JEC Composites Magazine

Globally, the use of composites in personal vehicles is increasing. This is due to the increased demand for light-weighting applications that give composite materials advantages over other materials for some structural parts as well as propulsion systems. But increased energy and raw materials costs, coupled with shortage of semiconductors and inflationary pressures put manufacturers under pressure around the globe.

Mobility, as a global requirement and a vital necessity, is becoming increasingly diverse. The coming legislations to decarbonate mobility, in general, and individual transportation, in particular, are determining factors for the fundamental changes in the sector at a worldwide scale. On one hand in Europe, the legislation plans to ban the sale of new internal combustion engine cars by 2035. On the other hand, Chinese electric cars, cheaper than models built elsewhere, are making inroads in Europe, Australia and Southeast Asia. That was shown by manufacturers at the IAA Mobility Show in Munich back in September.

In this issue, dedicated to automotive, we intend to give you a global overview of these trends, of this new paradigm, with electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles, as well as mass production process, CFRP recycling, 3D composites part to reach performance or presenting a cost-effective carbon wheel.

JEC Composites News

Daily updated, the web hub is the place to read the latest news of the composites industry in every sector of the composites industry. Hereunder a selection of news dedicated to Automotive:

Sustainability and decarbonization are the heartbeat of future mobility concepts
Mid-June, the Design Centre in Linz, Austria, hosted the Engel Mobility Days 2023 event. During two days, keynote addresses, networking and discussions gathered around 500 international industry experts and visionaries from the automotive, micro-mobility, aerospace and transportation sectors. Engel, a global leader in the manufacture of plastics processing machines headquartered in Austria, fostered this event, supported by its business partner KTM Technologies.
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Bugatti Bolide: Engineered to the highest safety standards
Along with incredible power, precision and performance, a track-only hyper sports car must possess exceptional levels of safety, which is why the Bugatti Bolide features an innovative new carbon fiber monocoque developed to the same demanding Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile LMH and LMDh requirements as Le Mans race cars.
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FORVIA starts deliveries of hydrogen tanks from first mass production plant in France
Recently, type IV Hydrogen tanks have started rolling out from FORVIA’s groundbreaking mass production plant in Allenjoie, France. This first-of-its-kind facility in Europe and North America aims to produce 100,000 tanks annually. With hydrogen as a driving force behind the decarbonization of mobility and industry, FORVIA is committed to delivering safe and affordable hydrogen storage technology. By streamlining processes and excelling in industrialization, they will slash production costs by 5 between 2023 and 2025.
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JEC Composites Web TV

The JEC Composites Web TV is a platform where hundreds of videos have been spotted by JEC Group’s experts to present materials, processes, applications, business cases… All the content reflects the innovative and customizable solutions from the composites industry. On the JEC Composites Web TV you can also find pedagogic videos to better understand the composites benefits, and discover JEC Group events, programs, webinars and podcasts. Hereunder a selection of videos dedicated to Automotive:

Composites Inside Mobility – MERCEDES
“With improved technologies composites can be cost-effective for higher volumes” Karl-Heinz Füller Manager future of materials and exterior applications @ Mercedes

Lamborghini LB744 – The Strength of Lightness
A second look at the new LB744: the first HPEV (High Performance Electrified Vehicle) V12 hybrid Super Sports Car by Lamborghini and let’s focus on some of its most important innovations.
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Launch of the BMW iX5 Hydrogen pilot fleet
An important next phase for the BMW iX5 Hydrogen: The pilot fleet will be employed internationally for demonstration and trial purposes.
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