Good future prospects for the composites industry with strong growth opportunities in the carbon fibre (CFP) and glass-fibre reinforced plastics (GFRP) segments: the recent market survey which was also the first to be jointly conducted by the German composites organisations and associations AVK, Carbon Composites, VDMA Forum Composite Technology and CFK Valley paints a positive picture of the industry. This optimism is also reflected at this year's Composites Europe which will turn the Stuttgart Exhibition Centre into the meeting place for the international composites industry and its application sectors from 17 to 19 September. With more than 400 exhibitors from 28 countries the trade fair registers a new record in exhibition surface at its eighth edition. The list of exhibitors ranges from the leading suppliers and processors of composite materials to mechanical engineering companies and research institutes through to the large industry networks. Among them are: key industry players like BASF, Evonik, SGL, Lange + Ritter, Rampf Tooling, Toray, Saertex, Gaugler & Lutz, Johns Manville KraussMaffei or Schuler SMG. Networks like the European industry association EuCIA, the VDMA Forum Composite Technology or Carbon Composites are also present and will bring many member companies to Stuttgart.
A large number of renowned first-time exhibitors have also registered for participation in Composites Europe 2013, including Dow Europe, Broetje-Automation, Chromaflo Technologies or CCP Composites from France. The well-booked national pavilions such as the Italian, American, Chinese, French and Dutch joint stands also demonstrate the importance Composites Europe has meanwhile achieved for the international composites industry.
Especially the key technologies for the composites applications markets such as the automotive, aviation, wind energy and building sectors are coming into focus at the trade fair. This is also apparent in the international lecture programme and the live demonstrations which complement the exhibition sector of Composites Europe.
Composites Forum
Most of the Composites Forum will again be organised and hosted by the VDMA Forum Composite Technology and the Institute of Plastics Processing (IKV) at RWTH Aachen University this year. The lectures focus on basics, trends and innovations from the different materials and application fields.At the Forum, member companies of the VDMA - the German Engineering Federation -such as mechanical engineering companies Stäubli, KraussMaffei and Siempelkamp will give presentations on high-pressure RTM processes for large volume production of CFK car body components, machines for 3D hybrid mesh tools solutions, the construction of composite presses or the recycling of composites. On the part of RWTH Aachen University, as many as five departments present the current state of research at the trade fair. In addition to the serial production of components in the automotive industry, the subjects of 3D spray lay-up for large series or laser-based cutting and joining technologies also feature on the programme. Other exhibitors to contribute presentations on composites production to the Forum are Cadfem, Cannon, CCP Composites or the American industry association ACMA.
