SAERTEX looks back at three successful trade fair days in Paris: At the JEC Composites Show, which took place in the French capital from March 29 to the 31, SAERTEX received visits from countless clients and interested parties in the wind, automotive and aviation industries.

The industry is once again on the up and up, which was noticeable not only in the increase in the number of exhibitors, but also in the size and the professionalism of the stands. "Small and mid-sized businesses are also investing in the future," noted SAERTEX Executive Director Bruno Lammers. "Optimism is high, and not only in the wind industry; composite components are now being used in building and bridge construction as well." And with resounding success, evidently: a bridge project by SAERTEX partner Acciona was awarded the JEC Innovation Prize 2011 at the trade fair. The outstanding project was achieved using SAERTEX fabrics.


As in previous years, the SAERTEX stand attracted a specialized audience. New contacts were made and existing ones strengthened in numerous conversations and negotiations. LEO, the new fabric system, aroused particular interest. This material, which is the only one of its kind in the world, combines the versatility of light construction using composites with unique fire-protection capabilities. Strict fire-protection regulations—such as in shipbuilding, public transportation or the construction industry—has previously restricted the success of composites in these areas. Thanks to LEO, this is no longer an issue. Moreover, the fabric has no poisonous additives. This creates a great deal of potential and may revolutionize the composite market.


The JEC Composites Show in Paris is one of the world’s leading specialized trade fairs for the composites industry. The exhibition presents a comprehensive overview of the entire composite materials value chain—from the production of raw materials and composites to the downstream services. With its countless conferences, technical and scientific forums, workshops and seminars, the trade fair has information about all relevant subjects and trends.