Composites sector bullish on Asian market

JEC highlights carbon, aeronautics, thermoplastics, transportation, bio-based materials, MRO, marine and offshore, as well as wind energy at the annual JEC Composites & Show in Singapore.The 6th edition of JEC proved once again the event’s importance in the Asia-Pacific’s composites sector and as a gathering place where professionals can network and share knowledge on this fast-growing segment. The expanded number of events, conferences and activities held during the three-day show is a reflection of the dynamic Asia Pacific market which has increasingly turned into composites as materials of choice for many applications.

JEC is a custom-made event for the Asia-Pacific region. It is meant to attract key players and professionals into one major event. The content and the setting of the event are totally adapted to the local and international needs of various business groups and organisations. “The Asian market is a strategic market for the industry. Indeed, in 2012, out of an estimated €83 billion global composites market, €29 billion is generated in Asia-Pacific, i.e. 36 percent of the market against 34 percent in America and 23 percent in Europe” said Frédérique Mutel, JEC’s president and chief executive officer.

In volume, 41 percent of the global composites production is done in Asia-Pacific versus 32 percent in Americas and 20 percent in Europe. This reflects the major place that holds the region in the worldwide market and the growing interest from local participant as well as visitors and exhibitors from western countries.

This year Innovative Composites Summit topics tackled issues, developments and trends that directly concerned the Asian markets. The Aeronautics conference, with full audience, brought up composites“from the design to the maintenance of the aircraft” whereas the Carbon Conference dealt with “Advancements in the industry and various applications”. Other papers such as “green projects in Composites” or “the rise of composites in Wind Energy” have also attracted delegates from many countries in spite of the unprecedented air conditions in Singapore due to the haze.

In this edition was the first successful partnership between JEC and TUM Asia. The commonly organised conferences have brought complementarity in the content presented. For the first time, a marine offshore and oil & gas conference has been presented to the audience along with a thermoplastics/transportation conference.

The JEC Innovation Awards presented 16 trophies to advanced innovations along with a Life Achievement and a student Award. The ceremony was honoured by the presence of no less than 9 Ambassadors or High Commissioners representatives from Australia, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Spain, Taiwan and Turkey.

Concurrently, in the technical postersarea, 40 posters presenting the breaking innovations and know-how that enable the composites materials industry to progress daily were shown to the public and live demos took place on the exhibition floor.

JEC Asia 2013 was also the stage where VCAMM Limited (Australia) and MAI Leading Edge Cluster (Germany) signed a M.O.U., sealing their collaboration in common researches that will help industry participants and research centers in the field of carbon fibre manufacturing research and development.

This year’s event was the perfect occasion for JEC Group to officially launch its new offices with permanent staff in Singapore. The dedicated team on site “will be better able to understand local market expectations, develop synergies and partnerships and better support the promotion of composites on the Pacific markets”says Mrs. Mutel.

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