The more the demand of composites grows, the more JEC World grows

JEC World 2019 closed successfully on March 14, after three intense days of innovation, networking and knowledge sharing. "With more than 112 participating countries and 27 national pavilions, JEC World - the place where the world of Composites meets - gathered the key players of the industry and their representatives, as illustrated by the premiere meeting of the global and European industry associations. On top of that, the show highlighted the dynamic ecosystems of composite materials in France, Turkey as well as in the Netherlands, thanks to the special visit in Paris and an active participation of their companies, officials and government bodies”, Adeline Larroque, Show director JEC World explained.

JEC World organizers created special tracks, displays and conference programs dedicated to the specific audience of aerospace, automotive and construction sectors, for everyone to better understand the benefits offered by composites in these applications. Major deals and strategic partnerships have also been on the agenda at JEC World, such as the following announcements: Solvay and Airborne signed a Memorandum of Understanding; SGL Carbon and Onur are to cooperate on aeroengine insulation; Coriolis and Cevotec joined the Fiber Placement Center (FPC); Hexcel and Arkema will open a joint research and development laboratory in France, and Hexcel and Lavoisier Composites will form an alliance to up-cycle composite by-products from the aerospace manufacturing cycle; Faurecia and Michelin are to create a global leader in hydrogen mobility.

Inspiring speakers brought the JEC Group global innovation programs to a new dimension:

- inaugurating the JEC Startup Booster event - the largest startup competition in the world of composites - Enrico Palermo, CEO of the TSC, currently developing the spaceship for the Virgin Galactic space flight program, presented the next generation of reusable space vehicles, and their impact on costs, safety and the environment during the launch into space;

- opening the ceremony of the JEC Innovation Awards, the most sought-after recognition in the composites industry, Bertrand Piccard, Initiator & Chairman of the Solar Impulse Foundation, who achieved the Solar Impulse famous flight around the world without any drop of fuel, captivated the audience with a strong and motivating call to action to protect the environment;

- Hemant Bheda, Co-founder of one of the most successful companies in 3D Printing, Arevo, introduced the JEC Composites Challenge ceremony, with a conference on additive manufacturing, in line with the increasing showcase of 3D printing technologies;

- Carlo Ratti, Architect and Director of MIT Senseable City Lab & Founding Partner stressed how architecture can be enriched through advanced & composites materials and Internet-of-Things technologies, as part of the JEC Construction Composites program.