UK headquartered Formax, a leading manufacturer of carbon fibre and speciality reinforcements has been awarded the distinguished DNV materials qualification for its entire range of carbon multiaxial fabrics.

Det Norske Veritas (DNV) is one of the world’s leading certification bodies and offers some of the most sophisticated materials technology and testing services available. With extensive expertise in laboratory testing, theoretical knowledge of materials, failure modes and mechanisms, a DNV accreditation is said to provide customers with a high level of confidence that approved materials will deliver outstanding strength and exceptional performance.

Formax says the qualification will be of particular interest to its global marine customers involved in the production of larger vessels where consistently reliable materials are pivotal to any project’s success.

Formax manufactures a comprehensive range of multiaxial carbon fabrics for use predominantly in the marine, automotive, aerospace and industrial markets. Unidirectionals, +/- 30 Biaxials, +/- 45 Biaxials, 0/90 Biaxials, Triaxials, and Quadaxials are available in a wide range of fibre types from 3K to 50K in both pan and pitch fibres.

Stiftelsen Det Norske Veritas (DNV) is a classification society organized as a foundation, with the objective of ‘Safeguarding life, property, and the environment’. The organization's history goes back to 1864, when the foundation was established in Norway to inspect and evaluate the technical condition of Norwegian merchant vessels.

DNV describes itself as a provider of services for managing risk. Together with Lloyd's Register and American Bureau of Shipping, DNV is one of the three major companies in the classification society business.

DNV has its headquarters in Høvik, Bærum, just outside Oslo, Norway. It has 300 offices in 100 countries, and over 10,000 employees. Important industries where the company operates include ship transport, energy (including wind and solar), aviation, automotive, finance, food, health care and information technology. It also conducts research in several fields where it operates.

DNV was retained by the United States to investigate the cause of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.