Composites survey shows shift in growth drivers
Composites
European composites market shows growth
Attending the event at the Düsseldorf Exhibition Centre last week were 419 exhibitors from 27 nations and 10,186 visitors.
16th October 2014
Innovation in Textiles
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Düsseldorf
This year the European composites market is growing by 2% in the largest segment, glass-reinforced plastic (GRP), exceeding the expectations, the latest market report shows.
The report was presented by the industry association AVK at the start of Composites Europe in Düsseldorf.
According to the report, steady above-average growth in markets such as Germany, the UK, Ireland and the Eastern European states contributes to the sector’s positive outlook. Playing a key role in this area is strong demand from the main customers: the transport and construction sectors.
New momentum
“The automotive industry in particular has been generating new momentum with positive spill over on composites manufacturers and suppliers. Thermoplastic materials benefit more than other areas from new applications and current European market dynamics”, said AVK Managing Director Dr Elmar Witten.
This sustained upward trend was also reflected at this year’s Composites Europe, which set new records thanks to significantly higher numbers of visitors (+25%) and exhibitors (+7%).
Composites manufacturing
Attending the event at the Düsseldorf Exhibition Centre last week were 419 exhibitors from 27 nations and 10,186 visitors.
Leading composites manufacturers and processors, equipment manufacturers and research institutes showcased their goods and services at the ninth edition of the event.
The focus of the trade fair, lecture programme and concurrent AVK Conference was on optimising processes that enable high-volume composites manufacturing processes.
Mechanical engineering
“The prospects for mechanical engineering in the area of composites are very good. At Composites Europe, one can see the critical role mechanical engineering plays in automation and what our industry can contribute”, said Dr Walter Begemann from the VDMA Forum Composite Technology. “The trade fair and its exhibitors provide critical guidance to the sector”, adds Begemann.
“Above all, the exchange between industry and science is becoming more and more important”, commented Michael Köhler, the Event Director of Composites Europe. The trade fair highlighted a range of original ideas at the new Industry meets Science special area.
Transport and construction sectors
“I’m certain the development at BMW opened the door for the boom in the composites sector”, said Erich Fries, the Director of KraussMaffei’s Composites Unit.
This development will also benefit the CFRP market, whose growth rate will stabilise around 10% over the next few years, according to the latest market report issued by the industry cluster Carbon Composites (CCeV). This outcome is possible thanks to steadily increasing demand from sectors such as aeronautics, wind energy, and sports and leisure.
Composites Germany Conference 2015 in Stuttgart
The trade association Composites Germany seeks to enhance the sector’s international character. Starting in 2015, the group will launch a new supplement to Composites Europe, a new international conference.
An announcement was made in Düsseldorf by AVK, Carbon Composites (CCeV), CFK Valley Stade (CFK-Valley) and the VDMA Forum Composite Technology. The Composites Germany Conference will replace the AVK Conference, which has served as Composites Europe’s kick-off event for nine years.
“Germany is the cross-sectoral leader among providers of composites materials for lightweight construction”, said Dr Michael Effing, Chairman of the Board of Composites Germany. “Under no circumstances do we want to give up this status.”
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