Glass and carbon fibre reinforced plastics are in demand when lightweight and forward-looking solutions are called for. This trend towards lightweight construction is currently one of the strongest drivers for the composites industry. Just as strong are the impulses generated by the composites sector itself: the major technological advances in the manufacturing and processing chain enables this sector of industry to increasingly automate and shorten manufacturing processes.

Both developments dominated this year’s edition of Composites Europe, held for the 13th time with 365 exhibitors from 30 nations. Event organiser Reed Exhibitions registered 8,148 visitors from 71 countries (2017: 63). The Composites Europe trade fair held in Stuttgart in an even year for the first time, followed on from the previous year’s results (8,342). Nearly the entire automotive industry – from Audi, BMW, Bugatti, Daimler through Ford, Honda and Mitsubishi to Opel, Porsche, Toyota, and Volkswagen – was represented here.

The outlook is good

“The outlook for the composites industry as a whole is good, the potential is enormous,” says Dr. Elmar Witten, General Manager of AVK - Industrievereinigung Verstärkte Kunststoffe. The automotive sector, which is the most important market for selling fibre reinforced plastics in Europe today, is currently undergoing a fundamental change. In addition to higher requirements made on exhaust gas and emission values new drive concepts such as e-mobility are contributing to a restructuring of the sector and opening up new perspectives.

Foam Expo Europe

Starting in 2019, Foam Expo Europe will be held in parallel with Composites Europe for the first time. Foam Expo Europe, which celebrated its premiere this year, presents the entire foam supply chain and is the marketplace for manufacturers and buyers of industrial foams, foam products and services. The exhibition will focus on moulded, rigid and flexible foam solutions, including raw materials, chemicals, equipment and machinery.

International Composites Congress (ICC) with a new concept

From 2019, the International Composites Congress (ICC) will also feature a new concept. The ICC, which had traditionally been the opening event of Composites Europe, will in future be organised jointly by Reed Exhibitions and the Composites Germany trade association. As a result of this, there will be an integrative overall concept that will bring the trade fair and congress closer together.

The forthcoming Composites Europe in Stuttgart will be held from 10 to 12 September 2019.