COMPOSITES LOUNGE - Das Online Experten Netzwerk

🌍 Building the Bridge: Europe, Türkiye and the Caspian OpportunityWhat happens when emerging markets, industrial know-how, business development and innovation ecosystems begin to converge?In the latest edition of Hashtag#Composites360onTour, Composites Lounge follows a journey from Istanbul, Türkiye to Baku, Azerbaijan to explore the growing importance of the Europe-Türkiye-Caspian corridor for the composites and advanced materials industry. The newsletter features insights from an interview with Tevfik Denemeç, Sales Director of Artkim Group, discussing how Türkiye's position between Europe and Asia and Azerbaijan's ambitions for industrial diversification are creating new opportunities for international collaboration and business growth. Readers can expect perspectives on:✅ Why Türkiye continues to serve as a strategic bridge between markets✅ Azerbaijan's development beyond oil and gas✅ The role of business development in creating new industrial connections✅ How exhibitions are evolving into broader industry ecosystems✅ Why knowledge transfer and innovation must move across borders✅ The vision behind TURKCHEM EXPO 2026, Turkchem Expo Azerbaycan 2027 and Eurasian Composites Show | Uluslararası Kompozit Sanayi Fuarı 2027The article also highlights an increasingly important topic: the intersection of industry, innovation and destination marketing.As regions compete for investment, talent and visibility, destinations themselves are becoming part of the industrial ecosystem. Places such as Istanbul and Baku are not merely locations for meetings and exhibitions. They are becoming platforms where business, technology, culture and partnerships come together.The newsletter further explores why future growth in the composites sector will depend not only on materials and manufacturing capabilities, but also on the ability to connect innovators, researchers, manufacturers, investors and communities across regions.At Composites Lounge, this mission remains at the core of everything we do:🔹 Innovation🔹 Technology🔹 SustainabilityBecause the future of composites will not be built within borders.It will be built across ecosystems.Hashtag#Composites360onTour Hashtag#CompositesLounge Hashtag#Composites Hashtag#Innovation Hashtag#Technology Hashtag#Sustainability Hashtag#BusinessDevelopment Hashtag#AdvancedMaterials Hashtag#Türkiye Hashtag#Azerbaijan Hashtag#CaspianRegion Hashtag#Eurasia Hashtag#Manufacturing Hashtag#IndustrialInnovation Hashtag#Networking Hashtag#CreatingSustainableValuesYouTube Episode: https://youtu.be/QtcgZK2Mpqs

Azerbaijan Is Open for Business: Inside a Nation's Drive to Attract Global Manufacturing InvestmentFor many international executives, Azerbaijan still enters the conversation primarily through the lens of oil and gas.After spending the past week on the ground, visiting industrial sites, speaking with business leaders, and meeting representatives from government and free economic zones, a different story emerges.Azerbaijan is actively positioning itself as one of the most ambitious economic diversification projects between Europe and Asia.The country's leadership is increasingly focused on developing manufacturing, logistics, technology, tourism, renewable energy, and export-oriented industries as part of a broader strategy to reduce dependence on hydrocarbons and attract international investment. Recent investment and economic development initiatives continue to emphasize the growth of the non-oil economy, industrial infrastructure, and export-driven business models. [azernews.az]What makes Azerbaijan particularly interesting is its geography.Situated at the crossroads of Europe, Central Asia, Türkiye, the Caspian region, the Middle East, and China, the country occupies a strategic position along major East-West and North-South transport corridors. This location is increasingly being leveraged to strengthen Azerbaijan's role as a regional logistics and manufacturing hub. One of the most visible examples of this ambition is the Alat Free Economic Zone Authority (AFEZ).During an exclusive interview with Valeh Alasgarov, Chairman of the Board of the Alat Free Economic Zone Authority, the vision became clear: create a business environment where logistics, legislation, infrastructure, and incentives work together to attract high value-added, export-oriented manufacturers. Located adjacent to the Baku International Sea Trade Port, AFEZ offers access to maritime, railway, and highway networks. Future plans also include a dedicated cargo airport inside the free zone, designed to support both industrial cargo operations and business aviation. According to the Authority, investor services are centralized through a streamlined administrative process, industrial plots are delivered with ready-to-use infrastructure, and companies benefit from incentives including zero corporate tax and zero customs duties within the zone. From industrial parks and logistics infrastructure to tourism development and international exhibition activity, Azerbaijan is investing heavily in creating the conditions necessary for long-term economic growth. The strategy is increasingly centered around attracting foreign direct investment, supporting private-sector development, and building globally competitive industries. [azernews.az]As part of our Hashtag#Composites360onTour coverage, we will continue showcasing the people, projects, industrial clusters, and investment opportunities shaping Azerbaijan's next chapter.YouTube Episode: https://youtu.be/Vco6JbYk2A8

Wie entstehen Innovationen im Maschinenbau? Warum sind Prepreg-Anlagen weit mehr als reine Mechanik? Und weshalb werden Retrofit, funktionale Sicherheit und Digitalisierung in den kommenden Jahren zu entscheidenden Wettbewerbsfaktoren?In dieser ausführlichen 22-minütigen Ausgabe von**#Composites360onTour** spricht Ilkay Özkisaoglu mit Alexander Houben (Geschäftsführer JHT GmbH) und Udo Thönnißen (Geschäftsführer NEO TEC SYSTEM – NST) über aktuelle Entwicklungen im Maschinen- und Anlagenbau, moderne Prepreg-Technologie sowie die zunehmende Bedeutung von Elektrotechnik, Regelungstechnik und Maschinenkonformität. [2026 07 14...2614138_AH | Word], [2026 07 12...14138_UdoT | Word]Das Gespräch entstand im Rahmen des M2N Converting Gipfels in Hamburg und liefert seltene Einblicke in die Praxis von Unternehmen, die seit über zwei Jahrzehnten gemeinsam komplexe Produktionsanlagen entwickeln und realisieren. [2026 07 14...2614138_AH | Word], [2026 07 12...14138_UdoT | Word] 🔹 Themen dieser Episode✅ Transformation Readiness im Mittelstand✅ KI und Digitalisierung im Maschinenbau✅ Innovation als Wachstumstreiber in wirtschaftlich herausfordernden Zeiten✅ Retrofit und Maschinenmodernisierung✅ Additive Fertigung und 3D-gedruckte Komponenten für industrielle Anwendungen✅ Elektrostatische Aufladung in Bahnprozessen✅ Ablad-Elektroden und Prozesssicherheit✅ Erweiterung des JHT-Standorts in Geilenkirchen✅ Zusammenarbeit zwischen JHT und NST seit über 20 Jahren✅ Neue Maschinenverordnung ab Januar 2027✅ Risikoanalyse und funktionale Sicherheit✅ Wesentliche vs. nicht wesentliche Änderungen an Maschinen✅ CE-Konformität und Herstellerverantwortung✅ Der "Tänzer" als zentrales Element der Bahnspannungsregelung✅ Elektrotechnik als Schlüsseltechnologie moderner Produktionslinien 🔹 Innovation, die aus der Praxis entstehtAlexander Houben erläutert, warum Innovation bei JHT sowohl durch Kundenanforderungen als auch durch kontinuierliche Verbesserungsprozesse vorangetrieben wird. Lessons Learned, Engineering-Kreativität und die konsequente Orientierung am Kundennutzen bilden die Grundlage für neue Maschinenkonzepte und Technologien. [2026 07 14...2614138_AH | Word]Besonders spannend sind die Einblicke in:• Prepreg- und Beschichtungsanlagen• Maschinenmodernisierung und Retrofit• Additive Fertigung• kundenspezifische Sondermaschinen• nachhaltige Effizienzsteigerung bestehender Anlagen 🔹 Warum Elektrotechnik heute erfolgskritisch istIm zweiten Teil erklärt Udo Thönnißen die Herausforderungen moderner Maschinensteuerungen.Dabei geht es längst nicht mehr nur um Motoren und Antriebe. Themen wie:• sichere Steuerungen• softwarebasierte Sicherheitsfunktionen• Gefährdungsanalysen• Risikobewertung• CE-Konformität• dokumentationspflichtige Sicherheitsnachweisewerden für Betreiber und Hersteller immer wichtiger. [2026 07 12...14138_UdoT | Word]Ein besonderer Schwerpunkt liegt auf der neuen Maschinenverordnung, die ab dem 20. Januar 2027 Anwendung findet und erhebliche Auswirkungen auf Umbauten und Modernisierungen bestehender Anlagen haben wird. [2026 07 12...14138_UdoT | Word] 🔹 Der Tänzer: Unscheinbar, aber essenziellFür viele Ingenieure aus der Composites-Industrie gehören Thermoset- und Thermoplast-Materialien zum Tagesgeschäft.Weniger bekannt ist häufig die Regelungstechnik hinter Bahnprozessen.Anhand des sogenannten Tänzers erklärt Udo Thönnißen anschaulich, wie Geschwindigkeitsdifferenzen zwischen Antriebsstationen kompensiert und konstante Bahnspannungen sichergestellt werden. [2026 07 12...14138_UdoT | Word]Ohne diese Regelung wären stabile Produktionsprozesse in Prepreg-, Converting- und Beschichtungsanlagen nicht möglich. [2026 07 12...14138_UdoT | Word] 🔹 Ausblick: Geilenkirchen 2026Im Herbst 2026 planen JHT und NST die Eröffnung ihrer erweiterten Standorte in Geilenkirchen. Vorgesehen sind ein Grand Opening, eine Hausmesse und Einblicke in zahlreiche Maschinen- und Anwendungsbereiche – von Converting über Medical bis hin zu Hochleistungsanwendungen. [2026 07 14...2614138_AH | Word], [2026 07 12...14138_UdoT | Word] 📍 Aufgenommen auf dem M2N Converting Gipfel 2026, Hamburg🎥 Serie: #Composites360onTour🤝 Mit:• Alexander Houben, Geschäftsführer JHT GmbH• Udo Thönnißen, Geschäftsführer NEO TEC SYSTEM (NST)📢 Abonniere den Kanal für weitere Interviews zu Composites, Converting, Leichtbau, Maschinenbau, Digitalisierung und industrieller Innovation.🌐🔗Visit Our Website:▶Website 1: https://www.dersocialceo.com▶Website 2: https://www.compositeslounge.com▶Website 3: https://www.imbeo.de▶Website 4: https://www.contentcreatorclub.de🌐🔗Follow Us: LinkedIn▶ / imbeo  ▶ / content-creator-club  ▶ / compositeslounge  ▶ / der-social-ceo  #️⃣🔥Hashtag:#Composites360OnTour #JECWorld #IlkayÖzkisaoglu #JECWorld #CompositeIndustryYouTube Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuZ5EQlcLFc

The composites industry does not lack innovation. What it often lacks is connection.Now Live: Composites Lounge Newsletter No. 34That is exactly why the latest edition of the Composites Lounge Newsletter focuses on one of the industry's most important community-driven initiatives: the International Composites Summit (ICS) and the growing ecosystem being built around it. ICS 2026 returns to The Drum Wembley, London, on 1–2 December 2026, continuing its mission to bring together innovators, manufacturers, OEMs, researchers, investors, and technology providers from across the global composites value chain. This issue explores why innovation and community building go hand in hand, revisits the success of ICS 2025.The newsletter also follows the journey of the expanding ICS Innovation Hub network, which now connects companies across some of the most important composites marketplaces worldwide:📍 JEC World — Paris, France (done in March 2026 already)📍 Next CAMX - The Composites and Advanced Materials Expo — Atlanta, USA 📍 Advanced Engineering UK — Birmingham, United Kingdom📍 International Composites Summit — Wembley, London, United KingdomTogether, these Innovation Hub stops are helping innovative companies gain visibility, accelerate networking, and build international business relationships without the complexity of traditional exhibiting models. 👏 A special appreciation goes to PRF Composite Materials, also a valued Composites Lounge Premium Member and the Exclusive Forum Headline Sponsor of ICS 2026. PRF has spent decades supporting technical excellence, innovation, skills development, knowledge sharing, and community building throughout the composites industry. Their commitment to collaboration, education, and industry progression makes them a natural partner for an event that is fundamentally built around bringing people together to exchange ideas and create opportunities. The latest newsletter is packed with:🎥 Video interviews🎙️ Podcast episodes📺 YouTube content🔗 Useful links and resources📖 Executive insights from industry leadersWhether you are an innovator, startup, researcher, OEM, supplier, investor, or simply passionate about the future of composites, this issue provides plenty of ideas, inspiration, and opportunities to get involved.Because at the end of the day, the most important sound at any composites event is not the machine.It is the conversation.And the ICS community is growing.👉 Read the latest Composites Lounge Newsletter now.👉 Interested in exhibiting, sponsoring, speaking, joining a panel, or booking an Innovation Hub pod? The conversation starts here.cc: Gemma Hardy, Katie Homes, Colin Leatham-LockeHannah Khusainova, Marcy OffnerYouTube Episode: https://youtu.be/JUGPP2M8sbc

What does it take to build and certify modern aircraft engines in Europe?How efficient are today's diesel aviation engines? And what role will Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and hydrogen play in the future of flight?In this exclusive #Composites360onTour and JET-Circle interview, Ilkay Özkisaoglu (Composites Lounge) and Norbert Werle (JET-Circle) visit Austro Engine in Wiener Neustadt, Austria, and speak with Managing Director Jürgen Schwarz about aviation propulsion, production, certification, sustainability, and future technologies.During the interview, Jürgen Schwarz provides insights into:✈️ Austro Engine's role within the Diamond Aircraft Group✈️ The company's inline four-cylinder Jet A-1 diesel engines and rotary engine technology✈️ Why Austro Engine relies on a European supply chain with suppliers in Austria, Germany and Italy✈️ Aviation certification processes and cooperation with EASA and Austrian authorities✈️ Modern diesel aircraft engines versus traditional AVGAS-powered engines✈️ Production capacity, engineering expertise and engine testing procedures✈️ The recently addressed piston replacement program and continuous airworthiness practices✈️ Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) adoption and current certification limits✈️ Hydrogen-powered aviation research projects with leading universities✈️ Why piston engines are expected to remain relevant for decades to come✈️ The manufacturing process behind approximately 900 aircraft engines per year at Austro Engine The conversation also includes an exclusive factory tour showing how Austro Engine assembles, tests and certifies its engines before shipment to customers worldwide, including Diamond Aircraft facilities in Austria, Canada and China.Featured Guests• Jürgen Schwarz, Managing Director, Austro Engine• Norbert Werle, Founder, JET-Circle• Ilkay Özkisaoglu, Co-Founder, Composites LoungeAbout Austro Engine: Austro Engine develops and manufactures certified aircraft engines for general aviation applications and is a key technology partner within the Diamond Aircraft ecosystem. 🔔 Subscribe for more aviation, composites, advanced manufacturing and sustainability interviews from industry leaders across Europe.Interview conducted by: Ilkay Özkisaoglu (Composites Lounge) and Norbert Werle (JET-Circle)Original interview recorded during the Composites Lounge and JET-Circle visit to Austro Engine in Wiener Neustadt, Austria. YouTube Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ro5IruEQJYI

Was passiert, wenn Vertreter von AVK, Composites United, The Original Composites Company (ehemals Owens Corning) und CG TEC ihre persönliche Einschätzung zur Zukunft der Composite-Industrie in Deutschland, Österreich und der Schweiz teilen – ungefiltert, offen und ohne PR-Floskeln?Genau dieses Gespräch haben wir auf der JEC World 2026 aufgezeichnet.🚨 LIVE ON TAPE PREMIERE 🚨Mit dabei:✅ Elmar Witten (AVK)✅ Thomas Heber (Composites United)✅ Jens Boelke (The Original Composites & Fiberglass Company (ehemals Owens Corning Composites)✅ Oliver Kipf (CG TEC GmbH I Carbonscout Onlineshop)Wir sprechen über die Themen, die aktuell die Branche bewegen:🔹 Warum sinken die Produktionszahlen in Europa, obwohl die Nachfrage nach Composites weltweit steigt?🔹 Welche Märkte entwickeln sich zu den nächsten Wachstumsfeldern – Infrastruktur, Bauwesen, Marine, Space oder Defence?🔹 Weshalb Spezialisierung und Innovation wichtiger werden als Preiswettbewerb.🔹 Welche Chancen sich durch Circular Economy, Recycling und biobasierte Materialien eröffnen.🔹 Warum viele Branchenexperten davon ausgehen, dass die größten Potenziale der nächsten Jahre außerhalb der klassischen Automotive-Welt liegen.Besonders spannend:Einige Aussagen dürften für Diskussionen sorgen. Die Runde spricht offen über geopolitische Entwicklungen, Infrastrukturprogramme, den Einfluss neuer Technologien und die Frage, welche Strategien Unternehmen verfolgen sollten, um in einem zunehmend globalen Wettbewerb erfolgreich zu bleiben.💡 Wenn Sie in der Composite-, Leichtbau-, Material-, Infrastruktur-, Mobilitäts- oder Innovationsszene aktiv sind, sollten Sie diese Diskussion nicht verpassen.YouTube Episode: https://www.youtube.com/live/cZyCwJ4-sHo?si=-d7PyI9FoYcDGqaf

🎙️ LinkedIn Live on Tape Premiere | Sales & Marketing in the Composites Industry: Are We Missing the Biggest Growth Opportunity?The composites industry is packed with innovation.But here's the uncomfortable question:👉 If composites are so powerful, why do so many decision-makers still not understand what we can do?Recorded live during JEC World 2026 at the JEC Studio Island / Composites Lounge Corner Booth, I hosted a candid panel discussion with four outstanding industry leaders:✅ Marcy Offner – Composites Business Leader & Industry Advocate & Founder of Women in Composites✅ Hannah Khusainova – Marketing Director, PRF✅ Melike Onay – Business Development Expert, Carbon Composites Sector✅ Katie Holmes – Marketing Director Fluency Business Group & International Composites SummitTogether, we tackled some hard truths:🔹 Is the composites industry too engineering-driven and not customer-driven enough?🔹 Why do sales and marketing teams often operate in separate worlds?🔹 Are we selling products instead of value?🔹 Why does our industry still struggle with visibility outside the composites bubble?🔹 Should marketers come from composites—or can great marketers learn to love composites?🔹 What role should associations, media, events, and industry leaders play in building a stronger collective brand?One statement from the discussion really stood out:💬 "We are invisible in the world."Another:💬 "You can't teach somebody how to be a marketer, but you can teach somebody how to love composites."This conversation goes far beyond marketing.It is about:✅ Growth✅ Talent attraction✅ Market expansion✅ Innovation adoption✅ Industry positioningIf you work in composites, advanced materials, lightweighting, manufacturing, engineering, business development, sales, communications, or innovation management, this discussion is for you.YouTube Episode: https://www.youtube.com/live/tQoWr0-H9L0?si=TuMjus89CBKQxNGe

The transition towards climate neutrality is accelerating, and wind energy stands at the heart of Europe’s sustainable future. Yet, as the sector scales, a critical challenge emerges: how do we ensure that the materials enabling clean energy are themselves circular?This is exactly where the EOLIAN project comes in.Funded under Horizon Europe, EOLIAN is pioneering a new generation of smart, sustainable wind turbine blades designed not only for performance, but for circularity across their entire life cycle.By combining bio-based, repairable and recyclable vitrimer composites with advanced structural health monitoring systems, EOLIAN is redefining how wind turbine blades are designed, used and ultimately reintegrated into the value chain.Unlike conventional blades, which are difficult to repair and recycle, EOLIAN introduces breakthrough innovations:• Self-healing materials enabling faster and more efficient repairs• Embedded sensors for real-time structural health monitoring• Bio-based vitrimer composites allowing reprocessing and recycling• Advanced design principles targeting longer lifetime and lower life cycle costsThe result is a transformative approach that aims to deliver:• longer service life• improved reliability• reduced operational costs• and significantly enhanced recyclabilityEOLIAN is not just a research project – it is a system innovation for circular wind energy infrastructure in Europe.To bring these innovations closer to industry adoption, the project is supported by EuCIA – the European Composites Industry Association.Headquartered in Brussels, EuCIA represents the entire European composites value chain, bringing together national associations, sector groups, and industry stakeholders. With a mission to support sustainable growth and competitiveness, EuCIA plays a pivotal role at the intersection of industry, policy, and innovation.Within EOLIAN, EuCIA leads dissemination and exploitation activities, ensuring that project results are translated into real-world industrial impact, stakeholder engagement, and future market uptake.Beyond individual projects, EUCIA is driving a much broader transformation through the European Circular Composites Alliance (ECCA).Launched in partnership with JEC, ECCA is a fast-growing European initiative uniting over 200 organisations across the composites value chain to enable a truly circular economy for composite materials. [eucia.eu]The Alliance focuses on:• increasing the use of recycled composites• developing standards for circular product design• improving collection, sorting and recycling systems• aligning industry action with European sustainability policiesECCA represents a crucial shift: from isolated innovation efforts to collective, industry-wide transformation.As Community Manager of Composites Lounge, my involvement in this LinkedIn Live is closely connected to this broader mission.Through my support and engagement with ECCA, I am committed to amplifying the voices, innovations and collaborations that are shaping the future of circular composites in Europe.🎙 SpeakersThis LinkedIn Live brings together leading experts from across the EOLIAN consortium, covering the full value chain from materials innovation to industrial deployment and circularity assessment:• Marta Zaccone – Transfer Technology Project Manager, Proplast (Italy)Project Coordinator of EOLIAN, Proplast leads overall project execution and contributes to technical work on developing vitrimer composites and their chemical recycling.• Cristina Monteserin – Researcher, TEKNIKER (Spain)As well as driving the development of vitrimer resins and composites, Tekinker is also integrating advanced sensors and actuators into the material system.• Andrea Minigher – Business Development, AEP Polymers (Italy)Responsible for optimising and scaling up high-performance vitrimer systems for industrial application.• Marco Longana – Associate Professor, Politecnico di Milano (Italy)PoliMi is leading manufacturing and testing of basalt fibre-reinforced vitrimer composites, and optimisating recycling processes.• Daniel Paul – Research Fellow, Brunel Composites Centre, Brunel University London (UK)BCC and Entelea are developing advanced multiscale models to accurately represent material behaviour and performance.• Dr. Fotini Petrakli – Sustainability Manager, IRES – Innovation in Research and Engineering Solutions (Belgium)Assessing the environmental, economic, and social impacts of EOLIAN technologies across their lifecycle.• Claudia Vázquez Sanz – Technical Procurement & Blades Engineering, Norvento TECHnPower (Spain)Leading the design and manufacturing of the EOLIAN prototype vitrimer composite blade, as well as LCOE and life cycle analysis.• Zeynep Korkmaz – Senior R&D Specialist, Zorlu Enerji (Türkiye)Driving exploitation strategies and IP management to enable market adoption and end-to-end value chain development.• EuCIA Representative (tbc)YouTube Episode: https://youtube.com/live/LIMT30yP6Yw?feature=share

MRO – The Backbone of AviationOn June 10, 2026 (14:00–14:45 CEST, Berlin) at the ILA STAGE AVIATION, Hall C, we brought a critical but often overlooked reality into the spotlight:Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) is the true backbone of aviation.✈️ Five years in development – six months in production – 30 years in operation.MRO keeps the world flying.This high-level panel brings together leading voices from airline, MRO, OEM, and research to reveal why MRO is far more than maintenance — and why it defines availability, competitiveness, and the future of aviation.🎙️ Speakers:• Heiko Holm – Managing Director, Chief Technical Officer & Condor Technik: Managing Director, Condor Airlines• Harald Gloy – Chief Operations Officer, Lufthansa Technik AG• Dr. Ottmar Pfaender – Chief Program Officer at MTU Aero Engines• Andreas Mayer – Head of Conversion and Maintenance, Elbe Flugzeugwerke GmbH• Dr. Markus Fischer – Divisional Board Member for Aeronautics, DLRHost: Ilkay Özkisaoglu🧩 Three key themes:1. Availability & lifecycle thinking – Why ~99% readiness is non-negotiable2. Germany as an MRO powerhouse – Industrial strength, talent, and $100bn+ market scale3. High-tech MRO – Predictive maintenance, digital twins, P2F conversions, innovation🔥 This panel reveals what usually stays invisible — the system that actually makes aviation work.YouTube Episode: https://youtube.com/live/SK4C_rYv6-w

🌍 Announcing Our REFRESH Project Live Talk – Presented in Partnership with The European Composites Industry Association; EuCIA & its ECCA movementI’m excited to share something special with you.As an official media partner of EUCIA’s private initiative, the European Circular Composites Alliance (ECCA), I’m honored to bring breakthrough European sustainability projects directly to our composites communities.Today, I’m proud to present the first of these: REFRESH.🔄 About REFRESHWind energy is one of Europe’s cleanest power sources — but wind turbine blades remain one of the industry’s most complex end‑of‑life challenges. While most of a turbine is already recyclable, blades made from durable composite materials require smarter, scalable solutions.The EU‑funded REFRESH project is tackling this challenge head‑on. It spans the entire blade‑to‑new‑product value chain:• Smart dismantling and cutting• Shredding, sorting, and recycling innovations• Mechanical, thermal, and microwave‑assisted recovery processes• Conversion of non‑recyclable residues• New products designed with secondary materials• LCA, LCC, and a blockchain‑based traceability platformREFRESH is not just a research project — it’s a blueprint for Europe’s transition to circular composite materials. And with these countries involved truly European:BelgiumFranceItalyNorwaySpain👥 Meet the PanelistsI’m delighted to welcome experts from across Europe who are shaping this transformation:RAPHAEL PLEYNET (EuCIA) – Project communication & disseminationDaniel Grisenti (RINA) – Project coordination & sustainabilityJean-Baptiste STREHAIANO (ETAT9) – Smart blade cuttingGiorgio Betteto (Gees Recycling) – Mechanical recycling into structural panelsMarcin Rusin (Gjenkraft AS) – Thermal recycling & fibre recoveryGonzalo Murillo Ciordia (CIRCE - Centro Tecnológico) – Microwave‑assisted pyrolysis & solvolysisJan Kašpar (Enecolab Srl) – Thermochemical conversion of dust & finesAndrea Tinti (CETMA) – New products from secondary raw materialsAnurag Bansal (ACCIONA Construcción) – Recycled composites in constructionIoana Muntean (RINA) – LCA of processes and productsDavid Garcia Estevez (TECNALIA Research & Innovation) – Blockchain traceability & decision algorithmsREFRESH is the first of two EUCIA/ECCA project presentations I’ll be hosting this spring.YouTube Episode: https://youtube.com/live/cU1Ovbvhv3I?feature=share

One of the privileges of what I do is having the opportunity to connect with people who are not only talking about the future of composites—but actively building it.The latest edition of my Composites Lounge Newsletter features insights from Esthel Osso, Ex-Coordinator of the European Circular Composites Alliance (ECCA), recorded during JEC World 2026.What makes this conversation particularly valuable is that it goes beyond technology and recycling processes and focuses on something many industries struggle with: collective action. ECCA has grown to more than 200 organizations across 27 countries and is now moving from strategy building to measurable industrial implementation.For business leaders, engineers, innovation managers and sustainability professionals, the message is clear: circularity is no longer a future discussion. It is becoming a strategic competitiveness issue for the European composites sector. The ability to create viable value chains around repair, reuse, remanufacturing and recycling will increasingly determine who leads the next generation of industrial innovation.I strongly encourage everyone active across the composites value chain to explore ECCA and consider joining the movement.🔗 Join ECCA (free of charge):https://eucia.eu/ecca/🔗 ECCA 2nd General Assembly – Brussels, 3 December 2026:https://lnkd.in/eMMWWxDHLooking ahead, this week we will also shine a spotlight on EOLIAN project EU, an exciting Horizon Europe project (European Commission) developing smart, bio-based and recyclable wind turbine blades. Combining advanced vitrimer composites, structural health monitoring and circular design principles, EOLIAN demonstrates how innovation can support both sustainability and industrial competitiveness.The LinkedIn Live sessions we organize together with industry partners have become a popular meeting point for the composites community, bringing together experts from research, engineering, manufacturing, policy and investment. If you have not joined one yet, this is a good opportunity to start.A special thank you to Professor Roberto Frassine, RAPHAEL PLEYNET and the entire EuCIA team for their leadership and commitment to advancing composites circularity across Europe. Their work continues to bring together stakeholders who might otherwise remain disconnected, creating a stronger and more coordinated industry voice.As a proud Media Sponsor with Composites Lounge of the ECCA General Assembly, I am already looking forward to meeting many of you again this winter in Brussels.📩 If you would like to stay ahead of emerging trends, strategic initiatives and innovation stories across the composites industry, I invite you to subscribe to the Composites Lounge Newsletter.The future belongs to those who engage early.YouTube Episode: https://youtu.be/sa1yZSrcdwY

PRF Composite Materials Composites on Industrialisation, Sustainability and GrowthAt JEC World 2026 in Paris, Composites Lounge spoke with Vincent Fawcett of PRF Composite Materials about the forces currently reshaping the composites industry and the company's role in helping manufacturers navigate this transition.The conversation revealed a clear strategic focus on three interconnected themes: industrial-scale composite manufacturing, sustainability through engineering, and manufacturing readiness across increasingly demanding supply chains.Rather than concentrating solely on material performance, PRF is addressing one of the industry's most pressing challenges: how to make advanced composites viable for higher-volume production. Vincent Fawcett discussed the importance of rapid-cure prepreg technologies, press-moulding solutions and manufacturing processes capable of supporting faster cycle times while maintaining the performance advantages that have made composites indispensable in aerospace, automotive and other high-value sectors.Sustainability formed a second major pillar of the discussion. PRF continues to advance the integration of recycled carbon fibre into both component and tooling applications while pursuing manufacturing approaches designed to reduce energy consumption and lower the carbon footprint per part produced. The interview highlights how the company is attempting to combine circularity, productivity and engineering performance within a unified development strategy.A further topic explored was manufacturing readiness. Through services such as precision cutting, kitting, material preparation and logistics support, PRF increasingly positions itself as a manufacturing partner rather than simply a material supplier. Extended out-life prepregs and new storage solutions are helping customers simplify operations and improve production efficiency.The interview also provides insight into PRF's extensive 2026 industry engagement programme. Following JEC World, the company will participate and play prominent roles at two key UK industry events.At Advanced Engineering UK in Birmingham, PRF serves as a major partner of the composites programme, supporting technical forums and networking activities. At the International Composites Summit in Wembley, the company has been named Exclusive Forum Headline Sponsor, underlining its growing influence within the UK and international composites community.YouTube Episode: https://youtu.be/2HLwXtq3Tzc

At AERO 2026, the Composites360onTour format visits Textron Aviation to explore the next evolution in business jet design: the Cessna Citation Ascend. In this interview, Ilkay Özkisaoglu and Norbert Werle (Jet Circle) speak with Jimmy Beese, VP Product Development at Textron Aviation, covering both aircraft comfort and performance as well as the engineering logic behind composite materials.On the aircraft side, the Citation Ascend is presented as a refined evolution of the proven 560XL platform. The discussion highlights key upgrades including the Garmin G5000 avionics suite, Pratt & Whitney Canada PW545D engines, and aerodynamic refinements that extend range to approximately 1,940 nautical miles.The cabin has been redesigned with a flat-floor configuration, larger windows, and improved seating concepts, offering enhanced passenger comfort while maintaining operational efficiency. The conversation then shifts into the engineering domain, where the focus turns to composites and material selection. Rather than presenting composites as a dominant solution, Jimmy Beese outlines a targeted, application-driven approach:• Composites are used in specific components and control surfaces, both internally and externally• Integration is driven by weight sensitivity and functional requirements• Aircraft design relies on a hybrid material architecture, balancing metals and compositesA key insight from the interview is the shift away from material-driven trends toward problem-oriented engineering decisions. Composites are applied where they provide measurable value—not as a default solution.The discussion also provides perspective on product development strategy, emphasizing a customer-first approach that translates operational needs into engineering solutions.This interview is particularly relevant for:• Aerospace engineers and designers• Composites and materials specialists• Professionals in MRO, certification, and product developmentIt offers a grounded view of how modern aircraft are engineered—where comfort, performance, and material science converge within real-world constraints. About Composites360onTourExploring materials, structures, and engineering decisions across aerospace and mobility. Real teams. Real technology. Real innovation.🌐🔗Visit Our Website:▶Website 1: https://www.dersocialceo.com▶Website 2: https://www.compositeslounge.com▶Website 3: https://www.imbeo.de▶Website 4: https://www.contentcreatorclub.de🌐🔗Follow Us: LinkedIn▶ / imbeo  ▶ / content-creator-club  ▶ / compositeslounge  ▶ / der-social-ceo  #️⃣🔥Hashtag:#Composites360OnTour #JECWorld #IlkayÖzkisaoglu #JECWorld #CompositeIndustryYouTube Episode: 

MRO – The Backbone of AviationOn June 10, 2026 (14:00–14:45 CEST, Berlin) at the ILA STAGE AVIATION, Hall C, we brought a critical but often overlooked reality into the spotlight:Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) is the true backbone of aviation.✈️ Five years in development – six months in production – 30 years in operation.MRO keeps the world flying.This high-level panel brings together leading voices from airline, MRO, OEM, and research to reveal why MRO is far more than maintenance — and why it defines availability, competitiveness, and the future of aviation.🎙️ Speakers:• Heiko Holm – Managing Director, Chief Technical Officer & Condor Technik: Managing Director, Condor Airlines• Harald Gloy – Chief Operations Officer, Lufthansa Technik AG• Dr. Ottmar Pfänder – Executive Vice President of Programs, Defense and MRO, MTU Aero Engines AG• Andreas Mayer – Head of Conversion and Maintenance, Elbe Flugzeugwerke GmbH• Dr. Markus Fischer – Divisional Board Member for Aeronautics, DLRHost: Ilkay Özkisaoglu🧩 Three key themes:1. Availability & lifecycle thinking – Why ~99% readiness is non-negotiable2. Germany as an MRO powerhouse – Industrial strength, talent, and >$100bn market scale3. High-tech MRO – Predictive maintenance, digital twins, P2F conversions, innovation🔥 This panel reveals what usually stays invisible — the system that actually makes aviation work.👉 Join us live on tape from ILA 2026 Berlin – press participate for your online free seat on 29 June 2026👉 This is not a standard panel. This is where industry reality meets future direction.🔗 Official ILA panel link:https://www.ila-berlin.de/de/ila-stages#eventdate--MRO---The-Backbone-of-Aviation--2ea8a4a6-086d-49b6-90ff-c190fa71f0f1YouTube Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hH6DkEPM9Cc&feature=youtu.be

At AERO 2026 in Friedrichshafen, Ilkay Özkisaoglu sits down with Mario Fakour, VP Program Management VoloXPro at Volocopter—one of the leading pioneers in electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) technology. The interview offers exclusive insights into how urban air mobility is transitioning from vision to reality.Volocopter’s message is clear: the future of aviation is already being built today. The company aims to bring emission-free air mobility into everyday life, enabling a new form of transportation that is not only cleaner but also more direct, efficient, and accessible for individual users.The discussion highlights two key platforms. The VoloCity, designed as an urban air taxi, is currently undergoing EASA certification and targets intra-city mobility. In parallel, the VoloXPro is positioned for pilot training, aviation clubs, and private use cases within the ultralight aircraft segment. [A central theme of the interview is the critical role of advanced materials. Both aircraft rely heavily on carbon composite structures—underscoring the importance of lightweight engineering in achieving the performance, efficiency, and sustainability required for electric flight systems. Volocopter also emphasizes its European industrial footprint. Based in Bruchsal, Germany, the company is establishing one of the few dedicated eVTOL production sites in Europe, positioning itself strategically within the aerospace ecosystem. Certification remains a key milestone on the path to market. While the VoloCity follows EASA regulations, the VoloXPro will be certified under the German Ultraleight Association (DULV). The company aims to complete certification of the VoloXPro by the end of 2026, with start of production planned for 2027. Despite ongoing developments in autonomy, Volocopter’s current focus is on piloted aircraft. While remote and autonomous capabilities are technologically feasible, certified manned operations represent the immediate priority for market entry. This interview is part of the #Composites360onTour series, which explores the intersection of materials, structures, and engineering decisions shaping the future of aviation. It becomes evident that the transformation of aerospace is not driven by propulsion alone, but by the integration of advanced materials, manufacturing processes, and system innovation.📍 Location: AERO 2026, Friedrichshafen🎙 Guest: Mario Fakour, Volocopter🎥 Format: #Composites360onTour👉 Subscribe for more insights into aviation, composites, and emerging technologies.🌐🔗Visit Our Website:▶Website 1: https://www.dersocialceo.com▶Website 2: https://www.compositeslounge.com▶Website 3: https://www.imbeo.de▶Website 4: https://www.contentcreatorclub.de🌐🔗Follow Us: LinkedIn▶ / imbeo  ▶ / content-creator-club  ▶ / compositeslounge  ▶ / der-social-ceo  #️⃣🔥Hashtag:#Composites360OnTour #JECWorld #IlkayÖzkisaoglu #JECWorld #CompositeIndustry

In Part 2 of our deep-dive at the Karl Mayer Textile Innovation Center in Obertshausen, Ilkay Özkisaoglu is joined by Jürgen Trötzsch (Project Manager Machine Specials) to explore the fascinating world of technical textile machinery.This episode goes beyond materials and dives into how advanced warp knitting technologies enable high-performance applications across industries—from composites and infrastructure to medical and filtration systems.🔍 What you’ll discover in this walkthrough:👉 Multiaxial Warp Knitting Machines (Non-Crimp Fabrics)We start with the backbone of composite reinforcement: multiaxial fabrics. Learn how fibers are precisely oriented (0°, 90°, ±45°) to create high-performance reinforcements used in automotive lightweight structures, sandwich panels, and pultruded components.👉 Raschel Machines with Weft InsertionA key technology in technical textiles: Raschel machines allow the integration of additional yarn systems. With weft insertion, fibers are laid in a controlled, perpendicular orientation and then stitch-bonded—enabling precise mechanical performance and tailored functional textiles.👉 Handling Sensitive Functional FibersDiscover how Karl Mayer machines process delicate fibers such as hollow fibers for filtration and medical applications. These systems operate at extremely low tensions to preserve fiber geometry and functionality—critical for dialysis, oxygenation (ECMO), and advanced filtration.👉 Tricot Machines – The Core of Warp KnittingUnderstand the fundamentals of warp knitting with tricot machines, where multiple yarns are knitted simultaneously to create flexible, durable fabrics used in applications ranging from apparel to camouflage textiles.👉 Specialized Machinery for Filtration & Medical TextilesWe explore how aligned fiber structures are produced for filtration cartridges, enabling precise control over spacing, density, and flow characteristics—opening opportunities in water treatment, healthcare, and beyond.👉 Laboratory & Modular Innovation SystemsInside the Innovation Center, Karl Mayer showcases flexible lab-scale machines used for customer trials. These systems allow rapid prototyping—from fiber spreading and coating to winding—bridging the gap between idea and industrial production.👉 Investment & Market TrendsWhat does it take to enter the technical textiles space? Jürgen shares insights on machine investments (€500k–€1M), long lifecycle performance, and key growth areas such as medical textiles, filtration, and functional composites. 💡 Key takeaway:Karl Mayer is not producing textiles—they are engineering the machines that enable entire industries. Their technologies sit at the very beginning of the value chain, shaping the performance of products that follow. 🎯 This video is for: • Composites & advanced materials professionals• Textile engineers & manufacturers• Investors exploring technical textile markets• Anyone curious about the machinery behind high-performance fabrics 📍 Filmed at: Karl Mayer Textile Innovation Center, Obertshausen (Germany)👉 Stay tuned for more deep dives into warp knitting, composites, and industrial innovation.#technicaltextiles  #WarpKnitting #KarlMayer🌐🔗Visit Our Website:▶Website 1: https://www.dersocialceo.com▶Website 2: https://www.compositeslounge.com▶Website 3: https://www.imbeo.de▶Website 4: https://www.contentcreatorclub.de🌐🔗Follow Us: LinkedIn▶ / imbeo  ▶ / content-creator-club  ▶ / compositeslounge  ▶ / der-social-ceo  #️⃣🔥Hashtag:#Composites360OnTour #JECWorld #IlkayÖzkisaoglu #JECWorld #CompositeIndustry YouTube Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OJc5AGe2l8

Willkommen zu einer weiteren Station von #Composites360onTour auf der JEC World 2026 in Paris – live vom auffälligen gelben Gemeinschaftsstand „The Länd“ aus Baden-Württemberg.In diesem Doppel-Interview spreche ich mit zwei zentralen Stimmen des deutschen Leichtbaus und der faserbasierten Werkstoffe:🔹 Prof. Markus Milwich (DITF)🔹 Sabiah Steibli (AFBW)Gemeinsam geben sie Einblicke in aktuelle Entwicklungen rund um Leichtbau, Composites und textile Innovationen entlang der gesamten Wertschöpfungskette. 🔬 Was steckt hinter den Acronymen?👉 DITF = Deutsche Institute für Textil- und Faserforschung DenkendorfEines der größten Textilforschungszentren Europas mit Fokus auf die gesamte textile Wertschöpfung – von Faserentwicklung bis zur Pilotfertigung. [bing.com], [de.wikipedia.org]👉 AFBW = Allianz Faserbasierte Werkstoffe Baden-Württemberg e.V.Ein branchenübergreifendes Innovationsnetzwerk, das Unternehmen, Forschung und Märkte rund um faserbasierte Materialien verbindet. [afbw.eu], [techtextil...nkfurt.com] 🎯 Die Themen im Interview🔸 Leichtbau neu gedachtWarum der Begriff „Leichtbau“ allein nicht mehr ausreicht – und wie sich Narrative hin zu „Advanced Materials“ und Ressourceneffizienz verändern.🔸 Textilien als unterschätzter Schlüssel in CompositesOhne textile Strukturen kein Composite: Fasern, Gewebe und Vliesstoffe bestimmen maßgeblich die mechanischen Eigenschaften.🔸 Neue Materialien & SkalierungVon Carbon- und Glasfasern bis zu Naturfasern und Keramikfasern – inklusive Herausforderungen bei Kosten, Hochskalierung und industrieller Anwendung.🔸 Innovation aus Baden-Württemberg („The Länd“) Einblick in ein hochvernetztes Ökosystem aus Forschung, Mittelstand und globalen Playern – vom Automotive bis Aerospace.🔸 AFBW-Netzwerk & PlattformenVon Matchmaking über Kompetenzatlas bis hin zu Innovationsprojekten (z. B. Naturfasern, Biopolymere, Defence, Transformation).🔸 Technologietag Leichtbau (Save the Date)📅 5. November 2026 bei TRUMPFEin branchenübergreifender Treffpunkt für Austausch zwischen Metall-, Faserverbund- und Materialexperten. 🌍 Warum dieses Gespräch wichtig istDieses Interview zeigt eindrücklich, dass die Zukunft von Composites nicht nur im Material selbst liegt, sondern im Zusammenspiel aus Textil, Technologie und Systemdenken.👉 Leichtbau wird zum Hebel für:• Energieeffizienz• CO₂-Reduktion• Ressourcenschonung• Neue industrielle Anwendungen 📍 KontextDie JEC World gilt als weltweit führende Messe für Verbundwerkstoffe und bringt jährlich die wichtigsten Player aus Industrie, Forschung und Innovation zusammen.Der Pavillon „The Länd“ steht dabei für die gebündelte Innovationskraft aus Baden-Württemberg – sichtbar, laut und international vernetzt. 📣 Call to Action💬 Was ist für dich der wichtigste Treiber im Leichtbau: Material, Prozess oder Anwendung?👉 Schreib es in die Kommentare!👍 Like, abonnieren und teilen nicht vergessen, wenn dir diese Einblicke aus der Composites-Welt gefallen. #Composites #Leichtbau #JECWorld #Textil #Innovation #AFBW #DITF #TheLänd #AdvancedMaterials🌐🔗Visit Our Website:▶Website 1: https://www.dersocialceo.com▶Website 2: https://www.compositeslounge.com▶Website 3: https://www.imbeo.de▶Website 4: https://www.contentcreatorclub.de🌐🔗Follow Us: LinkedIn▶ / imbeo  ▶ / content-creator-club  ▶ / compositeslounge  ▶ / der-social-ceo  #️⃣🔥Hashtag:#Composites360OnTour #JECWorld #IlkayÖzkisaoglu #JECWorld #CompositeIndustryYouTube Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lP8faSbZGs

Im Rahmen der JEC World 2026 in Paris gibt Astrid Lang von Bayern Innovativ einen Überblick über die Aufgaben, Strukturen und Angebote der Innovationsplattform im Bereich neuer Werkstoffe.Bayern Innovativ vernetzt Unternehmen mit Forschungseinrichtungen, um Innovationsprozesse gezielt zu unterstützen und technologischen Fortschritt voranzutreiben. Ein besonderer Schwerpunkt liegt auf dem Innovationsnetzwerk Material, das sich mit der Entwicklung und Anwendung moderner Werkstoffe wie Composites, Metallen und weiteren Hochleistungsmaterialien befasst.Das Angebot richtet sich an Unternehmen unterschiedlicher Größenordnungen – von Start-ups bis hin zu etablierten mittelständischen und großen Unternehmen. Ziel ist es, durch gezielte Vernetzung, individuelle Betreuung und Zugang zu relevanten Kompetenzen die Innovationsfähigkeit zu stärken und Projekte effizient umzusetzen.Anhand eines Praxisbeispiels wird erläutert, wie Unternehmen durch die Teilnahme an Netzwerkveranstaltungen, den Austausch mit Experten und die gezielte Unterstützung konkrete technologische Fähigkeiten aufbauen und neue Geschäftsfelder erschließen können.Weitere Informationen zu Bayern Innovativ:https://www.bayern-innovativ.de🌐🔗Visit Our Website:▶Website 1: https://www.dersocialceo.com▶Website 2: https://www.compositeslounge.com▶Website 3: https://www.imbeo.de▶Website 4: https://www.contentcreatorclub.de🌐🔗Follow Us: LinkedIn▶ / imbeo  ▶ / content-creator-club  ▶ / compositeslounge  ▶ / der-social-ceo  #️⃣🔥Hashtag:#Composites360OnTour #JECWorld #IlkayÖzkisaoglu #JECWorld #CompositeIndustryYouTube Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbkdVwCwjrI

Im Rahmen der JEC World 2026 in Paris gibt Sieglinde Sautter von Bayern International Einblicke in die Aufgaben und Angebote der bayerischen Wirtschaftsförderung im internationalen Kontext.Bayern International unterstützt insbesondere kleine und mittlere Unternehmen (KMU) sowie Start-ups bei der Erschließung internationaler Märkte, beim Aufbau von Geschäftskontakten im Ausland und bei der nachhaltigen Positionierung über nationale Grenzen hinaus. Gleichzeitig werden ausländische Unternehmen bei der Ansiedlung und Erweiterung ihrer Aktivitäten im Freistaat Bayern begleitet.Im Interview wird zudem die Bedeutung der JEC World als internationale Leitmesse hervorgehoben, die durch ihre Größe, Internationalität und die Vielzahl an Länderpavillons eine zentrale Plattform für den Austausch in der Composites-Industrie darstellt.Ein weiterer Schwerpunkt liegt auf der Ansprache bayerischer Unternehmen, die sich für internationale Aktivitäten interessieren und entsprechende Unterstützungsangebote in Anspruch nehmen möchten.Weitere Informationen zu Bayern International: https://www.bayern-international.de🌐🔗Visit Our Website:▶Website 1: https://www.dersocialceo.com▶Website 2: https://www.compositeslounge.com▶Website 3: https://www.imbeo.de▶Website 4: https://www.contentcreatorclub.de🌐🔗Follow Us: LinkedIn▶ / imbeo  ▶ / content-creator-club  ▶ / compositeslounge  ▶ / der-social-ceo  #️⃣🔥Hashtag:#Composites360OnTour #JECWorld #IlkayÖzkisaoglu #JECWorld #CompositeIndustryYouTube Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJnUHgeVirM

In dieser Episode von #Composites360OnTour nehmen wir euch mit zur JEC World in Paris – der weltweit führenden Messe für Faserverbundwerkstoffe und Leichtbau.  Am NRW Global Business Pavillon sprechen wir darüber, wie Unternehmen – insbesondere kleine und mittlere Unternehmen sowie Startups – erfolgreich in internationale Märkte einsteigen können und welche Rolle strategische Unterstützung dabei spielt.Gesprächspartnerin: Anna Lena Grytz (NRW Global Business)  Host: Ilkay Özkisaoglu Worum es in diesem Interview geht  In diesem Gespräch erhältst du konkrete Einblicke in:  Die Aufgaben und Rolle von NRW Global BusinessWie Unternehmen bei der Internationalisierung und Marktentwicklung unterstützt werden  Warum Gemeinschaftsstände ein idealer Einstieg für Erstaussteller sind  Welche Vorteile ein Full-Service-Messekonzept bietet  Die Bedeutung von Netzwerken und Synergien vor OrtMöglichkeiten für Startups, global sichtbar zu werden  Die Rolle von Composites als Innovationstreiber in verschiedenen Industrien  Über NRW Global Business  NRW Global Business ist die Wirtschaftsförderungsgesellschaft des Landes Nordrhein-Westfalen und arbeitet im Auftrag des Wirtschaftsministeriums.  Die zentralen Aufgaben umfassen:  Unterstützung von Unternehmen beim Export und der Erschließung internationaler MärkteBetreuung und Ansiedlung von internationalen Investoren in NRWOrganisation von Gemeinschaftsständen auf internationalen LeitmessenAufbau nachhaltiger internationaler NetzwerkeMit über 15 Jahren Präsenz auf der JEC World und einer starken Beteiligung regionaler Unternehmen gehört NRW zu den aktivsten Standorten im internationalen Composites-Umfeld.Warum Gemeinschaftsstände entscheidend sind  Gerade für KMU und Erstaussteller stellt die Teilnahme an internationalen Messen oft eine Herausforderung dar.  Der NRW Pavillon bietet hier eine strategische Lösung:  Schlüsselfertige Messeauftritte  Gemeinsame Infrastruktur mit Besprechungsflächen, Catering und Lounge  Reduzierte Kosten durch öffentliche Förderung  Minimaler organisatorischer Aufwand  Gemeinsamer Auftritt als starke Region  Das Ergebnis ist ein strukturierter, risikoarmer Einstieg in neue Märkte mit maximaler Sichtbarkeit.Ein Blick auf die Branche  Composites und Leichtbau spielen eine zentrale Rolle in zahlreichen Industrien:  Luft- und Raumfahrt  Automobilindustrie  Maschinenbau  Produktentwicklung  Ein entscheidender Aspekt:  Bauteile aus Nordrhein-Westfalen sind in einer Vielzahl globaler Anwendungen integriert – insbesondere in der Luftfahrt, was die internationale Relevanz des Standorts unterstreicht.Fokus auf Startups und Innovation  Ein besonderer Schwerpunkt liegt auf der Förderung von Startups:  Spezielle Beteiligungskonditionen auf Messen  Zugang zu Investoren und internationalen Netzwerken  Unterstützung beim Markteintritt in Europa  Programme wie das Startup Welcome Package  Startups werden gezielt in bestehende Ökosysteme integriert, um Innovationen schneller in den Markt zu bringen.Fazit  Erfolgreiche Messeauftritte entstehen nicht isoliert. Sie sind das Ergebnis eines funktionierenden Zusammenspiels aus Förderung, Netzwerk und strategischer Unterstützung.  Der NRW Global Business Pavillon zeigt, wie Unternehmen durch strukturierte Programme und ein starkes Umfeld international wachsen können.  Teile deine Erfahrungen mit internationalen Messen oder Gemeinschaftsständen in den Kommentaren und diskutiere mit der Community.Abonniere den Kanal für weitere Einblicke aus der Welt der Composites, Innovation und internationalen Marktentwicklung.  #Composites360OnTour #JECWorld #NRWGlobalBusiness #Innovation #Leichtbau #Internationalisierung #Startups #Messe #Netzwerk🌐🔗Visit Our Website:▶Website 1: https://www.dersocialceo.com▶Website 2: https://www.compositeslounge.com▶Website 3: https://www.imbeo.de▶Website 4: https://www.contentcreatorclub.de🌐🔗Follow Us: LinkedIn▶ / imbeo  ▶ / content-creator-club  ▶ / compositeslounge  ▶ / der-social-ceo  #️⃣🔥Hashtag:#Composites360OnTour #JECWorld #IlkayÖzkisaoglu #JECWorld #CompositeIndustry

Wie entsteht eigentlich ein Prepreg – und was passiert im Hintergrund, bevor Faser und Matrix perfekt zusammenspielen?Auf der JEC World 2026 habe ich mit Alexander Houben (JHT GmbH) und Udo Thönnißen (NEO TEC SYSTEM – NST) genau darüber gesprochen. Dieses Interview gibt euch einen seltenen Einblick in die technologische Basis der Composites-Industrie – direkt im Upstream-Bereich der Wertschöpfung.Gedreht am NRW Global Business Pavilion, gehen wir gemeinsam durch den gesamten Prozess einer modernen Prepreg-Linie – von der Abwicklung über die Imprägnierung bis hin zur Trocknung, Kühlung und Wicklung.🔍 Das erwartet euch in diesem Video:• Wie Prepreg-Anlagen aufgebaut und individuell konfiguriert werden• Warum Mikron-Genauigkeit bei der Imprägnierung entscheidend ist• Der komplette Prozess: Abwickeln → Imprägnieren → Trocknen → Kühlen → Aufwickeln• Spannungsregelung: Warum „so wenig Zug wie möglich, so viel wie nötig“ gilt• Die Rolle von Elektrotechnik, Sensorik und Antriebstechnik (NST Insights)• Wie JHT mit dem PictoCode-System komplexe Anlagen schnell visualisiert und konfiguriert• Worauf Unternehmen achten sollten, wenn sie in Prepreg-Technologie investieren💡 Zentrale Erkenntnis:Wir sprechen in der Branche oft über Materialien – Thermoplaste vs. Duroplaste. Doch echte Innovation beginnt viel früher: dort, wo Faser und Harz zum ersten Mal zusammenkommen.🚀 Technische Highlights aus dem Interview:• Anlagen mit bis zu 28 Metern Trocknerhöhe• Präzision im µm-Bereich bei der Harzauftragung• Einstellbarer Tack von „nicht klebrig“ bis „hoch tacky“• Digitale Anlagenkonfiguration mittels visueller Tools• Vollintegrierte Lösungen aus Mechanik + Elektrotechnik🤝 Besonders spannend: die enge Zusammenarbeit zwischen JHT (Mechanik & Prozess) und NST (Elektrotechnik & Automation). Sie zeigt eindrucksvoll, dass interdisziplinäre Expertise entscheidend ist, um moderne Produktionssysteme effizient und skalierbar zu gestalten.🌍 NRW Global Business Pavilion – ein Erfahrungsbericht:Für JHT als Erstaussteller eine klare 10/10: perfekte Organisation, starke Netzwerkeffekte und ein Umfeld, das Innovation und Zusammenarbeit fördert.🎯 Für wen ist dieses Video interessant?• Entscheider in der Composites-Industrie• Unternehmen, die Prepreg-Produktion aufbauen oder erweitern wollen• Ingenieure & Technologen mit Fokus auf Prozessinnovation & Fertigung📍 Aufgenommen auf der JEC World 2026 in Paris🎥 Teil der Serie #Composites360onTour👉 Abonniere den Kanal für mehr Einblicke aus der Welt der Composites, Innovation und Industrie.💬 Schreib mir deine Gedanken in die Kommentare!Hashtags:#JECWorld2026 #Composites #Prepreg #Industrie4_0 #Maschinenbau #Automation #NRW #Engineering #CompositeManufacturing #Composites360onTour🌐🔗Visit Our Website:▶Website 1: https://www.dersocialceo.com▶Website 2: https://www.compositeslounge.com▶Website 3: https://www.imbeo.de▶Website 4: https://www.contentcreatorclub.de🌐🔗Follow Us: LinkedIn▶ / imbeo  ▶ / content-creator-club  ▶ / compositeslounge  ▶ / der-social-ceo  #️⃣🔥Hashtag:#Composites360OnTour #JECWorld #IlkayÖzkisaoglu #JECWorld #CompositeIndustry

As part of #Composites360onTour, I had the opportunity to sit down with Anne Carole Barbarin, Regional Director Forums & Events at JEC Group, during JEC World 2026 in Paris.What started as an on site interview quickly turned into a much broader reflection on how the composites industry works today — and why regional formats like the JEC Forums are becoming increasingly important alongside global flagship events like JEC World.JEC World represents the full, global dimension of composites: technologies, materials, applications and ambitions from every corner of the world. It shows what is possible.But when it comes to making sense of complexity, building trust and turning ideas into real projects, the conversation often continues elsewhere.This is where the JEC Forums play their role.In this interview, Anne Carole explains how JEC has deliberately built the forums as regional, curated and highly focused platforms, designed to bring the entire value chain closer together — from materials and processes to components and end use applications. Rather than scale, the emphasis is on relevance, quality and outcome.A key pillar of this approach is the Hosted Buyer Program. Especially for industries navigating composites for the first time — such as aerospace, automotive, defence, construction or renewable energies — the forums provide orientation, education and access to the right partners, without requiring participants to be experts from day one.The conversation also places JEC Forum DACH 2026 into this context. Taking place on 20–21 October 2026 in Cologne, right in the heart of North Rhine Westphalia, the forum will connect one of Europe’s strongest industrial regions with the wider DACH and neighbouring European ecosystems. Cologne is not just a venue — it is a signal of industrial density, accessibility and cross border collaboration.Beyond DACH, we also look at the international JEC Forum landscape:• JEC Forum Southeast Asia, taking place on 23–24 June 2026 in Taipei, reflects the fast growing application markets and supply chains of the region.• JEC Forum Middle East, now scheduled for 8–9 December 2026 in Riyadh, highlights how composites are aligning with industrial transformation and long term national strategies.• JEC Forum Italy, returning in 2027 in Turin, continues to strengthen regional ecosystems through rotation and proximity.This interview was recorded before the final program announcements — making it an ideal moment to understand the idea, philosophy and strategic thinking behind the forums.👉 To continue the conversation, join us live on LinkedIn on 27 May 2026, when I’ll be discussing JEC Forum DACH 2026 together with Anne Carole Barbarin (JEC Group) and Elmar Witten (AVK).Because in composites — impact starts with understanding the format. 🌐🔗Visit Our Website:▶Website 1: https://www.dersocialceo.com▶Website 2: https://www.compositeslounge.com▶Website 3: https://www.imbeo.de▶Website 4: https://www.contentcreatorclub.de🌐🔗Follow Us: LinkedIn▶ / imbeo  ▶ / content-creator-club  ▶ / compositeslounge  ▶ / der-social-ceo  #️⃣🔥Hashtag:#Composites360OnTour #JECWorld #IlkayÖzkisaoglu #JECWorld #CompositeIndustry

Was erwartet die deutschsprachige Composites Industrie 2026?In diesem ausführlichen Interview spricht Dr. Elmar Witten, Geschäftsführer der AVK – Industrievereinigung Verstärkte Kunststoffe, mit Ilkay Özkisaoglu (Community Manager, Composites Lounge) über Märkte, Matchmaking, Verbandsarbeit und die industriepolitische Großwetterlage.Das Gespräch wurde auf der JEC World am Cornerstand der JEC TV Composites Lounge aufgezeichnet und verbindet operative Branchenthemen mit strategischer Einordnung auf Bundesebene. 🔹 Teil 1: JEC Forum DACH 2026 – Köln als strategischer HubIm Fokus steht das JEC Forum DACH 2026, das am 20.–21. Oktober 2026 im Maritim Hotel Köln stattfindet.Elmar Witten erklärt, warum Köln und NRW eine Schlüsselrolle für die Composites Industrie spielen – geografisch, industriell und international.Themen u. a.:• Business Matchmaking statt klassischer Messe• Hosted Buyer Programm: Motivation, Nutzen & ROI• Warum das JEC Forum DACH für Deutschland, Österreich, Schweiz und Benelux relevant ist• Inspiration aus der JEC World für das Konferenzprogramm 2026🎥 Dieses Video dient als Cover Interview zu Teil 1 der Serie. 🔹 Teil 2: AVK intern – Organisation, Vorstand & ArbeitsgruppenIm zweiten Teil (im Newsletter vertieft) geht es um die AVK Strukturen:• Neue Vorstandsaufstellung nach den Wahlen• Zuständigkeiten für Zukunftsthemen wie Bau & Infrastruktur sowie Defence & Security• Über 20 aktive Arbeitsgruppen zwischen Kontinuität (z. B. SMC/BMC) und neuen Märkten• Rolle der AVK als Bindeglied zwischen Industrie, Forschung und PolitikElmar Witten gibt Einblicke in die langfristige Verbandsarbeit eines über 100 Jahre alten Industrieverbandes – pragmatisch, industriegetrieben, faktenbasiert. 🔹 Teil 3: Bundesebene & Politik – BMWE, Leichtbau und RealitätZum Abschluss steigt das Gespräch auf die Makroebene:• Wie ist der aktuelle Stand der Förderpolitik beim Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Energie (BMWE)?• Warum „Leichtbau“ politisch schwer vermittelbar ist – und welche Alternativen diskutiert werden• Einordnung des Lightweighting Summit 2026 auf der Hannover Messe (21.04.2026)• Was Industrie aktuell wirklich braucht: Wettbewerbsfähigkeit, Materialeigenschaften, ResilienzKlar wird: Es geht nicht um Begriffe – sondern um Anwendungen, Nutzen und Marktreife. ✅ Für wen ist dieses Interview relevant?• Entscheider:innen aus der Composites Industrie• Einkäufer, Supplier & Hosted Buyer• Verbände, Cluster & Forschungsakteure• Politiknahe Innovations  und Förderstellen• Alle, die den Industriestandort Deutschland realistisch einschätzen wollen📩 Mehr Inhalte, Analysen und die Folgeteile findest du im Composites Lounge Newsletter.📌 Abonnieren, liken & teilen – für eine fundierte Debatte jenseits von Buzzwords. Keywords (SEO):JEC Forum DACH 2026, AVK, Elmar Witten Interview, Composites Industry Germany, Hosted Buyer Programm, BMWE Leichtbau, Lightweighting Summit Hannover Messe, Verbundwerkstoffe Markt Deutschland, Advanced Materials, Industriepolitik🌐🔗Visit Our Website:▶Website 1: https://www.dersocialceo.com▶Website 2: https://www.compositeslounge.com▶Website 3: https://www.imbeo.de▶Website 4: https://www.contentcreatorclub.de🌐🔗Follow Us: LinkedIn▶ / imbeo  ▶ / content-creator-club  ▶ / compositeslounge  ▶ / der-social-ceo  #️⃣🔥Hashtag:#Composites360OnTour #JECWorld #IlkayÖzkisaoglu #JECWorld #CompositeIndustry

Recorded at JEC World 2026, this episode of Composites 360° on Tour features an in-depth conversation with Chris Skinner, one of the most influential leaders in the global glass and composites industry.In this interview, we explore how industrial-scale circularity in composites is moving from ambition to reality — through technology, partnerships, and systems thinking. 🔁 Rethinking Circularity: SUSTAINA® and SUSTAINA® LoopGlass fiber composites are engineered to be durable and robust. But that very strength makes end-of-life solutions complex. Chris Skinner explains why circularity in composites cannot rely on downcycling — and why the real goal must be to recover materials and return them to prime-quality production.This is the foundation of SUSTAINA®, a structured approach that starts with internal production waste, expands to customer waste, and ultimately tackles end-of-life composites through SUSTAINA® Loop. The objective: reintroduce recovered materials back into the furnace to generate new, high-performance glass fiber.A key breakthrough discussed in the interview is the use of green hydrogen for glass melting, significantly reducing CO₂ emissions at the source while maintaining industrial performance. 🤝 Partnerships as the Core EnablerOne of the strongest messages from this conversation is clear:no company can achieve composites circularity alone.Advanced recycling processes such as solvolysis and pyrolysis require specialist expertise and infrastructure. Chris explains why partnerships are essential and highlights real-world collaboration with Gjenkraft, a leading composites recycler focused on end-of-life materials.In this ecosystem approach, partners handle waste processing and fiber recovery, while materials are requalified and reprocessed into prime fiberglass. Circularity, as Chris puts it, only works if the industry operates as a village. 🌍 From Company Strategy to European EcosystemWhat makes this interview especially timely is how it aligns with broader European initiatives such as the European Circular Composites Alliance (ECCA). Launched by EuCIA in partnership with JEC Group, ECCA aims to scale exactly the kind of industrial solutions discussed here — by connecting value-chain players, setting targets, and embedding circularity into future regulation and design standards. 🧭 Identity, Heritage, and the FutureAs the industry evolves, so does identity. Chris shares why the business is positioning itself as The Original Composites Company™, reconnecting innovation, heritage, and credibility — with a refreshed visual language where, yes, black simply looks cool. 🎥 Featuring• Chris Skinner• Nadège (industrial hydrogen & SUSTAINA® implementation)• Étienne Roux📍 Location: JEC World 2026📌 Series: Composites 360° on TourIf you care about circularity that actually works, this conversation is for you.🌐🔗Visit Our Website:▶Website 1: https://www.dersocialceo.com▶Website 2: https://www.compositeslounge.com▶Website 3: https://www.imbeo.de▶Website 4: https://www.contentcreatorclub.de🌐🔗Follow Us: LinkedIn▶ / imbeo  ▶ / content-creator-club  ▶ / compositeslounge  ▶ / der-social-ceo  #️⃣🔥Hashtag:#Composites360OnTour #JECWorld #IlkayÖzkisaoglu #JECWorld #CompositeIndustry

At JEC World 2026, #Composites360onTour stops at ChangSheng (Changjiang) Carbon, one of China’s most ambitious carbon fiber manufacturers, to explore how innovation, technology, and sustainability are shaping the future of advanced composites.In this in-depth conversation, Addison Yao, Executive Vice President of ChangSheng Carbon (Shanghai), shares insights into the company’s evolution from its origins in 2016 to becoming an internationally relevant player with cutting-edge carbon fiber solutions for aerospace, civil aviation, eVTOL, motorsports, space, and sporting goods.Recorded live on the exhibition floor at JEC World, this episode also captures the atmosphere of the show — including carbon fiber violins playing in the background.🎥 Part of #Composites360onTour — your gateway to the people, technologies, and ideas shaping the global composites industry.📣 Subscribe for more interviews from JEC World, LinkedIn, YouTube, and the Composites360 podcast.🌐🔗Visit Our Website:▶Website 1: https://www.dersocialceo.com▶Website 2: https://www.compositeslounge.com▶Website 3: https://www.imbeo.de▶Website 4: https://www.contentcreatorclub.de🌐🔗Follow Us: LinkedIn▶ / imbeo  ▶ / content-creator-club  ▶ / compositeslounge  ▶ / der-social-ceo  #️⃣🔥Hashtag:#Composites360OnTour #JECWorld #IlkayÖzkisaoglu #JECWorld #CompositeIndustry

What does a full-scale textile innovation environment look like—from yarn preparation to finished applications?In this episode of #Composites360onTour, Ilkay Özkisaoglu (Thought Leader in Advanced Materials & Co Founder of Composites Lounge) conducts a complete engineering walkthrough of the KARL MAYER Textile Innovation Centre (TIC) in Obertshausen, Germany, recorded during the Grand Opening on April 21, 2026.This is not a showroom visit.This is real industrial textile production with full process transparency. 🧵 Warp Knitting: Speed, Precision, VersatilityThe tour begins with KARL MAYER’s HKS tricot machines:• HKS 3-M EL PLUS (E14) → coarse gauge for thick yarns and open structures (footwear, medical, technical textiles)• HKS 2-SE (E40, 4100 rpm) → fine gauge elastic fabrics (sportswear, swimwear)• HKS 3-M EL (186", E28) → versatile applications including automotive roof linings• HKS 4-M EL → extended pattern capabilities for furniture and technical fabricsKey insight:👉 Operators validate quality at low speed (“turtle”) before switching to production mode (“rabbit”). 🧶 Raschel Technology: Pattern & FunctionThe second part covers Raschel machines:• MJ 92/1 F (Jacquard) → lace structures with post-processing (clipping yarns)• RS 2 NET → net production for agriculture and sports o integrated film-to-yarn conversion (FTL aggregate)o machine produces its own yarn from raw film• TM 4-TS EL (210") → terry towel production with brushing for loop formationKey innovation:👉 Direct transformation from raw material to final product within one system. 🏭 Inspiration Hub & ApplicationsThe TIC integrates engineering with application:• Textile archive with up to 100 years of developments• Pattern cards including machine parameters• Applications across: o workwearo medicalo defenseo fashionEngineers can: 👉 reverse-engineer fabrics👉 reduce development risk using proven setups ⚙️ Warp Preparation: Where Quality BeginsWith Tobias Kraus, the focus shifts to warp preparation:• Creel systems with up to 2000 packages• PROWARP HT sectional warping o width: 3600 mmo speed: up to 1000 m/minCritical controls:• FILGUARD monitoring → stops machine immediately on yarn break• Uniform yarn tension across all ends• Controlled beam build-upAdvanced system:• MULTIMATIC 128 o 128 yarn guides for color and pattern flexibilityCore takeaway:👉 Every fabric quality is defined in warp preparation. 📍 Why This Episode MattersThe TIC provides a complete textile value chain in one place:• yarn preparation• fabric formation• application validationFor textile engineers and operators, this means: 👉 real machine insight👉 process understanding👉 quality control visibility 🎙️ Featuring• Ilkay Özkisaoglu (Composites Lounge)• Melanie Bergmann (KARL MAYER)• Tobias Kraus (Warp Preparation Expert) 🔜 Up NextA second episode will focus on technical textiles and composite applications.🌐🔗Visit Our Website:▶Website 1: https://www.dersocialceo.com▶Website 2: https://www.compositeslounge.com▶Website 3: https://www.imbeo.de▶Website 4: https://www.contentcreatorclub.de🌐🔗Follow Us: LinkedIn▶ / imbeo  ▶ / content-creator-club  ▶ / compositeslounge  ▶ / der-social-ceo  #️⃣🔥Hashtag:#Composites360OnTour #JECWorld #IlkayÖzkisaoglu #JECWorld #CompositeIndustry

🔧 Inside Diamond Aircraft: Composite Manufacturing Deep Dive | DA62 | AERO 2026This 33 minute full length engineering interview takes you inside the composite manufacturing heart of Diamond Aircraft at Wiener Neustadt, Austria — one of the most advanced composite aircraft production sites in General Aviation.Recorded as part of the AERO Friedrichshafen 2026 preparation, this episode features a deep technical walkthrough with Gerhard Hüttinger, Quality Manager at Diamond Aircraft, guided by Norbert Werle (Founder, JET Circle) and Ilkay Özkisaoglu (DER Social CEO & Co Founder, Composites Lounge).The focus of this video is not marketing — it is process, structure, safety, certification and engineering logic behind Diamond’s composite aircraft, with special attention to the DA62 as a benchmark for composite driven business and multi mission aviation. 🧩 What You Will Learn in This Interview✅ How Diamond manufactures 95% of its aircraft structure in house using advanced composite processes✅ The difference between wet lay up, vacuum assisted infusion, and “just in time prepreg” workflows✅ Why Diamond deliberately avoids classical autoclave curing — and how post curing up to 125°C achieves final strength✅ How carbon fiber, glass fiber, Kevlar and foam sandwich structures are combined for optimal stiffness to weight ratios✅ Why the DA62 airframe is ~98% carbon fiber✅ Lightning protection strategies: conductive carbon layers, aluminum skeletons, copper foils, conductive paint systems✅ Structural bonding philosophy — including epoxy bonding pastes capable of filling gaps up to 10 mm✅ Why Diamond designs for failsafe structures and unlimited lifetime concepts✅ How landing gear loads, crash energy (26g), and impact absorption are managed through composite optimized seat structures✅ Precision CNC cutting and manual finishing — where automation ends and craftsmanship begins✅ Full serial traceability from raw material to delivered aircraft✅ Why Diamond prefers aluminum fuel tanks over wet wings in composite aircraft✅ Composite center wing box philosophy and fuel safety between twin spars✅ Installation logic for radar, avionics, oxygen systems, de icing, and special mission configurations ✈️ Why This MattersComposite aircraft manufacturing is no longer an experimental discipline — it is a mature, safety critical engineering system shaping the future of General and Business Aviation.Diamond Aircraft demonstrates how composites: • Reduce weight without compromising crash safety• Enable modular manufacturing and scalable production• Support business travel, charter, training, and special mission use cases• Deliver long lifecycle durability with predictable maintenanceFor engineers, OEMs, suppliers, regulators, flight operators, and composite professionals, this interview offers real production insight — not slides, not theory. 🎥 About This SeriesThis video is part of the Composites Lounge × JET Circle field research series ahead of AERO Friedrichshafen 2026, documenting how materials, engineering and business aviation intersect in real manufacturing environments.📌 Recorded on site at Diamond Aircraft, Wiener Neustadt📌 Full factory walk through📌 Zero scripting, engineering level explanations 🔍 SEO Keywords & TopicsDiamond Aircraft composies, DA62 manufacturing, composite aircraft production, carbon fiber aviation, vacuum infusion composites, General Aviation composites, business aviation engineering, AERO 2026, Diamond DA62 structure, lightning protection aircraft, composite fuselage, aviation quality management, composite bonding aviation, failsafe aircraft design🌐🔗Visit Our Website:▶Website 1: https://www.dersocialceo.com▶Website 2: https://www.compositeslounge.com▶Website 3: https://www.imbeo.de▶Website 4: https://www.contentcreatorclub.de🌐🔗Follow Us: LinkedIn▶ / imbeo  ▶ / content-creator-club  ▶ / compositeslounge  ▶ / der-social-ceo  #️⃣🔥Hashtag:#Composites360OnTour #JECWorld #IlkayÖzkisaoglu #JECWorld #CompositeIndustry

At JEC World 2026, the global leading trade fair for composites, Composites360onTour stopped at the booth of KARL MAYER to discuss recent developments in composite reinforcement technologies with a clear focus on pultrusion and multi axial textiles.This episode is hosted by Ilkay Özkisaoglu, Co Founder of Composites Lounge, who leads the conversation as part of Composites Lounge’s ongoing Composites360onTour interview format. The discussion features Hagen Lotzmann, President & Managing Director, Business Unit Technical Textiles at KARL MAYER, and Jürgen Tröltzsch, Product Specialist Composites at KARL MAYER.The interview provides a focused technical update on KARL MAYER’s multi axial non crimp fabric (NCF) solutions and their integration into pultrusion processes—a topic of increasing relevance for structural composite applications requiring more than pure unidirectional reinforcement.Traditionally, pultrusion relies on unidirectional rovings optimized primarily for axial load and bending stiffness. As discussed in this episode, KARL MAYER is addressing the growing demand for multi directional fiber architectures by enabling the use of multi axial knitted fabrics inside pultrusion molds. These structures allow fiber orientations such as 0°, 90°, ±45°, or even ±60°, enabling engineers to better manage torsional loads and complex stress states while maintaining continuous production.The conversation highlights the advantages of knitted multi axial fabrics compared to woven reinforcements, including improved fiber fixation, reduced crimp, and higher flexibility in layer orientation. KARL MAYER’s multi axial technologies allow large width fabrics to be produced efficiently and subsequently slit into narrow strips suitable for pultrusion, down to widths of less than 10 cm.The interview also clarifies the dominant role of thermoset resin systems in pultrusion, driven by the need for high mechanical performance, stiffness, and reliable fiber impregnation. Application examples discussed include railway and transportation systems, particularly underfloor components in metro trains, where lightweight design, structural integrity, and fire protection requirements converge.Beyond the showcased pultrusion application, the discussion expands to KARL MAYER’s broader multi axial machine business, including strong demand for glass fiber based solutions in mass markets such as the wind energy sector. Growth in regions like China and India is addressed, alongside expectations for renewed investment in Europe.The episode concludes with KARL MAYER’s positioning not only as a supplier of high volume machinery, but also as a partner for customized solutions and niche composite applications, reinforcing the company’s long-term commitment to both standardized and application specific textile engineering.This podcast episode is particularly relevant for:• Composite engineers and material developers• Pultrusion and structural composites specialists• Professionals in transportation, wind energy, and infrastructure sectors• Decision makers evaluating textile reinforcement strategies📍 Recorded at JEC World 2026🎙️ Composites360onTour by Composites Lounge Keywords / Tags:KARL MAYER, JEC World 2026, Composites360onTour, Pultrusion, Multi Axial Fabrics, Non Crimp Fabrics, Technical Textiles, Composite Reinforcement, Glass Fiber, Carbon Fiber, Transportation Composites, Wind Energy Composites, Textile Engineering🌐🔗Visit Our Website:▶Website 1: https://www.dersocialceo.com▶Website 2: https://www.compositeslounge.com▶Website 3: https://www.imbeo.de▶Website 4: https://www.contentcreatorclub.de🌐🔗Follow Us: LinkedIn▶ / imbeo  ▶ / content-creator-club  ▶ / compositeslounge  ▶ / der-social-ceo  #️⃣🔥Hashtag:#Composites360OnTour #JECWorld #IlkayÖzkisaoglu #JECWorld #CompositeIndustryYouTube Version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxN7zOvRlB0

In this exclusive first episode of our Diamond Aircraft series, recorded in Wiener Neustadt, we meet Jane Wang, Sales & Marketing Director and Flight Operations Director at Diamond Aircraft Industries. Together, we dive into the world of efficient composite aircraft, modern flight training, business aviation, and the company’s growing global footprint.🎥 EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS• Introduction to Diamond Aircraft’s portfolio: DA40, DA42, DA50, and the flagship DA62• Composite fuselage & carbon fiber manufacturing advantages• Why training aircraft represent over half of Diamond’s deliveries• Jet fuel efficiency, cost benefits & Austro Engine technology• DA62 as a “flying luxury SUV” for private owners, charter operators, and corporate missions• Business aviation use cases: air taxi, executive transport, offshore missions, aero survey & law enforcement• Cabin experience: how executives can work, call, collaborate, and travel efficiently• 10 years DA62 anniversary and expanding global market presence ✈️ DA62 – The Star of This EpisodeThe newly built DA62 featured in this video will be showcased at AERO Friedrichshafen 2026, configured with two business class seats in the second row, powered by twin Austro Engines AE330 (180 HP each), and built entirely from advanced composite materials.Its key advantages:• Highest efficiency & lowest fuel burn in its class• Short runway capability, including grass strips• Up to seven seats, ideal for small corporate teams• Multi mission flexibility (private, charter, special missions) 🌍 AERO 2026 – What to Expect (April 22–25, 2026)AERO Friedrichshafen is the leading global show for General Aviation, featuring 756+ exhibitors from 38+ countries and over 32,000 visitors.Expect 12 exhibition halls filled with gliders, ultralights, piston aircraft, helicopters and a strong Business Aviation presence. [aero-expo.com]🔥 Major 2026 Highlights• Record exhibitor numbers across general and business aviation• A significantly expanded Business Aviation Dome and presence in Hall A1, showing the sector’s strong momentum• The AERO Hydrogen & Battery Summit (21–22 April 2026) focusing on hydrogen, batteries, charging, control systems & future flight infrastructure• AERO 2026’s central theme: innovation & sustainability, with a dedicated Innovation Area in Hall A7 highlighting alternative propulsion, electric flight and new engine concepts• International reach expanding into China, South Africa, the Middle East, with high growth markets identified in Brazil and India [aero-expo.com], [messen.de] [youtube.com] [aero-expo.com] [pilotweb.aero]✈️ Aircraft on DisplayFrom drones to business jets, ultralights, gyrocopters, turboprops and piston engine travel aircraft — AERO showcases the full spectrum of modern aviation. [bodensee-airport.eu] 🎧 ABOUT THE PODCASTComposites360onTour and Composites Lounge Engineering Talks bring you insights from Europe’s aviation and composites ecosystems — every week on LinkedIn, YouTube and major podcast platforms. We dive into sustainable materials, innovative manufacturing, and the technologies shaping the future of flight. 💬 Join the ConversationHow do you see the role of efficient composite twin engine aircraft like the DA62 in the future of business aviation?Share your thoughts in the comments and stay tuned for another Part with Norbert Werle, where we explore Composites and the DA62 even deeper.🌐🔗Visit Our Website:▶Website 1: https://www.dersocialceo.com▶Website 2: https://www.compositeslounge.com▶Website 3: https://www.imbeo.de▶Website 4: https://www.contentcreatorclub.de🌐🔗Follow Us: LinkedIn▶ / imbeo  ▶ / content-creator-club  ▶ / compositeslounge  ▶ / der-social-ceo  #️⃣🔥Hashtag:#Composites360OnTour #JECWorld #IlkayÖzkisaoglu #JECWorld #CompositeIndustryYouTube Version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jymzB6BETB0

✈️ CLEAR FOR TAKEOFF — AERO 2026 WARM‑UPI’ll say it straight from the cockpit:If AERO Friedrichshafen 2026 is on your radar, this LinkedIn Live is your pre‑flight briefing — and skipping it would be like taxiing without a checklist.I’m hosting a no‑slides, no‑marketing‑fluff warm‑up livestream with two people who genuinely live aviation:🔥 Tobias Bretzel, Show Director of AERO — a walking afterburner.The kind of leader who doesn’t just manage a trade show but energizes an entire ecosystem. Tobias brings unbelievable momentum, sharp insights, and a contagious joy for aviation that turns planning into lift‑off. When he talks AERO, you feel the runway accelerating.🛩️ Norbert Werle, Managing Director of Air2E & Founder of JET-Circle — pure operational freedom.Pilot mindset, community builder, creator, and service provider rolled into one.Norbert represents the end‑user reality of General & Business Aviation: flexibility, access, and making aircraft actually work for people. If someone knows how aviation is used (not just discussed), it’s him.And me?I’m bringing the engineering lens — composites, advanced materials, certification reality, and why General Aviation is still the fastest testbed we have for what will later scale into aerospace and mobility.Hashtag#Composites360OnTour style: practical, honest, and close to the metal.🎧 What this Live is (and what it’s not):• Not a press release• Not a sales pitch• Not a panel where everyone agreesThis is Techtainment:Real talk about AERO 2026, the Business Aviation Show Hub, the aircraft, the energy, the people you must meet — and how engineering, operations, and community finally click together.We’ll talk what’s flying, what’s scaling, what’s worth your time, and why AERO is becoming the place where theory gets its pilot license.😎 Expect pilot jokes, engineering honesty, and the kind of insights you usually only get after day two at the bar — minus the jet lag.👉 Pro tip:Strap in.Run the checklist.We’re going wheels‑up soon.Hashtag#AERO2026 Hashtag#BusinessAviation Hashtag#GeneralAviation Hashtag#Techtainment Hashtag#Composites Hashtag#JETCircle Hashtag#AviationCommunity Hashtag#LinkedInLive Hashtag#PreFlightBriefing(Fotos are private and a mount)YouTube Version: https://youtube.com/live/5qU435c0GW4?feature=share

TEXTILE INNOVATION CENTER (TIC) by KARL MAYER — The Place to Be During Techtextil 2026!Dear LinkedIn Composites community,after filming an exclusive video interview with Hagen Lotzmann and Jürgen Tröltzsch at Composite Technologies – KARL MAYER during JEC World 2026 I can confirm one thing:👉 The TEXTILE INNOVATION CENTER (TIC) is about to become the global hotspot for textile innovation — and you REALLY don’t want to miss its Grand Opening.From 21–24 April 2026, parallel to Techtextil, KARL MAYER will open the doors of its brand-new 6,000 m² innovation hub in Obertshausen — just 20 minutes from Frankfurt.Here, the entire textile world comes together: warp knitting, technical textiles, warp preparation, fashion, composites, footwear, home textiles — and next-gen technical applications.🌟 Why you must be there (or risk falling behind):🔍 1. See full-scale machines in live operationNot lab demos — real industrial machines, including advanced warp knitting, weft insertion, fibre spreading systems, lightweight UD tape production and more. 🧪 2. From idea → prototype → near-series productionThe TIC lets you test materials, simulate processes and validate concepts before scaling — cutting development time and reducing risk. 🏛️ 3. Access to 40 years of textile archivesThe InspirationHub gives you access to an extraordinary archive of patterns, fabrics and structures — a treasure trove for new ideas and market-ready solutions. 🧭 4. Get guided Innovation ToursExperience market-driven textile trends, new applications in defense, workwear, sports, filtration, composites and more.💬 5. Talk directly to the expertsMachine specialists, textile developers, application engineers — all ready to engage with your challenges and projects. 🚐 6. Exclusive Shuttle Service every 30 minutesSeamlessly commute between TIC and Techtextil. I’ll use it myself — you should, too! 🎀 Grand Opening Ceremony — 23 AprilCeremonial ribbon cutting, CEO keynote, food, networking and an evening event until 21:00.This is where the industry meets — and where partnerships for tomorrow are born. 🎥 I’ll be there on April 21 for the opening day.If you’re attending, drop me a message — let’s meet at Obertshausen or at Karl Mayer's booth at Techtextil (Hall 12.0 / B079).See you where the future of textiles begins!

Join Ilkay Özkisaoglu on #Composites360onTour for an exclusive 25‑minute conversation with Éric Pierrejean, President & CEO of JEC Group, recorded at the Composites Lounge Corner (5H142) inside the JEC TV Studio during JEC World 2026 in Paris.In this two‑part interview, Éric shares unique insights into the global reach of JEC World — from Asia to the Americas, from Europe to the Middle East — and explains how the event connects the entire composites value chain across continents.We dive into:🌍 The worldwide presence of composites at JEC World  🚀 Emerging markets such as India, China, Türkiye, and the Middle East  🔧 New OEMs, digitalisation, AI & material informatics  ♻️ Europe’s leadership in circularity and the vision behind the Circularity Village  📚 The creation of the monumental History of Composites book  🤝 Why JEC World remains the global platform for innovation, networking, and industry growthIf you want to understand where the global composites industry is heading next — this conversation is essential.🔔 Subscribe to Composites360onTour for weekly interviews on LinkedIn, YouTube & Podcasts.  🌐🔗Visit Our Website:▶Website 1: https://www.dersocialceo.com▶Website 2: https://www.compositeslounge.com▶Website 3: https://www.imbeo.de▶Website 4: https://www.contentcreatorclub.de🌐🔗Follow Us: LinkedIn▶ / imbeo  ▶ / content-creator-club  ▶ / compositeslounge  ▶ / der-social-ceo  #Composites360OnTour #JECWorld #IlkayÖzkisaoglu #JECWorld #CompositeIndustry

This episode follows Ilkay Özkisaoglu as he interviews key leaders at the Blue Innovation Dock during boot Düsseldorf 2026. He documents how the European Boating Industry, EuCIA and ECCA are advancing circular composites, scaling recycling technologies and shaping EU policy for sustainable boating. Through expert perspectives from Philip Easthill, Raphaël Pleynet, Julia Minici, Marina Palumbo Cardella and Guillaume Perben, listeners gain a clear view of how innovation, regulation and industry alliances are driving the transition toward a circular marine economy.🌐🔗Visit Our Website:▶Website 1: https://www.dersocialceo.com▶Website 2: https://www.compositeslounge.com▶Website 3: https://www.imbeo.de▶Website 4: https://www.contentcreatorclub.de🌐🔗Follow Us: LinkedIn▶ / imbeo  ▶ / content-creator-club  ▶ / compositeslounge  ▶ / der-social-ceo  #️⃣🔥Hashtag:#Composites360OnTour #JECWorld #IlkayÖzkisaoglu #JECWorld #CompositeIndustryYouTube Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-icSvRw7Vg

Drei Wochen vor der JEC World 2026 (10.–12. März, Paris Nord Villepinte) liefern wir der DACH Community einen kompakten, praxisnahen Orientierungs Guide: Welche Pavillons & Formate sind relevant? Welche Vorträge & Panels dürfen Sie nicht verpassen – etwa in der Luftfahrt, im Bauwesen oder bei Kreislauf Materialien?Und wie priorisieren Sie Ihren Besuch, wenn die Hallen voll sind und die Zeit knapp ist?JEC World gilt als Weltleitmesse der Composites mit einem erstklassigen Konferenzprogramm (Agoras, Open Stage, SAMPE Sessions, Innovation Awards, Startup Booster). Wir kuratieren für Sie die Höhepunkte – fokussiert auf die Bedürfnisse aus DACH. [jec-world.events] Unsere Gäste & Themen1) Éric Pierrejean, CEO – JEC GroupDer „Hausherr“ der JEC World gibt uns den Blick von oben: Programmlogik 2026, thematische Schwerpunkte (Circular Materials, Design & Simulation) und die Rolle der offenen Bühnen (Agoras, Open Stage). Außerdem: Wie lassen sich Trends vor Ort effizient scouten – und was plant JEC mit WebTV/JEC TV und Formaten für den schnellen Wissenstransfer?2) Professor Dr.-Ing. Markus Milwich – DITF (Deutsche Institute für Textil  und Faserforschung Denkendorf)Die DITF sind Europas größtes Textilforschungszentrum und decken die gesamte textile Wertschöpfungskette ab – von der Faserchemie bis zu Faserverbund Technologien. Markus Milwich ist u. a. Leiter Themenfeld Faserverbundtechnologie (Kompetenzzentrum Polymere & Faserverbunde) und seit 2024 Vertreter der „Geschäftsstelle Leichtbau Baden Württemberg“ (Leichtbau Allianz BW) – ein starker Brückenkopf zwischen Forschung, Industrie und Politik. Er ordnet für uns Bio Composites, Sensoriktextilien und Kreislauf Ansätze ein – und erklärt, welche DITF Use Cases man in Paris im Auge behalten sollte. [ditf.de]3) AFBW – Allianz Faserbasierte Werkstoffe Baden Württemberg e. V.Als eines der leistungsstärksten Netzwerke Europas bündelt die AFBW Kompetenzen entlang der faserbasierten Wertschöpfung – von Architektur & Bau über Mobilität bis Umwelttechnik – und treibt Innovation & Wissenstransfer voran (u. a. mit dem AFBW Kompetenzatlas). Wir sprechen darüber, welche BW Kompetenzen (Start ups, Mittelstand, Institute) im internationalen Kontext sichtbar werden und wie sich Besucher gezielt vernetzen. [afbw.eu]4) THE LÄND – Baden Württemberg als GemeinschaftsauftrittUnter der Standortmarke THE LÄND macht Baden Württemberg Technologie  und Innovationsstärke international sichtbar. Wir beleuchten, wie das Land mit Partnern wie BW_i (Baden Württemberg International) Messeauftritte orchestriert und warum dieser Auftritt für DACH Akteure Reichweite & Zugang schafft. (Hinweis: „THE LÄND“ ist die offizielle Standortkampagne des Landes, eingesetzt u. a. für internationale Messen.) [thelaend.de]5) Marc Fette – CEO CTC GmbH (An Airbus Company), Präsidium Composites UnitedAus Stade meldet sich CTC – Composite Technology Center, die 100 % Airbus Tochter für industrielle Leichtbautechnologien. Marc Fette bringt den Aerospace Fokus mit – inkl. Einordnung zur Automatisierung von CFRP Prozessen, Qualifizierung Richtung Serie und Transfer in angrenzende Branchen. Zudem ordnet er aus CU Sicht (Präsidium; Vorsitz CU Nord) Netzwerke, Förderkulissen und die Panel Landschaft Luftfahrt bei der JEC ein.6) Elmar Witten, AVK – Industrievereinigung Verstärkte KunststoffeAls Geschäftsführer bei der AVK bringt Elmar Witten frische Markt Insights mit – etwa zu SMC/BMC (Performance, Nachhaltigkeit, Wertbeitrag) und zu industriegetriebenen Recycling pfaden. Wir fragen: Welche Sessions lohnen sich speziell für Einkauf, Tech Management und Business Development? Konferenz Navigation: So holen Sie das Maximum in Paris herausDie JEC Konferenzen 2026 setzen klare Schwerpunkte: Zirkuläre Materialien, Design & Simulation sowie Branchen Tracks zu Bauwesen, Luft  und Raumfahrt, Maritime. Ergänzt wird das Programm durch SAMPE Techniksessions (tiefe Technik, Verfahren, Fertigung), Innovation Awards, Startup Booster und Composites Exchange. Unser Live hilft Ihnen, Agenda Favoriten zu identifizieren – etwa Aerospace Panels oder Circularity Best Practices – und zeigt, wie Sie zwischen Agoras, Open Stage und Live Demos effizient wechseln.Ein konkreter Tipp aus der Agenda: Das SMC/BMC Panel (Agora 5) hebt Designfreiheit, Nachhaltigkeit und Kosteneffizienz hervor – moderiert von Volker Mathes (AVK). Solche Sessions sind ideal, um Entscheidungskriterien für Serienanwendungen zu schärfen.  Warum Sie teilnehmen sollten• Kuratierte Vorbereitung: Wir filtern Hunderte Programmpunkte auf DACH relevante Must Sees. • Direkt aus erster Hand: Von JEC Leitung über Forschung (DITF) und Netzwerke (AFBW, CU) bis Industrie (CTC, AVK) – kompakt in 90 Minuten. • Techtainment statt Flurfunk: Unterhaltsam, fundiert, mit klaren To‑Dos für Ihren Messeplan.YouTube Episode: https://www.youtube.com/live/Z_8KZuD0A7U

🌍 ANNOUNCEMENT: Get Ready for the JEC WORLD 2026 Warm-Up – Techtainment Begins! Imagine this:I’m packing my virtual bags, polishing the digital microphones, and rolling out the virtual carpet — because next week we go LIVE to warm you up for the biggest composites event on the planet.Some call JEC World 2026 the “Christmas of Composites.”Others call it the “pilgrimage” — that one magical trip you absolutely must make to stay ahead of the curve.And if you’ve ever walked the long central pathway of the Villepinte fairgrounds — yes, that’s right — the so‑called “Champs-Élysées of JEC World”…Well, that’s exactly where Chris Skinner will be roaming, reporting straight from the action!But before you all get lost on the Champs‑Élysées of carbon fiber, resin, tooling, sustainability zones, and live demos…🎤 We’re giving you your very own navigation system.⭐ Our Special Guest: Eric Pierrejean, CEO of JEC GroupThis year, we kick things off with the person who quite literally hosts the entire global family of composite materials:Éric Pierrejean, the CEO of JEC Group and the mind behind this mega show.He’s joining me live to answer the big questions:What’s new?What’s not to be missed?What’s the big theme behind 2026?Because we want you to arrive at the show prepared, energized, and knowing exactly where to go first.And hey — even Composites Lounge has its own corner in the newly-released JEC TV Studio. (Yes… we’re leveling up thanks to our partner JEC!)🧭 Your Pre‑Show CompassThis warm-up session will help you:Understand the big-picture highlightsNavigate the countless exhibitors and stages. Astrid Lang, Bayern Innovativ GmbH / Bayern International, Malcolm Forsyth of Composites UK - Trade Association, Roberto Frassine, President of The European Composites Industry Association; EuCIA & Assocompositi, Vincent Fawcett of PRF Composite Materials and Alexander Houben, CEO of JHT Jakobs-Houben Technologie GmbH will help you do this.Identify which technologies, companies, and sessions matter for YOUChoose where to invest your time on the show floorArrive at JEC World like a pro — not a tourist wandering the Villepinte Champs‑Élysées with sore feet🎬 But Wait… There’s More!This is just the English edition.On Thursday, 26 Feb. we return with a German-language session:🎙 Éric Pierrejean (again!)🎙 Marc Fette — wearing two hats:CEO of Composite Technology Center / CTC GmbH (An Airbus Company) &President Composites United🎙 Markus Milwich of DITF representing THE LÄND🎙 And Elmar Witten from AVKIt’s going to be fire. 🔥YouTube Episode: https://youtube.com/live/RFre0UDl67s?feature=share

Today I’m excited to release one of the most anticipated episodes of our #Composites360onTour series—our full 23‑minute deep‑dive with moi composites, recorded live at Formnext - Where ideas take shape 2025 Frankfurt/Main (Germany)This is not just another technology walkthrough.This is the story of a young, ambitious European deep‑tech team bringing real industrial capability into the market: a 10‑ton Hybrid Fabrication Platform (HFP) built for short‑fiber thermoset deposition and integrated milling, and a Continuous Fiber Manufacturing (CFM) process that pushes composite performance far beyond conventional AM boundaries.In this episode, you’ll meetGabriele Natale (CEO),Tommaso Geri (CTO), andVittoria Geri (CFO),whose perspectives—technical, strategic, and financial—paint an honest picture of what it takes to scale a composites startup in Europe today. From TRLs and full‑stack product strategy to the hidden operational traps that appear during growth, this conversation captures the real startup reality behind their fast‑moving technology.On a personal note, I want to acknowledge something meaningful:I had the honour of coaching Moi Composites in my capacity as an Innovation Coach appointed by the European Commission within Horizon Europe in the context of the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA) Accelarator programme. Coaching always happens in a protected and confidential environment, but seeing their work now take the stage publicly—here at Formnext and soon again at Belotti SpA’s Booth G61, Hall 6 at JEC World 2026—is a proud moment.To the entire Moi team: I wish you continued growth, bold execution, and all the flourishing success you deserve. Europe needs companies like yours—visionary in engineering, courageous in entrepreneurship, and committed to building real industrial capability.Now enjoy the full interview (in the cover video 1, in the body video 2) in total 23 minutes of technology, strategy, and pure engineering spirit.YouTube Episode: https://youtu.be/1F2BlXRd8HE

Circularity is not a buzzword—and Malcolm Forsyth proves why. 🔁Right after the European Circular Composites Alliance General Assembly in Brussels, I sat down with Malcolm Forsyth, Sustainability Manager at Composites UK - Trade Association, to talk about what really matters now: end of service versus end of life, circularity at industrial scale, and why technology is no longer the main bottleneck—economics and design decisions are.This is an engineering conversation, not a marketing one.We discuss decarbonisation, recycling routes, automotive scale‑up challenges, and why European collaboration through ECCA and The European Composites Industry Association; EuCIA is essential if composites are to become truly circular.Just two weeks ago, we launched the very first Hashtag#Composites360onTour newsletter with Julia Minici of Afterwind—and more than 4,000 of you subscribed. That response showed me how strong the appetite is for deep, technically grounded content like this.So here we go again.This edition follows the same format:Part 1 as native video in the cover, Part 2 embedded in the newsletter body.The full episode is available on YouTube, with an audio podcast release coming shortly—just search Composites Lounge on your favourite app.You can also meet Malcolm in person at JEC World 2026 at the UK Pavilion organised by Composites UK Trade Association, Hall 6, Stands S62 and T62, and in the Circularity Forum session he will moderate on Wednesday, March 11th.👉 Read the new #Composites360onTour newsletter and watch the interviews embedded.Subscribe to this newsletter format if you want first‑hand access to the people shaping the future of composites, advanced materials and engineering in Europe.Thank you to JEC and EUCIA for their relentless support in helping composites become what they truly deserve to be.YouTube Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akW8wMbV7Ec&feature=youtu.be

Big news from Composites Lounge.As JEC World 2026 approaches and booth decisions enter their final stretch, many companies are facing the same question:How do we still show up effectively in Paris without the cost, stress, and heavy logistics of a traditional booth?Together with our Premium Partner International Composites Summit (ICS), delivered by The Fluency Business Group, we will host a special Live event to introduce a smart, turnkey solution for exhibitors who need a fast and powerful way to be present at the world’s leading composites show.🎯 Topic:Exhibit Smart at JEC World 2026 — Inside the ICS Innovation Hub PodsThe ICS Innovation Hubs are designed for innovators, SMEs, scale-ups, and global players who want visibility and lead generation without the operational burden of a full stand.Each exhibitor receives a branded pod, integrated PR, pre‑event marketing, prime floor placement, on‑site support, furniture, lighting, power — a complete turnkey set‑up.This agile model is now coming for the first time to France, right onto the show floor of JEC World 2026.And who better to join this Live event than the team behind the concept:⭐ Gemma Hardy — Managing Director, The Fluency Business Group⭐ Katie Homes — Marketing Director, The Fluency Business Group⭐ Colin Leatham-Locke — Director of Sales, The Fluency Business GroupTogether, they will share how the Innovation Hub pods help companies:• Save time, money, and planning effort• Reduce the risk of last‑minute exhibiting• Stay visible even while attending conferences and meetings• Capture leads thanks to on‑site Fluency support• Enter JEC World 2026 without the need for complex stand builds📌 Useful links for context:ICS Innovation Hubs → https://lnkd.in/dQCuv4Z5International Composites Summit (ICS) → https://lnkd.in/eQpxyjTXThe Fluency Business Group → https://fluency-group.com/JEC World 2026 → https://lnkd.in/d6pe5srComposites Lounge → https://lnkd.in/dkPpr-pdThis Live event is ideal for:✔ Companies still deciding how to participate at JEC World 2026✔ Innovators with small teams✔ R\&D-heavy organisations✔ Startups and scale-ups entering new markets✔ Exhibitors who want visibility without complexityIf JEC World 2026 matters to your strategy, you won’t want to miss this.YouTube Episode: https://youtube.com/live/nzO2sVorGoY?feature=share

How do we move from pilot projects to true circularity in composites — at industrial scale?In this full #Composites360onTour interview, Ilkay Özkisaoglu speaks with Julia Minici,  Co‑Founder & Chairperson of Afterwind, directly after the first General Assembly of the European Circular Composites Alliance (ECCA) in Brussels, organised by EuCIA.Afterwind is tackling one of the biggest sustainability challenges in advanced materials:  👉 *what happens to composite products at the end of their life — especially wind turbine blades?Julia explains Afterwind’s approach to true recycling of glass‑fibre composites, why consistent quality at scale is the missing link for circularity, and how recycling solutions developed for wind can be transferred to construction, automotive and boating.🔍 Topics covered in this interview:• What “true recycling” really means — beyond landfill and incineration  • Mechanical vs. chemical recycling and current technology readiness levels • Why scaling secondary raw materials is essential for manufacturers  • The real challenges of recycling 66‑metre wind turbine blades  • How Afterwind builds stable, cross‑industry feedstock streams  • Why the boating industry is a critical next frontier — and why it’s complex  • Julia’s role as Chair of two ECCA Working Groups (Industrial & Recreational, Construction)  • Why ECCA is not just an initiative — but a movement for European industry  • From collaboration to responsibility: how circularity actually gets implementedAbout the contextThis conversation was recorded during the **European Circular Composites Alliance (ECCA) General Assembly in Brussels — a milestone event bringing together industry, policymakers and innovators to shape a circular future for composite materials in Europe.Composites Lounge is a proud supporter of the ECCA movement, and this interview is part of our ongoing effort to highlight people who turn **vision into industrial action**.YouTube Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJq-16E8Je0

The International Composites Summit (ICS) enters a new era – and the industry is watching.In an exclusive conversation, Ilkay Özkisaoglu sat down with Gemma Hardy, Managing Director of The Fluency Business Group and the driving force behind ICS, to discuss what makes the 5th edition of ICS (2–3 December 2025 at The Drum Wembley) a strategic turning point for the global composites community.“ICS came straight out of Covid in 2021,” Hardy recalls. “We’re now moving to Wembley for our fifth edition – a bold step that reflects our ambition to create a truly international platform.”Hardy emphasizes that ICS is leaner, more agile, and laser-focused on industry needs:“We’ve moved away from big stands. This year, it’s all about equality and interaction – curated pods, high-level content, and networking that matters.”What’s on the Programme?More: https://lnkd.in/dHPWZJQaThe ICS Conference Forum is the intellectual heart of the summit, tackling critical challenges and opportunities across the composites value chain. Expect strategic presentations, provocative panels, and global voices, including:Chris Skinner (Owens Corning Composites) – Strategic Marketing & R\&D insightsGinger Gardiner (CompositesWorld) – Chairing a fiery sustainability debateMarcy Offner – Industry legend on communication and growthNEOM – Visionary perspectives on The Line and future construction in Saudi ArabiaAnd yes, automation and AI take center stage:Ilkay Özkisaoglu will chair the panel “Are We Automating People Out of Composites – or Not?”This discussion promises to be one of the most polarizing sessions of ICS 2025, exploring how digitalization and machine learning are reshaping skills, processes, and the human role in manufacturing.Why ICS MattersHardy is clear: “The UK has a significant part of the global supply chain. ICS is about putting the UK on the map while connecting international OEMs, Tier 1s, and innovators. It’s a hub for collaboration and growth.”The venue, The Drum at Wembley, offers world-class facilities and festive vibes:“Imagine discussing composites under glass ceilings with Christmas lights outside Wembley Stadium,” Hardy says. “It’s going to be magical.”Don’t Miss the Networking EveningOn 2 December, join the ICS Networking Event at The White Horse, Wembley – just steps from the summit venue.Limited to 100 tickets, this relaxed evening includes a welcome drink and festive Christmas buffet – the perfect way to unwind and build connections before the year ends.👉 Secure your spot now✅ Final Call: Register for ICS 2025 and be part of the conversation shaping the future of composites.🎟 Free entry for the summit | Register here https://lnkd.in/eYZSTiPB🍽 Networking Dinner | Book your ticket https://lnkd.in/eftymWecYouTube Episode: https://youtu.be/bhdGXsR1qtg

Engineering meets sustainability at METSTRADE: Lessons from Gurit’s bio‑based epoxy journeyAt Metstrade on RAI Amsterdam—the world’s leading B2B hub for the leisure marine sector—Composites Lounge sat down with Philip Aikenhead (Head of Sales EMEA, Gurit) to explore what “sustainable resin solutions” actually means when boats must survive UV, salt, shock loads and repairs over decades. The takeaway: sustainability is moving from pilot talk to disciplined engineering practice.Philip was also a panelist on the JEC Panel on innovation at Metstrade hosted by Éric Pierrejean, CEO of JEC and you can listen to the podcast on our Youtube playlist (Link in the Comment) and soon an any podcast app.What changed?Formulation first, slogans second.Gurit has reformulated key epoxy portfolios (Prime™ infusion, Ampreg™ laminating) so that bio‑content is now standard—while retaining marine-class certifications and processing windows that builders already trust. In parallel, Gurit emphasizes low-toxicity chemistry (CMR- and SVHC-free hardeners) and recycled PET cores, tying material choices to LCA-backed CO₂ reduction rather than anecdotes.Reality checks that matter to engineersApplication fit: Bio‑based epoxies are thermosets—great for high-end and semi‑structural parts, auxiliaries (hardtops, passerelles) and repairs; they drop into existing vacuum infusion and wet‑lam processes without exotic tooling.Environmental durability: Gurit validates against UV and saltwater aging, aligning with service-life realities rather than lab-only claims.Fire: IMO compliance remains a system-level problem; think liners/barriers and careful additive strategies—not silver bullets baked into every resin.Why this matters nowMarine programs are increasingly measured on embodied carbon and operator safety—without sacrificing weight, cure control, or classification. Gurit’s approach—incremental CO₂ cuts at industrial scale—is exactly how complex fleets transition: pragmatic chemistry, compatible processes, auditable data.This week at boot Düsseldorf: Composites Lounge will be on site to cover the composites agenda led by European Boating Industry (EBI) at the Blue Innovation Dock on 22 January 2026.Engineers—what questions should we ask on bio‑based epoxies, cores, and recyclability?Drop them in the comments, and follow for real‑time insights.See you at JEC World 2026: Composites Lounge will also visit Gurit to track how the bio‑based and low‑toxicity roadmap evolves into new marine‑grade solutions. Let us know if you want a materials deep‑dive or booth‑side walkthrough.YouTube Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tho5TYvB8j4

🔴 BREAKING | Manufacturing Innovation in Marine & CompositesAt Metstrade Amsterdam, on the JEC Group booth, a quiet but important announcement was made.During an on‑site interview for Composites Lounge, Dr. Tahira Ahmed revealed the upcoming launch of Morphing Technologies — a new machine‑building company set to debut at JEC World 2026 (Paris, 10–12 March).This is not about morphing products.This is about morphing the manufacturing process itself.From one‑off tooling to shape‑programmable productionMorphing Technologies is introducing a fully automated adaptive mould system that changes shape directly from a 3D CAD file.Instead of machining a new mould for every curved composite part, one reconfigurable mould can generate an unlimited number of geometries.👉 For engineers, this directly addresses:One‑off and low‑volume composite productionCurved and organic geometries (marine superstructures, yacht interiors, façade panels)Tooling waste, storage, lead time and embodied CO₂At launch, the system will be demonstrated with a 1.2 × 1.2 m mould at JEC World 2026, showing extreme singly and doubly curved shapes live on the booth.Engineering fundamentals (no buzzwords)The morphing mould system is based on:A digitally actuated pin‑bed architecture with a continuous interpolation surfaceDirect CAD‑to‑mould translation (minutes, not weeks)Tolerances suited for structural and semi‑structural applications (±1–2 mm, geometry‑dependent)Compatibility with thermosets and low‑ to mid‑temperature thermoplasticsApplicability beyond polymers: GRC, concrete, curved glassIn short: manufacturing flexibility without retooling.Marine engineering lives at the intersection of:Curvature‑driven structural efficiencyLow production volumesLate design changesHigh tooling cost per partMorphing Technologies targets exactly this gap — replacing CNC‑milled, single‑use moulds with reusable, programmable tooling.The sustainability impact is process‑driven: ✅ no disposable moulds✅ no tooling storage✅ dramatically reduced waste upstream of the partLeadership that understands production reality Morphing Technologies is led by Dr. Tahira Ahmed:Aeronautical engineer (Imperial College London)PhD in composites (TU Delft)~25 years across thermosets, thermoplastics, automation and hands‑on manufacturing and Chair of CompositesNLThis is not conceptual R&D.This is production‑grade manufacturing engineering.📍 Event: JEC World 2026📅 Date: 10–12 March 2026📌 Location: Paris Nord Villepinte🏗 Exhibitor: Morphing Technologies🔢 Booth number: to follow soonAt Composites Lounge, we look for innovations that change how composites are made, not just how they are marketed.YouTube Episode: https://youtu.be/DKeABHdbEYE

🇵🇱 Polen auf dem Sprung – Wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit mit Deutschland im FokusIch hatte die große Freude, beim JEC Forum Central Europe 2025 mit Tomasz Salomon, Deputy Director im polnischen Ministerium für wirtschaftliche Entwicklung und Technologie, über die Perspektiven der deutsch‑polnischen Wirtschaftsbeziehungen zu sprechen.📌 Hintergrund: Wenige Tage vor unserem Gespräch fand in Berlin das Polnisch‑Deutsche Wirtschaftsforum statt – eröffnet vonKatherina Reiche, Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Energie (Deutschland)Andrzej Domański, Minister für Finanzen und Wirtschaft (Polen)Im Fokus standen zentrale Themen: Energiekooperation, Wettbewerbsfähigkeit der Industrie, Investitionen. Mit Blick auf Energiethemen war außerdem der neue polnische Energieminister Miłosz Motyka relevant.Was Tomasz Salomon sagt – und warum es zähltPolen bleibt Top‑Standort für deutsche FDI – und schaut zugleich nach Westen„Polen ist seit Jahren ein attraktives Land für deutsche Investoren … und wir rechnen mit weiterem Wachstum. Gleichzeitig sehen polnische Unternehmen Deutschland als Sprungbrett für den westeuropäischen Markt.“Diese Beidseitigkeit ist der Hebel: Deutsche Unternehmen profitieren von Polens Tempo und industrieller Tiefe; polnische Firmen nutzen Deutschland als Tor in EU‑Märkte.Wettbewerbsfähigkeit Europas als gemeinsame Aufgabe„Europa muss konkurrenzfähig sein … und mindestens in einigen Industrien Top‑Niveau halten.“Appell für Joint Ventures, Co‑Investments und Skalierung in Zukunftsfeldern (Energie, Materialien, Mobilität, digitale Produktion).Sicherheit & Resilienz: Energie, Verteidigung, Medikamente„Nicht nur Verteidigungsindustrie, sondern auch Energiefragen und der Zugang zu kritischen Medikamenten sind lebenswichtig.“Versorgungssicherheit wird zum Wirtschaftsthema Nr. 1. Wer Material‑ & Energieeffizienz verbindet, Lieferketten diversifiziert und Dual‑Use‑Innovationen beherrscht, gewinnt.Ich freue mich über diese klare, partnerschaftliche Botschaft – und darüber, wie stark Polen performt.🔗 Das vollständige Interview jetzt hier und in Kürze auch auf den Composites Lounge YouTube und Podcast Kanälen Deiner Wahl.Wo seht ihr die schnellsten „Quick Wins“ in der D‑PL‑Zusammenarbeit – Energie, Mobilität, Defense, Gesundheit, Digitale Fertigung?👉 Besucht den Polish Pavilion auf der JEC World 2026 in Hall 5, Booth 5G142 – Andrzej Czulak vom Polish Cluster of Composite Technologies / Polski Klaster Technologii Kompozytowych und auch ich bin vor Ort und vernetze gern!YouTube Episode: https://youtu.be/d-HXnB3Zp6w

Polen zeigt Stärke! Auf dem JEC Forum Central Europe 2025 wurde klar: Der polnische Composites-Markt spielt eine Schlüsselrolle in Europa – und die Reise geht weiter.In meinem Interview mit Andrzej Czulak, Präsident des polnischen Clusters für Composites Technologies, sprachen wir über die Highlights der letzten Tage:✅ Zielgerichtete Businessmeetings – direkte Kontakte statt zielloser Besuche.✅ Deutsch-polnische Kooperationen – von Green Deal bis Hightech-Lösungen.✅ Positionierung des polnischen Marktes – stark, innovativ und wachsend.Andrzej gab auch einen Ausblick:📌 JEC World 2026 in Paris – der polnische Cluster präsentiert sich international.📌 Kompozyt Expo + Drone Security Show in Krakau – Synergien zwischen Composites und Defense/Drohnen-Technologien.Die Botschaft ist klar: Polen ist bereit für die Zukunft der Verbundwerkstoffe.👉 Besuche den Polnischen Pavillon auf der JEC World 2026 in Paris!📍 Stand: Hall 5, Booth 5G142Lerne die führenden Köpfe und Innovationen kennen, die Europas Composites-Landschaft prägen.YouTube Episode: https://youtu.be/BDvSjHpxzdQ

This LinkedIn Live-on-Tape Event is primarily an audio Podcast and about: “Natural Fibers, Bio-Based Resins & Circularity – The Future of Marine Composites”What happens when the marine industry meets sustainability head-on? This exclusive LinkedIn Live-on-Tape brings together visionary leaders shaping the next era of composites—from natural fibers to bio-based resins and circular design strategies. If you care about innovation, performance, and reducing CO₂ footprints, this is the conversation you cannot afford to miss.Meet the Panelists:*  Host: Eric Pierrejean – CEO, JEC Group Driving global composite innovation and sustainability initiatives, including JEC World’s Circularity Village.* Paolo Dassi – Bcomp LtdPioneering natural fiber solutions for marine and automotive sectors, blending aesthetics with performance.* Marcus Kremers – Eve ReverseRevolutionizing production chains with discrete-length natural fibers and bio-based resins for maximum efficiency.* Philip Aikenhead – Head of Sales EMEA, Gurit Championing bio-based epoxy systems and LCA-driven sustainability in marine composites.*  Nicolas FORDOS – AirbusLeading the charge in repurposing aerospace-grade carbon fiber for marine applications—turning waste into high-value innovation.Brought to you by Composites Lounge and Ilkay Özkisaoglu – Co-Founder, Composites LoungeKnown for igniting conversations that matter across Europe’s composites and sustainable materials industry.Why should you join?Because the stakes are high. From IMO fire standards to end-of-life strategies, from local sourcing of flax and hemp to repurposing Airbus A380 prepregs into racing yachts, this panel uncovers the breakthroughs that will define the marine industry’s sustainable future.You’ll hear real-world case studies, market insights, and bold predictions—straight from the experts driving change. Plus, discover why JEC World 2026 in Paris will be the epicenter of circularity and innovation.✅ Don’t just read about the future—be part of it.Join this LinkedIn Live and position yourself at the forefront of marine sustainability. Seats are virtual, but the impact is real.YouTube Episode: https://youtu.be/RhBaqQDG1Tk

What does true circularity in composites look like? How do we move from ambition to implementation? This exclusive LinkedIn Live-on-Tape session, hosted by Alexander Guillet (JEC), brings together a powerhouse panel of innovators and industry leaders who are shaping the future of sustainable composites.Meet the Panelists:* Marina Palumbo Cardella – European Boating Industry (EBI): Advocating for a greener marine sector and driving the roadmap for end-of-life boats.* Raphael Pleynet – EUCIA: The architect behind the European Circular Composites Alliance (ECCA), uniting 170+ members to accelerate circularity.* Guillaume Perben – Composite Recycling: Scaling up technologies to recover glass and carbon fibers and close the loop.* Fabio Bignolini – nlcomp by Northern Light: Pioneering thermoplastic composites for next-gen sailing boats.* Norbert Sedlacek – Innovation Yachts: A legend in ocean racing, now leading the charge for fully recyclable yacht design.Europe is on the brink of a paradigm shift. With the Circular Economy Act expected in 2026, the pressure is on to rethink design, production, and end-of-life strategies for composites. From marine to wind energy, from startups to global OEMs, the message is clear: sustainability is no longer optional—it’s the new competitive edge.What You’ll Learn:* How regulatory frameworks like the Circular Economy Act will reshape the industry.* Why collaboration across the entire value chain is critical.* Real-world examples of recycling technologies and thermoplastic innovations.* How alliances like ECCA are creating momentum for systemic change.This isn’t just another panel—it’s a front-row seat to the future of composites. Hear candid insights, bold visions, and practical steps from those who are making it happen. If you care about sustainability, innovation, and the business opportunities they unlock, you can’t afford to miss this.* Join us at JEC World 2026 in Paris and visit the Circularity Village to see these innovations up close.* Sign the ECCA Declaration at <https://www.eucia.eu> and become part of Europe’s most dynamic circularity movement.* Press “Participate” now to secure your spot for this livestream and be part of the conversation that will define the next decade of composites.The race toward circularity has started. Will you be in the lead—or left behind?YouTube Episode: https://youtu.be/9PCea1YdT5Y

In a follow‑up to Composites Lounge’s short conversation with Jacek Kasz—who previewed KOMPOZYT-EXPO® 2026 in Kraków alongside a parallel DRONE SECURITY EXPO (DSE) 2026—Piotr Placha, Export Support Department expert at the Polish Investment and Trade Agency (PAIH), offers a sober, business‑focused view on dual‑use technologies and why they are increasingly central to European industry.His perspective: dual‑use is not a niche—it’s a reality shaping markets and regulations.What is dual‑use?Placha defines it simply: any technology serving both civilian and defense purposes. Think industrial drones—monitoring crops one day, securing borders the next. Or counter‑drone systems, where composites enable lightweight, high‑strength airframes for BVLOS missions. Even everyday products—ready‑to‑eat meals, cut‑resistant uniforms—can cross into dual‑use territory.Why is this delicate?Dual‑use spans regulated and non‑regulated categories. Export controls apply to some cybersecurity tools or defense‑grade equipment, but many items remain commercially open. For SMEs, the nuance lies in documentation, compliance, and understanding where civilian ends and defense begins.The NATO shift:Geopolitical changes have opened doors for small and medium enterprises. NATO now actively seeks innovative solutions from startups and SMEs, maintaining one of the largest databases of suppliers. For composites players, this means opportunity—if you can prove performance and interoperability.Why composites matter here:Lightweight structures, advanced resins, and additive manufacturing are critical for drones, trailers, and protective gear. The intersection of materials engineering and security tech will be front and center at Kraków’s October 2026 events:KOMPOZYT‑EXPO® (7–8 Oct 2026) – Poland’s flagship composites fair.Drone Security EXPO (7–8 Oct 2026) – BVLOS demos, counter‑UAS simulations, and expert panels.And before Kraków, the global stage:🇵🇱 Poland debuts its first national Pavilion at JEC World 2026, Paris, 10–12 March. Meet the Polish ecosystem at Hall 5, Booth 5G142. If you’re working at the intersection of composites, UAS, and dual‑use, this is your chance to connect.***Already covered in this series Anna BoczkowskaMirko FillerDr. Andreas FreundPiotr Plachastill to be releasedTomasz SalomonAndrzej Czulakand many more from the Fall/Winter 2025/2026 #Composites360OnTourYouTube Episode: https://youtu.be/VufqmdhldIA

We’re keeping the spotlight on Central Europe’s composites community. In a short on‑site conversation at JEC Forum Central Europe in Kraków, Jacek Kasz—who leads the Center for Technology Transfer at Politechnika Krakowska (Cracow University of Technology)—points to a compelling 2026 horizon: the KOMPOZYT-EXPO®® will return to EXPO Kraków on 7–8 October 2026, and a Drone Security EXPO will run in parallel, showcasing live BVLOS flights and counter‑UAS demonstrations.What stands out in Jacek’s remarks is the research depth behind Kraków’s ecosystem—and the people driving it:• Prof. Joanna Ortyl (CUT) brings world‑class photochemistry to 3D printing and photopolymerization, bridging lab innovation with industry via photoinitiator spinoffs.• Prof. Agnieszka Sobczak‑Kupiec (PK) connects materials engineering with regenerative medicine, leading multi‑partner projects like BiLaTex on laser‑textured Ti/HAp implants.• Prof. Bozena Tyliszczak (PK) advances biomaterials and drug‑delivery systems, with a prolific portfolio and broad international collaborations.• Prof. Krzysztof Pielichowski (CUT) is a reference in polymer thermal analysis, phase‑change materials, and nanocomposites, shaping both academic and industrial practice. • KOMPOZYT‑EXPO® (7–8 Oct 2026) remains the region’s largest composites platform—materials, processes, applications—serving buyers and suppliers across mobility, energy and construction. Read More: kompozyt-expo.pl• DRONE SECURITY EXPO (7–8 Oct 2026) adds an engineering‑heavy layer:BVLOS trials, neutralization simulations, and expert dialogues with regulators, military, police, and industry—relevant for dual‑use composite structures and UAS airframes, too. Read more: dronesecurityexpo.plAnd before that, in March—get ready for the world stage:🇵🇱 Poland will debut its very own national Pavilion at JEC World 2026, which takes place in Paris from 10–12 March 2026. This marks a major milestone for Polish composites, and you can meet them at Booth 5G142 (Hall 5)YouTube Episode: https://youtu.be/NBIF02BzV3U

Poland’s Composite Revolution: From Research Labs to JEC World 2026Why is Poland making headlines in composites?At the first-ever JEC Forum Central Europe 2025 in Krakow, Composites Lounge spoke with Prof. Anna Boczkowska from the Warsaw University of Technology, a pioneer in materials science and engineering. Her insights reveal why Poland is becoming a strategic hub for advanced composites.Engineering Highlights from Warsaw University of Technology:Natural Fiber Integration: Basalt and hemp fibers are being engineered for wind turbine blades, reducing environmental impact while maintaining structural integrity.Surface Engineering for Longevity: Advanced coatings deliver ice-phobic and low-wettability properties, critical for aerospace and energy applications.Recycling Innovation: Modified recycled carbon fibers are achieving near-virgin performance, enabling circularity in high-performance composites.Bio-Composites Future: Combining bio-resins with natural fibers to create fully sustainable composite systems for automotive, transportation, and construction sectors.Natural fibers not only reduce weight and cost—they actively absorb CO₂ during growth, offering a negative carbon footprint. Many originate from agricultural waste, turning by-products into high-value engineering materials.Poland is stepping onto the global stage as a first-time exhibitor at JEC World 2026!📍 Visit the Polish Pavilion at Hall 5, Stand 5G142 to explore cutting-edge research and industrial applications driving sustainable composites forward.YouTube Episode: https://youtu.be/cX9zszbutSo

Where Insight Meets IndustryThe International Composites Summit Conference Forum is the intellectual heart of the summit, designed to address the most critical challenges and opportunities facing the composites industry today.This dedicated conference programme run across both days of ICS 2025 and delivered a rich mix of strategic presentations, panel debates, and expert insights spanning sectors and technologies.This year’s event featured a powerful line-up of global industry leaders, including Vice Presidents of Strategy, Marketing and R&D, Technical Editors of Media Outlets and Lead Material Engineers from international industry and construction.Composites Lounge was invited to contribute with a special panel on automation titled: "Are we automating people out of composites?"The title promised lively interaction and it was nothing short of it in the end. Watch the panel as a LinkedIn Live on Monday, 5 January 2026 at 10am CET (9am BST/UTC).Composites LoungeCREATINGSUSTAINABLEVALUEYouTube Episode: https://youtu.be/SsK-vEiQuR4