Composites for Europe EN

November 10 – 12, 2020
Exhibition Centre Stuttgart, Germany
Sign up now
Composites
for Europe 2020.
The Business Summit for Composites.
composites-europe.com

The Futu
is

re
now
More than just a trade fair.
Composites for Europe 2020
is a multidimensional event.

Developments in the
composites market.
High growth rates, an agile market which holds plenty
of opportunities, and ever-increasing production volumes.
The full potential of composite materials has yet to be
unleashed.
Innovative solutions and automated production processes
which are centred around fibre-reinforced plastics can
be used in a wide range of applications – especially in
the construction & infrastructure, automotive, aviation,
commercial and rail vehicle manufacture industries as well
as in the sports and leisure sector. And the potential is
growing. The circular economy, too, is gaining in significance.
The global increase in the total volume of composite production
reinforces the positive image of the sector and its growing
importance within industry. Germany has long been regarded
as the leading market in Europe, especially in terms of
production volumes.
04

Our
Vision:
Composites for Europe is a business summit for processors,
users, technology leaders and research & development experts
working in the composites market in Germany, Austria and
Switzerland. It is both a networking platform and a showcase
which combines inspiration, information and solutions in the
application of composite materials. Composites for Europe
showcases the global strength and engineering skills of SMEs.
Our primary targets include product developers, engineers,
designers as well as business and research managers.
Where the industry
meets:
Developers
Engineers
Processors
Technology leaders
Design engineers
Managers
Research managers
Users
Experts
05

Interview with Dr Michael Effing
Managing Director and founder of AMAC GmbH, Aachen, and Chairman of the Board
of AVK Federation of Reinforced Plastics, Frankfurt
How important are companies from the D-A-CH (Germany,
Austria, Switzerland) region for the global composites
market? The D-A-CH region is the world leader in the
production of machinery and equipment for the composites
industry. Many manufacturers of presses, injection moulding
machines, robotics, handling systems, etc. come from
Germany and Austria in particular. The D-A-CH region
accounts for one third of composites production in Europe,
with the main focus on the automotive, aerospace and wind
energy sectors. Exhibitors from the D-A-CH region are keen
to showcase their products to their global customers at
Composites for Europe.
What important trends does your association currently
see within the composites industry? And what exciting
new applications will there be for composites in the
future? Thermoplastic composites such as LFT, GMT, tapes
and organosheet should definitely be mentioned here. They
can be used to produce complex components cost-effectively
in highly automated systems, for example in hybrid moulding.
Bio-based materials will continue to grow in importance.
Fibre-reinforced additive manufacturing is also opening up
new business areas.
The hype over carbon composites for mass production in
automotive engineering has receded because of the high
costs. Nevertheless, I see great opportunities for high-performance
SMCs based on carbon fibres. These fibres can come
from recycled materials in the aviation industry, for example.
SMC is the key technology here, accounting for 25 % of the
total European GRP market volume. It’s currently experiencing
new growth, e. g. in battery housings for e-vehicles.
06
I also see new and promising applications in Smart Mobility
Solutions (e-scooters, e-bikes, e-carts, drones, etc.), in the
furniture industry and in the construction sector, e. g. for
prefabricated houses, which already account for 25 % of new
detached houses.

An important topic within the industry – and thus also
at Composites for Europe – is the circular economy.
What role does this play for the companies and what
developments does your association see here?
Sustainability and the circular economy are becoming
increasingly important issues for the composites industry’s
customers and thus also for the industry itself. Sustainable
composite production has been one of the key issues being
addressed by the AVK over the last ten years. An AVK
working group created a Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) tool for the
composites industry, which is now used throughout Europe.
AVK is working on circular economy solutions in all relevant
national committees (via the Gesamtverband Kunststoffverarbeitende
Industrie – GKV in Germany) and throughout Europe
(via the European Composites Industry Association – EuCIA).
AVK supports and is a member of the worldwide Circular
Plastics Alliance.
Like many other sectors, the composites industry also
includes a number of young, highly innovative companies.
What exciting new projects or approaches do you see in
these start-ups and how can these companies and their
solutions be successfully integrated? AVK spreads the
word about start-ups’ innovative solutions, and provides
support on the journey towards market-readiness. The AVK
Innovation Awards have been presented for a number of years
now for this purpose. Recognised throughout the industry,
they are presented annually at Composites for Europe. The
Dutch company CEAD, which pioneered the development of
CFAM technology (Continuous Fibre Additive Manufacturing)
in 2017, was the winner of an Innovation Award in 2019.
CFAM enables high-speed 3D printing of continuous fibrereinforced
products on a large scale.
A further example is the ITA Institute of Textile Technology
at RWTH Aachen University, which was awarded first prize
in the “Research and Science” category in 2018 together
with the ILH Institute for Lightweight Construction with Hybrid
Systems (University of Paderborn). The prize was awarded
for its “Novel hybrid yarn: coating of all glass filaments in
the spinning process to produce a glass thermoplastic fibre”.
The start-up company FibreCoat was founded from this in
Aachen in 2019.
How important are digitalisation and automation for
companies? Automation and digitalisation have already made
clear inroads into composite production in the aerospace,
automotive and wind energy industries because of their cost
efficiency and quality assurance benefits. Companies in the
D-A-CH region are pioneers in this global market, too.
Digitalisation has not yet made much of an impact in many
small and medium-sized companies in the traditional GRP
industry.
There are shortages of skilled employees in nearly all
sectors of the economy. How do you view this with
regard to the composites market and what support does
your association offer – including at this event? This is
also of major importance in the composites industry, of
course. In comparison to the plastics industry, which has a
poor reputation among potential university graduates and in
the teaching professions on account of plastic waste and
“marine litter”, composites are seen to have a positive impact
on the environment with their high-tech image and their
contribution to weight reduction, resource conservation and
their positive influence on the CO 2 footprint. This has raised
their appeal for university graduates. But most important
for our industry is the training of qualified technicians and
machine operators. We all – including the association – have
to do much more here.
You are a partner of Composites for Europe. What role
does this event play for companies in the D-A-CH region
and how do you rate the new event format? Composites
for Europe is the number one composites exhibition in the
largest market and therefore the most important event for our
industry, alongside the JEC world exhibition, which is held
every spring. The CE takes place every autumn. AVK is a
partner of Composites for Europe and actively contributes
to its success. We have joined forces to design a new format
which integrates the AVK congress programme into the
exhibition. Trade fair participants have free access to
the impulse talks which we offer on four platforms during
Composites for Europe. On Thursday, our up-and-coming
entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to present their
innovations to visitors in a poster session at the trade fair.
The next edition of the AVK Innovation Awards ceremony will
certainly be a highlight here. Young university researchers
and renowned industrial companies alike are eligible to enter
their innovations for these awards.
Composites for Europe
is the largest composites
trade fair in Germany –
Europe’s largest market.
07

National
presence,
global
impact.
Composites for Europe 2020, the Business Summit
for Composite Materials, is the number one platform
for the D-A-CH region. And there are plenty of other
reasons for taking part.
08

10,000 m² ~ 200
floor space
exhibitors
2
presentation areas
1
Start-up area for
young companies and
innovative ideas
4
Process-Live areas
300 m²
Eat & Connect Area
for refreshments and
networking
Guided
tours
09

These are the four
main topic areas.
01
Flexibility, security and conservation of resources are
the main priorities in this area. Be it in the automotive
industry, in aviation or in commercial and rail vehicle
construction.
New, innovative and versatile materials are of particular
importance in the composites market. Discover them
for yourself.
10
02
It would be no exaggeration to say that fibre
composites have revolutionised the sports industry.
The materials can be light, resilient, rigid, elastic,
flexibly mouldable, weather-resistant etc., and can
therefore be used in a whole range of applications
such as racing bikes, swimwear or golf and hockey
sticks. An exciting topic at Composites for Europe 2020.

As one of the principal application fields, the
construction industry offers enormous growth
potential for the composites sector. Not least
because of the wide range of application possibilities
for the materials. Their corrosion resistance, their
largely maintenance-free status, their load-specific
design possibilities and the non-conductivity of
electricity and temperature play decisive roles.
Find out more.
03
Social aspects such as climate protection, “green
tec”, waste avoidance, reusability and sustainability
are also decisive factors in the composites market.
When it comes to the future of industrialisation,
digitalisation also plays a major role.
04
11

Our exciting programme.
Get to know our varied formats.
Process Live
The Process Live areas feature demonstrations
of innovative automation processes.
Eat & Connect
The refreshment area covers over 300 m² and has
plenty of space for discussions and networking in
a relaxed atmosphere. This area is also the location
of the CE Afterwork Night.
Highlights
Four main themes, four highlights.
Companies can showcase their exhibits here.
12
Start-up area
This area provides a platform where young
companies can present their products and
their ideas for the future.

Tour station &
matchmaking
All information on exhibiting companies and products
can be found at the tour station.
The matchmaking Lounge invites you to an intensive
exchange of ideas in a relaxing atmosphere.
CE Afterwork Night
10 November 2020
An evening that provides inspiration and a glimpse into
the future of the CE industry. The guest speaker is the
highly respected trend researcher, author and speaker
Adjiedj Bakas.
The keynote speech will be followed by the presentation
of the AVK Innovation Awards 2020 for fibre reinforced
plastics (FRP)/composites in the following categories:
Innovative Products/Components or Applications
Innovative Processes and Procedures
Research and Science
Impulse Forums
You are entitled to take part in a total of two innovative
Impulse Forums. Here you can present your company
and your products by holding keynotes, talks and panel
discussions, or can find out more about the latest
developments and trends in the composites industry.
Worthwhile conversations and the chance to relax
while enjoying a flying buffet and music round off
the evening.
13

The Exhibition Hall.
New event format, new structure.
Process Live Start-up area Eat & Connect Impulse Forums Tour station &
matchmaking
Highlights
Stands
BOULEVARD
14

Attending the business summit
will be ...
70
International guests from
countries
85 % decision makers
53 % looking to invest
A clear advantage for exhibitors: The Composites for
Europe 2020 visitors come from the business summit’s
main topic areas, have a keen interest in composites
and often arrive with clear purchasing goals in mind.
Don’t miss this opportunity.
Breakdown
of visitors:
32 %
17 %
09 %
24 %
18 %
from research, development
and design
Other
(e. g. business development,
purchasing, product management)
from manufacturing, production
and quality control
from business, corporate
and operational management
from sales
and marketing
Why
Stuttgart?
one of the most economically
powerful regions in Europe
leading competence centre
for mobility in the world
one of the strongest research
locations in Europe in the automotive,
aerospace and mechanical engineering
fields and in the development of
new materials and environmental and
energy technology
15

Prepare to be impressed!
The benefits for exhibitors.
Why it’s worth taking part in Composites for Europe 2020
as an exhibitor? There are many reasons why it’s worthwhile
for you, your company and your entire team.
Your
benefits
Composites for Europe 2020 is not only held within the
most lucrative composites market in Europe, it also offers
high-calibre contacts and a diverse range of visitor groups.
The business summit is therefore a showcase for information,
solutions, inspiration and future topics.
Live
communication
In addition to the regular stand areas, you will also have
the opportunity to present your company and your products
in the form of keynotes, talks and panel discussions at
two innovative impulse forums aimed at raising your profile
and promoting your own brand development. Process Live
and other presentation areas can also be used for showcasing
exhibits.
16
Discussions
and matchmaking
From initial contact to contract signing. A dedicated matchmaking
area and over 300 m² for catering and networking in a
relaxed atmosphere (e. g. the CE Afterwork Night) are perfect
for developing joint ideas and for making, consolidating and
expanding new contacts within a high-calibre group of trade
visitors.
Interested in booking a
package? All information is
available on our website at
https://www.composites-europe.com/
exhibitor

We rely on strong partners.
Stronger together.
Our long-standing partnerships allow us
to achieve great things together,
to expand our know-how and to offer
integrated solutions.
Parallel to
Composites for Europe:
17

Any questions?
Get in touch.
Alex Schurmann
Senior Sales Manager
Composites for Europe
T +49 211 901 91-347
M +49 152 227 88 381
alex.schurmann@reedexpo.de
Natali Grosman
Junior Sales Manager
Composites for Europe
T +49 211 901 91-351
M +49 152 032 543 63
natali.grosman@reedexpo.de
18

See you in
Stuttgart.
Photo: Stuttgart Exhibition Centre
approx. 600,000 inhabitants
170 different countries
Over 14,000 new patents per year
Roughly 26,000 students
More than 600 “Stäffele”*
* Swabian for “stairs”
19

04/20
Designed by
Composites for Europe
10 – 12 November 2020
Location Opening hours Organiser
Stuttgart Exhibition Centre, Hall 9
Eingang West (West Entrance)
Messepiazza 1
70629 Stuttgart
10 – 11 November 2020
09:00 – 17:00
12 November 2020
09:00 – 16:00
Reed Exhibitions Deutschland GmbH
Composites for Europe
T +49 211 90191-306
Völklinger Straße 4, 40219 Düsseldorf
composites-europe.com
composites-europe.com/socialmedia
#wearecomposites