Innovation networks, automation and recyclability – these are the three main pillars of next year’s “JEC Europe: Composites Show & Conferences”, held from 27-29 March 2012 in Paris / France. With close to 30,000 visitors flocking to last year’s event – see also Plasteurope.com of 12.04.2011 – fair organisers JEC (Paris / France; www.jeccomposites.com) expect the 2012 event to break the 30,000 mark, forecasting that more than 1,150 exhibitors will showcase their products on nearly 50,000 m² – that is four times larger than any other composite tradeshow in the world.

The UK will be the country of honour at next year’s event, thanks to its innovative composite industry, one of the key pillars highlighted at the event. In fact, innovation will be the red thread running through JEC 2012, as JEC group president and CEO Frédérique Mutel points out: “The worth of the global composite market went from EUR 38 bn in 2000 to EUR 72 bn in 2011. At an average 6% per year increase, our market will be worth EUR 91 bn by 2015.” Today already, 550,000 people base their livelihoods on this particular industry.

That growth, Mutel explained, is largely driven by innovation as the composite industry has succeeded in raising its capacities in markets where composites are already well established, including the marine or construction sectors, for example. In other sectors, including aircraft construction, the creation of specialised clusters has accelerated the penetration of composites, whereas transnational value chains have fundamentally changed processes and materials in the automotive field. In short, JEC says that “the steady growth of the composite market is grounded in the innovatory force of its players and customers.”

Another key pillar for JEC 2012 will be automation, including equipment, software as well as integrated manufacturing. Pointing the way toward the future are North America and Europe, JEC says. In the latter case, in fact, automation rates now stand at 83%. By comparison, at 70% automation, Asia still has some catching up to do. According to JEC, the event – which represents 96 countries, with 70% foreign visitors – will be attended by all leading global equipment, robot and carbon-fibre-placement head manufacturers.

Among the key characteristics that attract users to composites, Mutel lists their low weight, strength, thermal insulation, corrosion resistance, acoustic insulation, fire protection, design flexibility, textural possibilities, surface quality and – last but not least – their recyclability. JEC points out the key role played by France, a leading manufacturer of thermoplastic composites and plant-fibre reinforced parts. In fact, Mutel says that the country’s Normandy region is the world’s leading producer of long high-end flax fibres. Echoing sentiments expressed earlier this month by Alexandre Dangis, head of the European Plastics Converters Association (EuPC, Brussels / Belgium; www.plasticsconverters.eu), Mutel said Europe continued to drive innovation in environmental matters especially – see also Plasteurope.com of 13.12.2011.

Aside from these three main pillars, JEC Composites visitors and exhibitors will also have the chance to attend the International Composites Summit, which showcases new trends in composites applications from an economic, technical and technological perspective. Other events on the show’s sidelines include the JEC Innovation Awards (for last year’s winners, see Plasteurope.com of 11.03.2011 218820), the Composites Scientific Network to foster exchange between academia and industry, a range of business meetings with key players, as well as a special Job Center.

Aside from the Paris event, JEC also organises “JEC Asia”, to be held in Singapore from 26-28 June 2012, as well as “JEC Americas”, held in Boston / USA from 7-9 November 2012.

For more information and to register, contact Nicolas Cambon, Tel: + 33 158361579, E-Mail: cambon@jeccomposites.com

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