#Composites

2024-03-07

Discover the JEC Composites Startup Booster 2024 winners

In a few years, JEC Composites Startup Booster has become a reference for entrepreneurship in the composites industry worldwide. Each year after an application process, 20 startups, with groundbreaking projects using composite materials, are selected to join JEC World stage and pitch before a panel of expert judges.

This contest gives a unique opportunity to the participating startups as well as the international audience of JEC World to get some inspiration, network and foster business collaboration. Two exciting pitches sessions took place on March 5th and, after deliberation of the jury, 3 winners have been announced:

Category “Products & Materials”

ZILA BioWorks (USA)

Category “Process, Manufacturing & Equipment

TechnoCarbon (France)

Sustainability Prize

BioHalo (Danemark)

ZILA BioWorks (USA)

Industrial Bioplastics for a Circular Carbon Economy

ZILA has developed a patented bio-epoxy resin for use in industrial composites, coatings, and adhesives. We have identified clear steps to a 60% reduction in carbon footprint compared to petroleum-based epoxies. And our vitrimer technology can help manufacturers deal with the end of life of their products. ZILA formulates our bio-resin systems so manufacturers can adopt without any retooling.

TechnoCarbon Technologies (France)

Building the future of sustainable high performance composites materials with its patended innovation: CarbonFibreStone

TechnoCarbon designs, develops, manufactures and sells components and systems made of the first sustainable, ultra-low-carbon composite material to outperform steel and reinforced concrete. Our patented technologies enable deep decarbonization, lifetime extension, weight and environmental footprint reduction.

BioHalo (Denmark)

The Biohalogenation Company

Our mission is to introduce bio-based materials that serve as safe, eco-friendly and high-performance replacements for harmful PFAS.

The jury who deliberated on March 6th included representatives from major manufacturers and investors:

Jelle BLOEMHOF, Head of Composites Manufacturing Technologies, AIRBUS
Karl-Heinz FUELLER, Manager Future Exterior & Materials, MERCEDES-BENZ
Rebecca RAVENNI, Program Manager and Investment Analyst, TECHSTARS SUSTAINBAILITY PARIS
Florent ILLAT, Head of Safran Corporate Ventures, SAFRAN
Chris SKINNER, Vice-President of Strategic Marketing and R&D, OWENS CORNING

On the day of the selection of the 20 finalists, Jelle Bloemhof, Head of Composites Manufacturing Technologies at Airbus, states: “Supporting this competition gives us the ability to identify innovations early in the key area of composites that we would not otherwise discover. JEC Startup Booster is just the first step toward broader collaboration opportunities. It facilitates an introduction between participants and industry end-users, providing the opportunity to engage directly and discuss. The diversity of ideas is inspiring, and we look forward to continuing our partnership.”

“Once again this year, the list is exciting and covers a wide range of technologies. Observing the constant improvement and innovation in both technologies and applications is fascinating. They not only reflect industry trends but also play a major role in shaping them. This is significant for us as partners and for JEC World, as it is a rich source of inspiration and opportunities,” says Chris Skinner, Vice-President of Strategic Marketing and R&D at OWENS CORNING.

JEC World 2026 reveals the list of finalists for the Innovation Awards

Each year, the JEC Composites Innovation Awards recognize collaborative, innovative, and ambitious projects that illustrate the potential of composite materials. Created in 1998, this benchmark program aims to identify, promote, and reward the most innovative composite solutions worldwide. In 28 years, the JEC Composites Innovation Awards have attracted more than 2,200 participating companies from around the world. A total of 269 companies and 811 associated partners have been recognized for the excellence of their innovations.

Launch of the first JEC Forum Middle East

JEC is proud to announce the signature of a strategic collaboration agreement with the OSP and IFC Promosalons, the representative of JEC in the region. The major agreement aims to organize a series of events dedicated to Composite Materials held in Saudi Arabia for the first time in the Middle East starting in June 2025. The events will facilitate the creation of opportunities for local and international companies and accelerate the adoption of sustainable materials across multiple industries in the region.

JEC World 2025: a record-breaking 60th edition driven by innovation and circularity

After 3 dynamic days of intense business interactions, expertise sharing, and knowledge exchange, the 60th edition of JEC World 2025 has reaffirmed the pivotal role of the composites industry in building a more sustainable future. Under the unifying theme “Pushing the Limits,” the event showcased the extraordinary versatility and innovation of composite materials that continue to redefine lightweighting, performance, and design possibilities for an increasing number of applications.

MEL Composites and Carrocerías Ayats collaborate on lightweight composite window frames

MEL Composites is proud to announce its ongoing collaboration with Spanish bus and coach manufacturer Carrocerías Ayats, showcasing the benefits of advanced composite technologies and scalable manufacturing processes originally developed for the sporting goods sector. The joint development of lightweight composite window frame covers demonstrates how MEL’s process innovation can be successfully transferred to the transportation industry to meet new regulatory and performance goals.

Mimaki demonstrates versatile, simple TRAPIS textile printing at Heimtextil 2026

Mimaki’s textile pigment transfer printing system, TRAPIS, is able to print on a diverse range of fabrics - unlike traditional processes - including natural fibres and synthetic fabrics. The full solution will be shown on Mimaki’s booth (Hall 3.0 Stand A97), as the company returns to Heimtextil to showcase its advancements in sustainable, high quality and efficient textile printing.

The Technology Hub for global denim trends: ITM 2026

The ITM 2026 International Textile Machinery Exhibition, to be held at the Tüyap Fair and Congress Center in Istanbul from June 9–13, 2026, brings together groundbreaking technologies in denim production. From smart production systems to eco-friendly raw materials, from digital washing solutions to laser effect technologies, innovations that will shape the future of denim will be showcased for the first time at ITM 2026.

38th International Cotton Conference Bremen: Let´s Talk about Cotton!

The 38th International Cotton Conference Bremen, to be held on 25-27 March 2026 in Bremen’s parliament building on market square, once again sends a powerful signal for professional excellence and international dialogue. The focus is on the latest market trends and technical innovations throughout the entire value chain – from agriculture and quality assurance to processing and the circular economy. With its high-calibre speakers, the conference remains an indispensable forum for anyone involved in shaping the cotton industry scientifically, technically, or economically.