Exploring What JEC World 2024 Has to Offer

The 2024 JEC World exhibition for composite materials and their applications, to be held March 5-7, is gearing up for success. The conference program will emphasize both the challenges of the industry as a whole and specific application sectors, particularly in the fields of wind energy, aerospace, and transportation. The show is expecting 43,500 visitors to attend, hosting key players in the global composites industry around a rich and rallying program.

Over 49 countries represented among 27 international pavilions are converging on the Paris Nord Villepinte convention center located in Villepinte, France. Several countries are boosting their presence at the event, including Germany, Austria, Belgium, China, South Korea, the United States, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Switzerland and Turkey.

Exhibiting are industry leaders such as 3M, Airbus, Daher, Hexcel, Mitsubishi, Owens Corning, Porchers Industries, SGL Technologies, Solvay, Teijin Carbon and Toray Advanced Composites. Also, 116 new exhibitors are set to join the event, including ACCIONA Construcción S.A., BÜFA Composite Systems, ExxonMobil, Geiss® AG, Kaon Polymer and Sealants Co., Ltd. and Sekisui aerospace.

Sessions to Note

The program is full of thought leadership, including panels on circularity. “Unleashing the Power of Nature: Exploring Natural Fibers and Bio-Sourced Materials in the Composites Industry” explores opportunities associated with the supply chain of these natural resources and with integrating natural fibers and bio-sourced materials into existing manufacturing processes and products; “Composite Materials and Sustainable Transportation” sheds light on how lightweight and durable materials are reshaping the landscape of transportation; and, “Revolutionizing Composites: The Benefits and Challenges of Using Recycled Materials” presents a dynamic landscape of recycled materials, exploring the benefits and challenges associated with incorporating them into com posite products, and future im pacts on manufacturing.

Another discussion, “Com petitiveness and Innovation in the French Composites Indus try Through the ‘France 2030’ Relaunch Plan,” are two panels sessions that include experts from the office of the French Prime Minister (the General Secretariat for Investment, SGPI) and the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS). They highlight the “France 2030” relaunch plan advanced policy, and the project’s plan for the new generation of recyclable composite components and government support for R&D, and talent development.

Manufacturing has a panel discussion, with “Composites Manufacturing 4.0: Unlocking Efficiency and Sustainability Through Automation & Digitalization” exploring technological revolutionization of manufacturing with the integration of automation, robotics, and digital technologies ushering in unprecedented efficiency, precision, and cost-effectiveness to composite production processes.

Preshow Priming the Pump

On March 4, a unique pre-show event is being hosted by JEC, “Composites: Shaping the Future of Low Carbon Construction.” The recent introduction of composite-related building codes in the United States, coupled with similar measures underway in Europe, now provides architects and structural engineers with clear guidelines for the use of composite materials in both exterior and interior building structures. These efforts could tackle construction to meet the needs reported by the World Economic Forum, that estimates by 2030, three billion people will need access to adequate, affordable housing.

These opportunities are accompanied by a growing focus on all aspects of composites-related sustainability. Two roundtables on reducing carbon emissions and new standards are central to the discussions, as well as various workshops during the half-day event.

Award Finalists Honored

The JEC Composites Innovation Awards recognize initiatives and collaborative efforts within the composites industry.

From the 33 finalists, one winner will be selected in each of the 11 categories: Aerospace – Parts, Aerospace – Process; Automotive & Road Transportation –Parts; Automotive & Road Transportation – Process; Building & Civil Engineering; Circularity & Recycling; Digital - AI & Data; Equipment, Machinery & Heavy Industries; Maritime Transportation & Shipbuilding; Renewable Energies; and Sports, Leisure & Recreation.

The awards ceremony are February 8, in a live broadcast on www.jec-world. events/program/innovation-awards. www.jec-world.events