JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #36 - October 2007 - 18

BUSINESS Market survey: Germany Entrepreneurial resolve leads to Carbon Composites, a non-profit organisation Facing strong demand and technological competition, several companies in Southern Germany with an interest in carbon fibre composites decided to join together and create an association to help them pursue their development. I n the area of carbon-fibre and fibrecomposite technologies, industry and research in Southern Germany are wellpositioned on the international scale. Objectives and tasks To further strengthen this position, the non-profit association Carbon Composites aims to systematically network with experts from science and industry; bundle competencies; expand and further develop the technological infrastructure at industrial and scientific levels; engage in joint public relations and joint technology marketing; and promote training and qualification systems. Another objective is to represent the collective interests of members in the political arena. Augsburg. The non-profit association will work actively to enlist new members from the industrial and scientific sectors, in particular small and medium-sized businesses. Note that Carbon Composites was an initiative of the region’s enterprises and not of the federal or local government, although the association was later successful in obtaining support for the project. Its member diversity is a reminder of the topical interest and the crucial importance of carbon fibre when it comes to international competition. German innovation In the absence of major raw-material deposits, the only resources that enable Germany to secure a global leadership position are its knowledge and its innovation capability. Creating innovation and implementing it in serial products means a chance to enter new markets and create jobs. As an effective way to reduce structural weight and hence energy consumption, carbon-fibre and fibre-composite technology can lead to production innovation.But the concentration of major capacities in those technologies in individual European regions could result in structural disadvantages for Germany. This could be offset through broader networking and expanding the content of Germany’s existing base of industrial and scientific expertise. The energy challenge Intelligent use of energy is one of the greatest challenges of the 21st century. Consistent lightweight construction is a valuable approach to reducing energy consumption. Growing raw-material consumption and the associated growing demand for primary energy sources have a negative impact on the climate and also lead to stiffer competition among economies on the global raw-materials and energy markets.In the international field of carbon-fibre and fibre-composite technologies, research and development skills are being focused increasingly on individual regions, which will affect German economic policies in the short to medium term. Founding members Carbon Composites brings together renowned companies and research institutions. Members have the opportunity to consolidate innovation by closely linking industry and science, and seek to further utilize this potential to improve their own economic resources.The founding members are: EADS Military Air Systems, Eurocopter, KUKA, MT Aerospace, SGL Group, Stuttgart University, Augsburg University, DLR Stuttgart, Chamber of Industry and Commerce for Swabia, and the City of Prospects The changes we are facing in the global situation, i.e. the scarcity of raw materials and energy resources coupled with a strong increase in demand for them, clearly indicate that there is an urgent need to control the future use of energy in an intelligent manner. Carbon Composites can make a major contribution to that end. JEC Composites Magazine / No36 October - November 2007

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JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #36 - October 2007

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