• Increasingly low-key assessment of business situation
• Slight increase in positive expectations for the future
• Somewhat subdued investment situation
• Growth drivers developing at different rates
• Composites Index still at low level

This is the fourteenth time that Composites Germany (www.composites-germany.org) has identified the latest KPIs for the fibre-reinforced plastics market. The survey covered all the member companies of the three major umbrella organisations of Composites Germany: AVK, Composites United and the VDMA Working Group on Hybrid Lightweight Construction Technologies.

As before, to ensure a smooth comparison with the previous surveys, the questions in this half-yearly survey have been left unchanged. Once again, the data obtained in the survey was largely qualitative and related to current and future market developments.

Please read here the full press release.

In-depth insights into the GRP market will be presented this year at the beginning of the fifth ICC during Composites Europe 2019 in Stuttgart. Dr Elmar Witten from the Federation of Reinforced Plastics (AVK) will start with an overview of market developments and trends in Europe and the world. His presentation will be followed by a close look at the composites market in the United Kingdom, this year’s guest country of the ICC. Sue Halliwell from Composites UK and Nigel O’Dea from Lucintel will present facts and figures of the fibre-reinforced plastics market and will also explain the most essential trends and specific features of the composites market in the UK. Next, there will be a close look at the market in the United States. Dan Coughlin from the American Composites Manufacturers Association (ACMA) will present an overview of the market in one of the world’s biggest economies and will also look at the trends of the future.

One major trend will then be outlined by Dr Christine Eisenmann from the DLR Institute of Transport Research in her keynote presentation on automobility from the perspective of transport research. On average, people in Germany are covering half of all journeys by car, and the market is currently still growing, although it is in a continuous state of flux. This leads to opportunities that need to be grasped. Dr Christine Eisenmann will be discussing current research based on a range of key concepts, such as automated driving, electric vehicles, renewable fuels and car sharing schemes.

After the joint start of this year’s conference, delegates can choose between two thematic areas: Building & infrastructure and New Mobility/Transportation. The second day will focus on thermosets and thermoplastics as well as process technologies and bio-based composites. The third day will conclude the conference with talks on regulations and new applications. Thanks to the new concept of ICC 2019, there will be many opportunities to leverage synergies from the trade show that is held in parallel. For example, applications can be shown in practice, thematically guided tours can be conducted around the trade show, and, in particular, it will be possible to chat and network with others.

Further details about the conference and the various options for taking part can be found at: www.composites-conference.com

Please find here the press release pdf file.

From material requirements in “New Mobility” and in the construction sector to progress in the large-scale production of composites components to new markets: the International Composites Conference 2019 will inject fresh impetus for innovation into the market. From 10 to 12 September, the industry meeting will bring together processors and users of fibre-reinforced plastics from across Europe in Stuttgart. New: the conference will take place concurrently with the COMPOSITES EUROPE trade fair this year. The lecture programme, which is designed by the trade association Composites Germany, and the trade fair are moving closer together as well when it comes to the topics covered.

Please read here the full press release.