Lancashire-based hot tub importer and distributor Spa Crest Europe Ltd has announced what it says is an industry first with the inclusion of carbon fibre in the construction of its spa shells from Spa Crest Manufacturing.

Used widely in aerospace, luxury yachts and Formula 1 cars, carbon fibre offers the joint properties of extremely light weight coupled with immense strength. These qualities make it ideal for incorporating in a spa shell, particular at key stress points created by the acrylic vacuum-moulding process.

Spa Crest says that the way in which spa shells have been reinforced in the past in an effort to increase structural strength involved either making the fibre-glass backing thicker or incorporating materials such as ABS or angled steel profiles – both of which dramatically increase weight and put extra strain on the shell and the supporting framework. Incorporating carbon fibre gives greater structural integrity without increasing the weight of the shell.

Carbon fibre will be incorporated as standard on all 2013 model year Spa Crest, Coastal, Vision and Brand2Go spa shells.

Managing director of Spa Crest Europe Tony Welsby said: “Using carbon fibre to reinforce the shell at specific points of stress, combined with Microban impregnated acrylic from Lucite, gives an already rock-solid shell an extra dimension which we hope will demonstrate to consumers our commitment to quality and value, and instil even greater confidence in our product.”