Michelman, a global leader in advanced materials, has partnered with FibreCoat, a high-performance materials company based in Aachen, Germany, to support the launch of FibreCoat’s AluCoat, a revolutionary aluminum-coated basalt fiber. Designed to meet the demand for lightweight, conductive materials, AluCoat is ideal for applications such as electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radio-frequency interference (RFI) shielding, as well as thermal management in electric vehicles, consumer electronics, and energy storage.

Michelman’s Hydrosize fiber sizing technology plays a pivotal role in enhancing the performance and processability of AluCoat for composite manufacturing. FibreCoat’s patented aluminum-coating process partially or fully coats basalt fibers, combining the mechanical strength of basalt with the conductivity of aluminum. Michelman’s Hydrosize® ensures stable fiber bundles, reduces fuzz, enhances weavability, and improves compatibility with resin systems while balancing the interactions between aluminum and basalt surfaces.

“We are proud to support FibreCoat in bringing this innovative technology to market,” said Steve Bassetti, Michelman’s Director of Global Marketing, Fibers and Composites. “Their aluminum-coated basalt fiber meets the growing need for lightweight and conductive materials for EMI shielding and thermal management. This collaboration highlights Michelman’s role in advancing fiber technology with forward-thinking partners like FibreCoat.”

“Michelman has been a trusted partner throughout our development journey,” said Dr. Alexander Lüking, Co-Founder at FibreCoat. “Their Hydrosize® technology helped us address challenges such as PFAS-free solutions, smooth unwinding to prevent fiber sticking, and minimizing fuzz during processing. This collaboration was instrumental in refining our fiber technology for advanced composite applications.”