#Composites

2020-06-18

Hans-Christian Früh appointed new Project Manager of Composites for Europe

New name, new concept and a new face: Composites for Europe, previously COMPOSITES EUROPE, is now also re-pitching itself in personnel terms. Dr. Ing. Hans-Christian Früh will become the new Project Manager of Composites for Europe, to be held as a business summit for composites in Stuttgart from 10 to 12 November. The 35-year old succeeds Daniel Schäfer who will rise to another professional challenge.

“Hans-Christian is a composites man through and through. His CV reads like he is “re-engineering personified” at Composites for Europe,” says Goetz-Ulf Jungmichel, the Event Director in charge of materials trade fairs organised by Reed Exhibitions Deutschland. This, he adds, is specifically due to his broad-based thematic background in diverse composite applications and to his feel for challenges in this industry.

Hans-Christian Früh, who studied mechanical engineering and aviation and aerospace technology at RWTH Aachen, comes with expertise that predestines him for this new task. Born in Mülheim Früh received his doctorate for a thesis on automated handling in composites production. In parallel, Früh headed the research department “Automated Composites Production”.

Here research focused on the automation and digitization of composites. His research activities were accompanied by international industry projects in the fields of automotive and aerospace. At the same time, Früh with a passion for aviation and music, worked on projects for electrically propelled aviation devices and carbon-based musical instrument making.

Hans-Christian Früh (c) 2020 Composites Europe

Fewer pores, greater impact tolerance: Peter Dornier Foundation Prize 2026 honours material research on fibre-reinforced composite components for aerospace industry

Microscopically small pores that form during manufacture, or barely visible impact damage, can severely impair the load-bearing capacity and service life of fibre-reinforced composite components. Two young researchers have presented groundbreaking work in this field and will both be awarded the 2026 Peter Dornier Foundation Prize: Dr.-Ing. Benedikt Neitzel from the Technical University of Ilmenau for his doctoral thesis on pore minimisation in the RTM process, and Johanna Buschmann, M.Sc., for her master’s thesis, completed at the German Aerospace Centre, on the improved impact tolerance of 3D fabrics compared to 2D laminates.

JEC Forum Southeast Asia 2026 highlights Taiwan as a strategic hub for the global composites industry

The third edition of JEC Forum organized in Southeast Asia brought together 350+ participants from 22 countries for three active days of high-level Business Meetings, conferences, and networking, emphasizing Southeast Asia’s growing role in the global composites market. Held for the first time in Taipei from 23 to 24 June 2026, following the successful first editions in Bangkok, JEC Forum Southeast Asia 2026 confirmed its position as the region’s leading business platform dedicated to the composites industry.

MEL Composites supports ELA Aviation with advanced composite materials

MEL Composites is supplying advanced composite materials and process consumables to ELA Aviation for the production of its next-generation gyroplanes. The collaboration underlines MEL Composites’ growing role in advanced aerospace mobility, providing lightweight materials designed to improve aircraft performance, manufacturing efficiency and structural reliability.

Greater efficiency for tomorrow’s textile industry

From September 24 to 27, 2026, Barmag, together with BB Engineering (BBE), will present innovative solutions for the efficient and sustainable production of synthetic yarns at the Egy Stitch & Tex Expo in Cairo, Egypt. Under the motto “A New Era. Powered by Innovation.,” experts from Barmag and BBE will present technologies spanning the entire textile value chain — from melt to yarn — at the ATAG Ltd. booth (Hall 1, Booth C1).

Asia's premier fashion event CENTRESTAGE officially has kicked off

Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government, CENTRESTAGE, Asia’s annual premier fashion event and a flagship programme of the third edition of Hong Kong Fashion Fest, officially opened today at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC). Running for four consecutive days until 5 September, the exhibition is open free of charge to both industry buyers and the public, and invites all to immerse themselves in the unique allure of Asia's fashion capital.

Global cotton production projected to outpace consumption, but risks remain

Global cotton production is projected to reach 26.2 million tonnes in the 2026/27 season, marginally outpacing estimated consumption of 25.9 million tonnes. However, early-season production risks — including weather volatility and pest pressures — could narrow that buffer as the crop progresses, according to the September 2026 issue of Cotton This Month, published by the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC).

European textile industry calls for €10 handling fee on ultra-fast-fashion imports

The introduction of the €3 customs duty on low-value imports marks an important milestone in Europe’s efforts to address the challenges created by the rapid growth of ultra-fast-fashion imports. Together with the abolition of the €150 customs duty exemption, it demonstrates that policymakers are willing to act when market distortions become impossible to ignore. However, the European textile and clothing industry considers this a first step rather than the final destination.