainty regarding the financial support for Wind Energy in the US, will likely lead to a market contraction in 2013.
