SGL Group has recorded high levels of attendance with many interested visitors from the automotive, aerospace, and wind energy sectors, including a majority of international guests, at the JEC World, which took place from 8-10 March in Paris.

The largest international composites trade show demonstrated the current progress and great potential of lightweight design solutions based on composites were impressively.

The show also broke several records. According to the organizers, a total of 1,300 exhibitors showcased their developments in two halls over an area covering 62 000 m² and for the first time attracted some 37,000 visitors from more than 100 countries.

Successful showcase

“This year’s JEC World was one of the most successful trade shows in recent years for us. We held substantive discussions with many large automotive and aerospace manufacturers,” commented Andreas Wüllner, head of SGL Group’s Composites – Fibers and Materials business unit.

“Our talks focused not only on material properties but increasingly also on concepts for the use of composites and their integration into existing production processes.”

SGL Group has responded to this wide interest in composites and their targeted application by bundling its composites activities in the newly created Composites – Fibers and Materials Business Unit and building its own Lightweight Design and Applications Center.

Show’s highlights

On a large open-plan booth covering a total area of 159 m², SGL Group exhibited a variety of innovative fibre materials and composite solutions. These included material innovations such as towpregs based on 50k continuous carbon fibre tow and thermoplastic composites based on glass fibres.

SGL Group also premiered its Carbon Core body for the new BMW 7 series model, which proved to be one of the show’s highlights.

On the fringe of the show, SGL Group also participated in a series of technical presentations, providing insights into material trends that support the increasingly automated production of composites for large-scale manufacture. The company was also among 29 recipients of the JEC Innovation Award.

Lightweight and Application Center

Meanwhile, phased construction of SGL Group‘s Lightweight and Application Center (LAC) is underway at the Meitingen site near Augsburg.

In 2016, specialized plant and machinery will be installed and expert teams set up for digital simulations so that the LAC can start its activities during the course of the year. Through the new Center, SGL Group will help its customers optimize the use of fibres and materials for composites. In future, the LAC will be involved in the development of processes and products, as well as prototype and small-lot production.

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