Hexcel is expanding US production of its HexPly M901, a fast-curing epoxy prepreg system developed to combine structural performance with high-rate manufacturing. Production will begin at the company’s Salt Lake City, Utah facility, complementing existing manufacturing capabilities in Europe.
One of the material’s most significant features is its ability to achieve cure cycles as short as 4-5 minutes, potentially reducing manufacturing times compared with conventional prepreg processing. The system can achieve a glass transition temperature (Tg) of up to 180°C, depending on cure and post-cure conditions.
HexPly M901 has been designed to provide significant processing flexibility. It can be used in autoclave, press moulding and hot-in/hot-out processes, as well as compression moulding, allowing the material to support different manufacturing configurations and levels of automation. The prepreg also offers up to 15 weeks of out-life at room temperature, helping simplify material handling on the production floor.
The system targets structural composite components for applications requiring higher production rates. Markets identified by Hexcel include UAVs and defence systems, automotive applications, medical devices and industrial components.
The expansion of M901 production in the United States reflects growing demand for composite materials capable of combining mechanical performance with shorter cycle times. This is becoming increasingly important as manufacturers seek to move composites beyond traditionally low-volume production towards more industrialised and automated manufacturing processes.
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22 September 2026
