CQFD COMPOSITES
The Collaboration
CQFD Composites, based in Mulhouse, is a company specialized in recyclable thermoplastic pultrusion — a continuous manufacturing process used to produce long and highly durable composite profiles, such as rods or industrial structural parts.
Fibers are impregnated with resin and then pulled through a heated die to give them their final shape.
Their mission: design high-performance and recyclable products using PA6 (polyamide 6) and other advanced polymers.
Since its creation, CQFD Composites has stood out for its technological innovation and its commitment to more sustainable materials.
CQFD Composites' Need
As part of the development of a first automated pultrusion production line, CQFD Composites designs and manufactures its own machines.
One of the components of these machines — a plastic cover for a molten material injection system — was improperly machined, resulting in the part being produced in white instead of black.
Rather than restarting a complete manufacturing process, the team sought an effective recoloring solution that would not affect the mechanical properties nor the dimensional tolerances of the part.
“We were very pleasantly surprised. We didn’t know that plastic parts could be dyed in this way.”
Antonin HORODYNSKI, R&D Technician – CQFD Composites
The TCN Solution
CQFD Composites turned to TCN, specialist in polymer dyeing, to recolor the parts in black.
Our GTC 9093 AM dye proved to be the most suitable solution.
Key advantages of the TCN process:
- No added thickness: dimensions remain unchanged — essential for precise assemblies
- Thermal resistance: the dyed parts withstand 100°C over long periods (tested at 120°C for 2 hours — no degradation observed)
- No surface preparation required: the dye penetrates the material — no sanding or painting needed
« No added thickness — absolutely essential for us. A layer of paint would have ruined everything.»
Antonin HORODYNSKI, R&D Technician – CQFD Composites
Benefits
This first collaboration enabled CQFD Composites to:
- Quickly recover parts ready for use with no rework,
- Discover a technology compatible with future PA6 products,
- Explore the possibility of integrating dyeing into their production process.
« Since you successfully dyed PA6, we may be able to color our products directly at the end of the line in the future. »
Antonin HORODYNSKI, R&D Technician – CQFD Composites
The team also highlighted the simplicity of the process and TCN’s responsiveness in both technical support and delivery times.
TCN Support
TCN’s expertise was demonstrated through:
- Tailored technical recommendations adapted to the material
- Fast and reliable communication with a dedicated contact
- Deep knowledge of polymer–dye compatibility
« Flexible and highly responsive. It’s great to work with experts who understand our needs and adapt quickly. »
Antonin HORODYNSKI, R&D Technician – CQFD Composites
What’s Next?
Beyond this first success, CQFD Composites is considering extending dyeing applications to its thermoplastic composites to:
- Offer distinctive aesthetic options
- Maintain complete recyclability of materials
« On our solar frame structures for example, we already tested PA6 dyeing. We can now clearly see how to go further with TCN. »
Antonin HORODYNSKI, Technicien R&D