Al ain: The Strata Syensqo Advanced Material (SSAM), a joint venture between Strata Manufacturing and Belgian company Syensqo, is making headlines at the Dubai Airshow 2025. The company is showcasing its advanced composite rolls, which are manufactured at its Al Ain facility, within the Mubadala pavilion. These rolls are pivotal in the production of key aircraft structure components.

According to Emirates News Agency, Khaled Al Nuaimi, the Engineering and Maintenance Lead at SSAM, announced that the company’s plant is not only the fourth of its kind worldwide but also the first in the Middle East. The advanced composite rolls produced here are integral to the construction of major components for the Boeing 777-9 aircraft. With an impressive annual production capacity of 900,000 pounds, SSAM has already manufactured approximately 25,000 pounds, aiming for export in the first half of 2026.

Al Nuaimi elaborated on the production process, detailing the specifics of each composite roll, which measures 610 millimetres in length and weighs about 50 kilogrammes. Production is carried out in four main stages, starting with the mixing of resin, which is stored at -18°C. This resin is then applied to paper layers extending over 5,000 metres.

The third stage involves the integration of carbon fibre tows, each 3 millimetres wide and 4,800 metres long, containing 24,000 filaments. These are placed between two resin-coated paper layers before being subjected to heat and pressure to form a semi-final material. The final stage is slitting, where the material is precision-cut to meet customer specifications, readying it for use in advanced aircraft structure production.

The participation of national companies like SSAM at the Dubai Airshow underscores the advancement of the UAE’s capabilities in the production of advanced materials and aircraft structures. This progress is bolstered by international collaborations that enhance global supply chains and elevate the production potential of local industries.