In a Q&A session, JEC World’s organisers JEC Composites reveal what visitors can expect to see at this year’s show, held from 5-7 March 2024 at the Paris Nord Villepinte Exhibition Centre.

Leading players from the four corners of the world are getting ready to reunite at JEC World. The international tradeshow dedicated to composite materials, their manufacturing technologies and application markets is all set to take place in Paris, the capital of composites from March 5-7, 2024. The event will welcome the entire community in a spirit of innovation, business and networking.

Q) How do you expect the show to grow this year and what are your targets for the 2024 event?

The show is growing in the numbers of exhibitors, and also in square metres, which means that our attendees will be able to connect with new exhibitors, discover new products and explore new markets. We have seen significant growth from all sectors of the value chain and from all the geographic areas. In terms of attendance, our aim is to exceed the one of JEC World 2019, which was our best year ever!

Q) In terms of visitor, exhibitor targets and countries represented, what are you hoping to achieve at this year’s show?

The main goal, each year is to get the whole composites community together: all countries, all sectors, all parts of the value chain. It is a challenge, but it is also the best way to build the future of our industry.

In 2024 we are expecting more exhibitors (1,300), including new international pavilions, and more visitors (43,500) officialising the arrival of new countries: Egypt, Georgia, Serbia, or strengthening the presence of traditional participating countries such as Germany, Belgium, Spain, US and France.

Q) Does this year’s event have a particular theme?

As in 2023, sustainability leads the way. It is what triggers nearly all the innovation and projects in the industry today. We want JEC World’s programme to dig deeper, highlight all these initiatives and inspire new audiences.

Q) What are you anticipating from UK-based companies attending and can they still build strong partnerships with international companies?

The UK is still one of the most important countries at JEC World in terms of exhibitors. This proves how much companies are determined to build business connections internationally. Among them: Cygnet, GKN, Hypetex, Scott Bader, Sigmatex or B&M Longworth, recently selected as finalist of the JEC Innovation Awards. The UK Pavilion, organised by Composites UK, will also be a thriving business hub.

Q) Industry 4.0 is increasingly being talked up. What is your take on this philosophy and will there be much evidence of it at the show?

Data, smart manufacturing, automation and digitalisation are now key drivers in the industry. The need to produce faster, with constant quality, and optimising resources can address both profitability goals and aspirations to produce in a more sustainable manner. A specific session on Thursday will focus on this and enlighten delegates on how these topics can also contribute to more sustainable manufacturing. 

Q) How will the aerospace sector be represented at the event, conference programme and Innovation Planet?

Aerospace will be the main topic of one of three end-user applications conferences – a format that had been greatly appreciated by JEC World’s participants in 2023. The theme: ‘Beyond Boundaries: Composite Materials Shaping the Aerospace Industry’ on March 6th at 2:00 pm. 

It will cover the challenges faced in the adoption of composite materials in the sector, such as certification processes, manufacturing scalability, and cost considerations, as well as the initiatives developed to reach sustainability goals.

Q) What composites manufacturing projects and programmes excite you the most at present?

One of the most important evolutions for me comes from recycling and the opportunities offered by second generation materials (i.e. recycled materials that are made available to produce new parts). These second generation materials are driving the costs of composites lower and enabling composites materials to be competitive in programmes and projects where they might have not been before. This will open new doors for companies from the industry and will support the adoption of composites worldwide.  

Q) In terms of additive manufacturing, what kind of representation do you expect to see from the likes of key players like Thermwood and CMS this year?

The Live Demonstration Area will be the place to be to witness live machines and processes demonstrations. A ‘first’ at JEC World. Four companies: MVP, Aerovac Composites One, Thermwood and Roctool will be presenting processes during up to twenty 30-minutes sessions over the three days of the show. It will include resin transfer moulding injection, heating and cooling technologies, large scale additive manufacturing and vacuum moulding.

This, of course, will be on top of the hundreds of demonstrations that always take place at the show on exhibitors’ booths. In 2023, our team was able to witness a few of these ‘daily demonstrations’, we are expecting the same buzz in 2024.

Q) Who is the ‘country on stage’ this year?

There will be three of them: Belgium, Italy and France. It is exciting news because these three countries are very dynamic and have a lot to share about their local composites industry. There will be one Country on Stage session each day, at 10.00am.

Q) And what can visitors expect from the forum and conference programmes - what are the chosen topics this time around?

As mentioned, sustainability is a main topic – therefore four dedicated conferences will take place, covering: Recyclability, Lightweight, Bio-based materials, and Sustainability through digitalisation. Three end-user applications will be discussed over round tables: Aerospace, Wind Energy and Ground Transportation.

Finally, a conference that will be more than fitting at this time of the year: Women in Composites, which, each year, highlights the active involvement of women in the composites industry and how they are contributing to the development and growth of the advanced materials markets.

Q) Finally, what is the importance of JEC World for the sector and what are its main aims?

The composites industry is fuelled by the passion and enthusiasm of its stakeholders. There are new ideas, new solutions, new markets developing every day in every application sectors. JEC World provides a global platform for professionals, researchers, and industry leaders to network, share ideas, and foster collaboration, facilitating the exchange of knowledge and promoting partnerships within the composites industry. The event plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of composite materials and driving the adoption of composites across all end users industries.

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