JEC Composites (Paris / France; www.jeccomposites.com) has launched a new programme to support start-up companies in the composites industry, a market it expects to be worth USD 90m (EUR 85m) by 2020. Ten companies have been selected from the many entries to JEC’s “Startup Booster” programme and they will present their innovations on 14 March, during "JEC World 2017". The composites trade fair will take place from 14-16 March at the Paris Nord Villepinte Exhibition Centre.

Anne-Manuèle Hébert, director of JEC World and JEC Group’s shows in Europe, said it is the only programme that offers the opportunity to create links between start-ups and major industry players. As part of this year’s event, JEC will also unveil the 13 winners of its Innovation Awards, given to the best composite breakthroughs based on technical interest, market potential, partnerships, financial & environmental impact and originality.

Meanwhile, JEC is launching a new event in the US for the building and underground engineering sector, the third-largest growing market for the country’s composites industry. "The Future of Composites in Construction" will take place on 21 June 2017 at the McCormick Convention Centre in Chicago, Illinois. Associate professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s (MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts / USA; www.mit.edu) Mark Goulthorpe will be the guest keynote speaker.