Quickstep, the manufacturer of high-grade carbon-fibre composite components, has announced the first commercial sale of its patented Quickstep Process system.

Quickstep has secured a EUR4.2 million ($A6 million) contract to provide a leading aircraft composites manufacturer, ORPE Technologiya, with its Quickstep Process to manufacture large carbon-fibre composite components.

The Quickstep Process involves surrounding raw carbon-fibre with heated liquids, which transfer heat 25 times faster than traditional autoclave (or ‘oven-heated’) methods, enabling composite components to be cured more efficiently and at a fraction of the cost.

The Quickstep Process will be used to produce large carbon-fibre shielding for satellites during launches, opening up the aerospace navigation, telecommunications and weather satellite markets for Quickstep’s technology.

The contract will be delivered over 18 months and will involve all parts of Quickstep’s global organisation.

Quickstep managing director Philippe Odouard said: “Carbon-fibre composites weigh much less than metal, which provides a big advantage in terms of fuel efficiency. The value of the Quickstep Process is that it is cost efficient, suited to mass production and can mould carbon fibre into exact shapes for specialist use.

“This is a prestigious contract which reflects Quickstep’s growing reputation in the aerospace sector, which requires the highest possible standards. Our aerospace experience places us in a strong position for future sales.”

ORPE Technologiya, based in Russia, supplies businesses in 20 countries including Germany, France, Switzerland, Italy, Great Britain, India, China and South Korea, including Airbus, Boeing, Siemens and EADS.

Quickstep is an approved supplier for the international F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program – the largest military aerospace program in the world, valued at in excess of US$300 billion worldwide.