JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #114 - July 2017 - 21

construction BUSlNESS

New potential for composite technologies
in buildings and infrastructure
Lukas kaLt, Technology Consultant,
Conbility GmbH
thoMas WeiLer, Group Manager, Aachen
Center for Integrative Lightweight
Production (AZL) of RWTH Aachen
University
dr.-inG. MichaeL eMonts, CEO, Aachen
Center for Integrative Lightweight
Production (AZL) of RWTH Aachen
University, Divisional Chief Engineer,
Fraunhofer IPT
dr.-inG. kai Fischer, Divisional Director,
Production Technology, Aachen
Center for Integrative Lightweight
Production (AZL) of RWTH Aachen
University, Scientific Director,
Institute of Plastics Processing (IKV)
at RWTH Aachen University

T

he general perception of
composite
applications
is focused on the replacement of metal structures in the
mobility-driven markets of automotive and aerospace. The key
incentives for the development
and usage of composite components in these fields are the reduction of weight and higher specific material strength and stiffness
in order to improve vehicle characteristics and save fuel, and thus
help reduce costs and comply
with legal regulations. But a high
strength-to-weight ratio is not
the only potential benefit promised by the usage of composites.
The diverse advantages beyond
lightweight design, for example chemical resistance and low
thermal expansion, in combination with traditional benefits, offer fascinating opportunities for
additional markets.

The building & infrastructure market provides various opportunities and potential applications for composite components. The AZL Aachen GmbH initiated
a joint market and technology study entitled "New Potentials for Composite
Technologies in Buildings & Infrastructure" to investigate market conditions,
technology specifications and production improvements. A consortium gathering
more than 25 companies and the researchers of the Aachen Centre for Integrative
Lightweight Production (AZL) of RWTH Aachen University are working hand in
hand to identify future drivers and business opportunities for composite applications as part of a proven and systematic study structure.

Significance of the B&I market
The construction of buildings
and infrastructure offers high potential to identify systems and
components for a novel usage of
composite structures. The construction sector is already a major
sales market for the present fibre
production. In 2014, buildings
and infrastructure accounted for
one third of the European glass fibre market and nearly one fourth
of the global carbon fibre market.
Furthermore, the market will

benefit from a two-way development in the future: On the one
hand, the accelerated development of production and material solutions (technology push)
and on the other hand, a global
change of market requirements
and a growing demand for innovative solutions (market pull).
According to the Construction
Intelligence Centre, in addition to
the growing market share of composite applications, the entire
B&I market expects continuous

growth based on the megatrends
of a growing global population,
ageing buildings and infrastructure in developed countries and
a major demand for new structures in developing and emerging countries. These potential applications provide a broad field of
future opportunities for composite technologies in the building &
infrastructure market.
The AZL study's approach
In order to implement a systemat-

Fig. 1: Share of B&I in the fibre market

N°114 July 2017 /

jec composites magazine

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Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #114 - July 2017
