CF3D Systems: Continuous Composites More than Doubles Its Capacity to Support Defence Efforts
Continuous Composites has moved to a 17,000‑square‑foot facility in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, more than doubling its production footprint. The new site supports its CF3D technology—continuous carbon and glass fiber thermoset composites—allowing the company to produce five times more components for aerospace and defence customers. Enhanced space also expands systems integration, engineering, and collaboration with government, industry and academic partners. CEO Steve Starner says the scale is essential to meet warfighter needs.
Vitality and Transformation Are the Common Denominator of the Chinese Exhibitors
Chinese exhibitors at JEC World 2026 highlighted a wave of innovation and capacity shifts in the composites sector. Zhengzhou Zhongyuan Technology introduced Suncell™, a wood‑based engineered fibre that rivals flax in strength and E‑glass in stiffness, targeting automotive composites. Inner...
The UK Harnesses Digital Technologies for High-Rate Composite Manufacturing
At JEC World 2026, leaders from the UK and French aerospace composites sectors convened at the British Embassy in Paris to deepen bilateral collaboration. The event showcased UK innovators such as Cygnet Texkimp, iCOMAT and Loop Technology, highlighting high‑rate automated...
HRC Supports First Flight of DreamFly DF3000 “Youlong” Hybrid Tiltrotor
China’s DreamFly, with engineering and manufacturing support from HRC, achieved the maiden flight of its DF3000 “Youlong” hybrid tiltrotor eVTOL. The tonne‑class aircraft has a maximum take‑off weight of 3,175 kg, can carry up to 600 kg, and boasts a 1,000‑km range....
Italian Composites Industry Showcases Strength and Innovation
Persico, a family‑run Italian composite maker celebrating 50 years, unveiled Smart 1.2—a compact, ready‑to‑use rotational moulding system that eliminates the traditional oven and dramatically reduces footprint. The electrically heated moulds allow immediate operation, easy transport and installation in space‑constrained sites,...
French Equation: An Ecosystem at Work
JEC World 2026 underscored a decisive shift in composites from pure performance to industrialisation, demanding stable, repeatable, data‑driven processes with circularity baked in as a contractual norm. France emerged as a dense ecosystem of SMEs delivering the essential building blocks—process...
![[Startup Story] Lios’ Contract with ESA Renewed for €2 Million](https://hixhlmpcokxhartfkpyi.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/images/thumbnails/f439e07d6c6fdb54c103c40af975d07e.webp)
[Startup Story] Lios’ Contract with ESA Renewed for €2 Million
Dublin‑based Lios has secured a second renewal of its contract with the European Space Agency, receiving nearly €2 million (about $2.2 million) in co‑funding under the Future Launchers Preparatory Programme. The deal funds Phase 3, which will scale production of the company’s acoustic...
![[Startup Story] BIWI Aims to Build a New European Hub for Advanced Composites in Switzerland Following the Acquisition of 9T...](https://hixhlmpcokxhartfkpyi.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/images/thumbnails/dc77983faf94dc9103b022142e98e361.webp)
[Startup Story] BIWI Aims to Build a New European Hub for Advanced Composites in Switzerland Following the Acquisition of 9T...
Swiss materials maker BIWI SA has purchased the assets of Zurich deep‑tech start‑up 9T Labs, acquiring its Additive Fusion Technology (AFT), 40 industrial machines and a portfolio of 22 patent families. 9T Labs, which raised over CHF 20 million (≈ $22 million) before liquidation,...
Aligned Recycled Carbon Fibre in Production at Lineat
Lineat Composites has moved its proprietary Aligned Formable Fibre Technology (AFFT) from lab to commercial scale, operating a low‑volume line in Chepstow that now produces 150 square metres of aligned recycled‑carbon tape per day. The tape mimics virgin unidirectional carbon while...
France: Engie Delivers on Its First Two Offshore Wind Projects
Engie, through its Ocean Winds JV with EDP Renewables, has completed two key offshore wind milestones in France. The 500 MW EMYN fixed‑bottom farm off Vendée is now fully operational, delivering power for roughly 800,000 households. The 30 MW EFGL floating pilot...
Eirik Løhre Appointed Permanent CFO of Hexagon Composites ASA
Hexagon Composites ASA announced that Eirik Løhre has been appointed permanent chief financial officer, transitioning from his interim role that began in 2021. Løhre previously served as executive vice‑president of corporate development, where he oversaw strategic initiatives and acquisitions. The company...
Construction Sector: Kerakoll Partners with Fibre Net
Kerakoll, the Italian public‑interest construction group, has announced a partnership with Fibre Net, a B‑Corp‑certified leader in structural reinforcement systems. The two firms will integrate gradually, keeping Fibre Net’s founders as CEOs, to create a European platform targeting more than...
Diehl Aviation Reports Strong Progress at New Production Facility in Romania
Diehl Aviation announced that its new production facility in Craiova, Romania, will move in during summer 2026, with full aircraft‑component production slated for autumn 2026. The plant will start with about 75 employees and scale up to 500 as output...
Evonik Opens New PEEK Rectangular Magnet Wire Lab in China
Evonik has opened a dedicated PEEK rectangular magnet‑wire laboratory in China to serve the fast‑growing new‑energy‑vehicle (NEV) market across Asia. The facility will focus on research, formulation validation, and reliability testing of Vestakeep® PEEK solutions for electric‑drive motor applications. It...
JEC Composites Magazine N°168: An Overview of the Latest Trends in the Composites Market
JEC Composites Magazine issue 168 spotlights the latest global trends in the composites market, covering Europe, the United States, China and India across aerospace, automotive, defence, energy and construction sectors. The edition highlights two dominant themes: sustainability—ranging from natural fibres to...