Composite Europe growth faster than expected

During the opening of Composite Europe Show in Essen (September 23-25 2008) Europe’s Brussels-based composites industry association president Volker Fritz, gave an overview about the association’s performance on the 3 strategic pillars GROW (provide and support activities to grow the COMPOSITE market ), KNOW ( collecting and distributing knowledge and Education to increase the internal performance of COMPOSITES), SHOW (contribute and influence legislation and registration to have a smooth trading environment in the COMPOSITE industry) during an important year of changes.

COMPOSITE Europe reflects growth in COMPOSITE Industry

Fritz appreciated very much the work for the COMPOSITE EUROPE. In only 2 years, Eucia and Reed Exhibition were able to attract more than 250 Exhibitors from almost 20 Nations to show their performance in COMPOSITES. The Fair present COMPOSITES on more than12000 qm and shows at least 3000 products. This reflects the dynamic growth of the market and the willingness to compete with other materials.

The Fair expands not only in numbers but also in structure. Biomaterials and CFK COMPOSITES participate for the first time at a significant scale. Also these industry segments have shown continuous improvement in terms market penetration due to their improved cost/performance ratios and new implementing new technologies.

EuCIA and COMPOSITE Industry receives EU funding

The European Union distributed in 2007 and in 2008 funds for Technology, Education, Materials and other interesting industrial projects. Following the KNOW strategy, Eucia has asked the European COMPOSITE Industry (12 requests in total) to participate and support industrial projects throughout Europe. So far, the EU has approved 2 Pan European projects. Hopefully, further projects will be approved within the next few days. “Our Role in these projects is very important. We act as the ‘marketing arm’ of the project. Eucia will be the communicator and the distributor of information. This enables us, to distribute the industrial findings directly to our industry and make sure, the COMPOSITE Industry can share the information” Fritz said.

Further COMPOSITE organizations joined Eucia

EuCIA as the lobbying arm of 15.000 COMPOSITE Companies in Europe, were more than 100.000 employees work with COMPOSITES, has launched many activities in 2008, to achieve an acceptable definition of COMPOSITE Recycling and Waste Management in Europe. A lot of input has been given into the European Commission with close collaboration of our partners EuPC, Plastics Europe and the Member states. The SHOW - part of the strategy was an essential factor finally to convince new Members and sector groups (e.g. European Alliance for SMC and BMC) which actively joined the organization.

In all this respect, 2008 can be seen as another success story for this organization. All strategic pillars whether they were - Grow, Show or Know - were performed results and brought benefits to our industry.

‘This was possible due to the high and intensive contribution of the Member States and the Sector Groups within the organization. They demonstrated the ability to innovate the organization, while retaining the affection of our members, who have been loyal to us for a large part of our history’ added Volker Fritz. ‘We will continue to strengthen our support for the industry through our network and through the provision of information and advice, liaison, networking, dissemination and communication’.