#Composites

2024-06-20

JEC Forum Southeast Asia successfully connects over 200 industry leaders

The inaugural edition of JEC Forum Southeast Asia, held on June 11-12, 2024, concluded with resounding success, bringing together over 200 participants from 23 countries for two days of focused networking, collaboration, and knowledge exchange. Organized by JEC in partnership with the Thai Composites Association (TCA), the event served as a valuable platform for key stakeholders in the composites industry across Southeast Asia.

“JEC is thrilled to have brought the successful formula of our business meetings events to Southeast Asia,” reflected Anne-Carole Barbarin, Regional Events Director at JEC. “The event’s strong turnout and engagement underscore the region’s rapid growth and the timeliness of convening industry leaders to explore collaboration and innovation in composites.”

“The Thai Composites Association is proud to have partnered with JEC to bring this important event to Southeast Asia,” said Dr. Natchai Naviroj, President of Thai Composite Association. “JEC Forum Southeast Asia provided a valuable platform for local companies to connect with regional and international partners, fostering collaboration and driving innovation within the composites industry. We look forward to continuing this successful partnership and building upon the momentum generated by this event.”

Building connections, fostering innovation

JEC Forum Southeast Asia facilitated over 300 pre-arranged business meetings, creating significant opportunities for suppliers and buyers to connect and explore new business partnerships within the region.

Industry experts share insights

The Forum featured a dynamic program addressing the most pressing issues and exciting opportunities facing the composites sector in Southeast Asia. With a focus on innovation and sustainability, attendees participated in insightful sessions, engaging panel discussions, and exclusive networking events.

The program included keynote presentations from industry leaders like BMW Cars or CTC (an Airbus Company), who provided valuable insights into the transformative impact of composites in the automotive and aerospace sectors. Additionally, panel discussions explored key topics such as Sustainability contributions of composites in the automotive industry, The role of composites in drones, R&D and collaboration in composites or Building the future with composites in architecture.

Exclusive Composites Tour

Following the Forum, attendees had the opportunity to participate in an exclusive Composites Tour on June 13th. This tour provided firsthand access to leading composites facilities in the region, including Cobra International, Qarbon Aerospace, and Carbon Magic (Thailand) Co. Ltd.

JEC Forum Southeast Asia proved to be a resounding success, fostering valuable connections, driving knowledge exchange, and propelling the composites industry forward in Southeast Asia. The event provided a unique platform for stakeholders to collaborate and explore the immense potential of composites in this dynamic region.

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 delivers advanced hull infusion for Técnico Solar Boat’s hydrogen-powered São Gabriel 01

MEL Composites has reinforced its partnership with Técnico Solar Boat through the successful hull infusion of the São Gabriel 01, an 8m long, 2.4m wide, hydrogen-powered hydrofoiling vessel. Designed to compete at the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge in July 2026, the São Gabriel 01 is the team’s most technically demanding project to date and showcases the future of sustainable marine engineering by combining advanced composite manufacturing with clean energy systems.

“Action helps us change what we do!”

DAY 0 takes place deliberately before PERFORMANCE DAYS begins. It is conceived as a space for reflection, dialogue and active engagement — a moment to pause before the fair, rethink established systems and address sustainability not as a trend, but as a fundamental transformation challenge. Under the guiding metaphor “Turn the Tap Off”, DAY 0 focuses on root causes rather than symptoms, systemic change rather than isolated solutions, and collective responsibility rather than individual silos.

Pets in fashion: functional and sustainable textiles find new market at Intertextile Apparel

China’s pet economy is booming, especially amongst younger generations, and pet apparel – from designer outfits to functional garments – was a RMB 3.5 billion (over USD 500 million) market in 2024, growing more than 20% annually¹. To help exhibitors harness this trend, Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics – Spring Edition 2026 will launch the Pet Boutique, presenting a range of innovative, sustainable materials that prioritise both functionality and comfort for pets.

VAUDE eliminates PFAS from all products

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are now detectable worldwide – in drinking water, soil and the human body. These so-called “forever chemicals” are considered hazardous to health and potentially carcinogenic, as they do not break down and remain in the environment permanently. Despite these risks, PFAS are still used in a wide range of products. More than 15 years ago, VAUDE made a strategic decision to gradually eliminate PFAS from all product categories.

Lenzing AG to become majority owner of TreeToTextile AB and accelerates industrialization of new fibers

The Lenzing Group is taking another strategic milestone by acquiring a controlling majority in the Swedish innovation company TreeToTextile AB. This step strengthens Lenzing’s position as a leading provider of sustainable, wood‑based specialty fibers and expands its innovation pipeline with a highly scalable, patent‑protected technology platform. The transaction is executed through the issuance of new shares.