Conferences & Program - JEC Forum DACH 2025 - Business Meetings & Conferences

Conferences
& Program

We believe in the power of knowledge and the importance of staying informed about the latest trends and advancements in the composites market. That’s why we present our exceptional program, featuring a variety of captivating events :

DAY 1 - TUESDAY OCTOBER 21, 2025

Suppliers Badge retrieval (in Welcome area) & Booth Set-up

Welcome Coffee for all participants in the Networking area

9:45-10:00 on Conference Stage
Welcome to the Opening Ceremony!
Get ready to dive into the innovative world of composites in DACH region.

10:00-11:00 on Conference Stage
Plenary Session: Security & Defence

New Threats, New Materials: How Can Composites Strengthen Modern Security and Military Capabilities?
This session explores the use of advanced composite materials in defense and civil security applications, from high-performance components for extreme conditions to tactical drones and lightweight structural systems for vehicles and bridges.

Chair: Marc Fette – CEO, Composite Technology Center (CTC GmbH, an Airbus Company); Chairman of the VDI Aerospace Advisory Board; Lieutenant Colonel (Germany Reserve)
 
• Session 1.1 – “Can CMCs meet the extreme demands of defence applications“
Speaker: Dr. Stephan Schmidt Wimmer – Head of High Temperature Materials & Technologies, Senior Expert in Materials & Processes, ArianeGroup
• Session 1.2 – ”Composites in legacy and future military A/C platforms”
Speaker: Klaus Müller – Industrial Architect FCAS / R&T Integrator, Airbus Defence and Space GmbH
• Session 1.3 – “How can composites reshape bridges and military vehicles?”
Speaker: TBC

Business Meetings in Exhibit Hall

Networking / Lunch in Lunch area

Business Meetings in Exhibit Hall

14:30-15:30 on Conference Stage
Plenary session: Market Developments

Where Is the European Composites Market Going — and How Will Regulation Shape Its Future?
An essential update on composites demand across Europe and the DACH region, with insights on economic trends, innovation drivers, and key regulatory changes such as end-of-life vehicle directives that will impact industry players.

Chair: Dr. Michael Effing – Chairman of the board, AVK & Member of the board, Composites Germany
• Session 2.1 – “How is the European & DACH composites market developing and what next?”
Speaker: Dr. Elmar Witten – Managing Director, AVK – Federation of Reinforced Plastics
• Session 2.2 – “How will (future) regulations impact composite recycling?”
Speaker: TBC

16:00-17:00 on Conference Stage
Startups’ Innovation Session: AI & Composites

As artificial intelligence reshapes industries across the board, the composites sector is beginning to unlock its full potential through intelligent technologies. This edition of the JEC Startups’ Innovation Session will spotlight five pioneering startups at the intersection of composites and artificial intelligence.
These startups will showcase breakthrough innovations that harness AI for smarter design, accelerated material discovery, predictive maintenance, advanced manufacturing, defect detection, and more. Whether through machine learning, computer vision, or generative design, their solutions pave the way for a new generation of efficient, data-driven, and adaptive composite applications.
Join this exciting session to witness how AI is transforming the world of composites and to engage in a forward-thinking discussion with the innovators leading this paradigm shift.

Speakers: TBC

17:00-18:30 on Conference Stage
AVK Innovation Awards Ceremony

19:30-22:00 Evening Networking Event

DAY 2 - WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 22, 2025

Start your day with a Welcome Coffee. Enjoy refreshments and network before the day’s events.

Business Meetings in Exhibit Hall

9:30-10:30 on Conference Stage
Plenary Session: Infrastructure

Can Carbon Composites Redefine Civil Infrastructure for a More Resilient and Sustainable Future?
This session investigates how carbon-reinforced concrete and fiber-based reinforcement systems are transforming construction — enabling lighter, longer-lasting, and more sustainable infrastructure in sectors such as rail, utilities, and public works.

• Session 3.1 – Can carbon reinforced concrete revolutionise rail infrastructure?
Speakers: Lars Lehmann – General Manager, Klaus Köhler Beton- und Fertigteilwerk GmbH & Roy Thyroff – Owner, rothycon CARBON REINFORCEMENT; Board Member, CU Bau/Composites United
• Session 3.2 – “Is carbon concrete a cost effective alternative to steel reinforced designs?”
Speaker: Dr. Oliver Heppes – Managing Partner, Carbon 360 GmbH; specialist in sustainable carbon concrete
• Session 3.3 – “Is a combination of CFRP-strand laying technology with concrete a good solution? Special features and potentials.”
Speaker: Dr. Dirk Büchler – CEO, BaltiCo GmbH; expert in filament wound composite reinforcements

Networking / Lunch in Lunch area

Business Meetings in Exhibit Hall

15:30-16:30 on Conference Stage
Plenary session: Innovations

What Breakthroughs in AI, Sustainability, and Design Are Shaping the Next Generation of Composites?
A forward-looking session on emerging technologies and industrial innovations, focusing on digitalisation, smart manufacturing (AI-driven), recyclability, and material efficiency, including FiberForm processes and smart automation.

• Session 4.1 – “How are sustainability and AI reshaping FiberForm production?”
Speakers: Matthias Froning – Head of AI & Digitalization, ITA Augsburg (specialised in web based composites) & Michael Daser, KraussMaffei
• Session 4.2 – Title TBD
Speakers: TBC

DAY 3 - THURSDAY OCTOBER 23, 2025

Composites Tour

The AVK Composites
Market Report

Explore AVK Composites Market Report for crucial industry insights, trends, and growth strategies. Gain a strategic edge in this dynamic field.


Keynote
Speeches

Get inspired by our keynote speakers, industry leaders, innovators, and influencers who've shaped the composites landscape.


Workshop Sessions
run by Suppliers

Engage in interactive workshops with event suppliers to explore new technologies and discuss with experts.


JEC Startups’
Innovation Session

Witness the latest innovations in the composites industry through the JEC Startups’ Innovation Session, featuring 5 innovative startups.


The AVK Awards
Ceremony

Celebrate innovation at the AVK Awards Ceremony, honoring composites industry visionaries and pioneers. Recognize outstanding contributions.

EVENING
NETWORKING EVENT

All participants are invited to the Evening Networking Event on the 1st Day of the Forum.


Please note that all the details of these programs will be regularly updated on our website. We encourage you to visit our website frequently to stay informed about the latest program updates.

In the meantime, we invite you to explore the programs from our previous edition in 2023, which can be found below. While these programs serve as a reference, please keep in mind that future editions will offer fresh and exciting content, tailored to meet the evolving needs of the composites industry.

JEC Startups’ Innovation Session

JEC starups innovation session - JEC Forum DACH 2025 in Dresden

JEC Startups’ Innovation Session – AI & Composites

As artificial intelligence reshapes industries across the board, the composites sector is beginning to unlock its full potential through intelligent technologies. This edition of the JEC Startups’ Innovation Session will spotlight five pioneering startups at the intersection of composites and artificial intelligence.

These startups will showcase breakthrough innovations that harness AI for smarter design, accelerated material discovery, predictive maintenance, advanced manufacturing, defect detection, and more. Whether through machine learning, computer vision, or generative design, their solutions pave the way for a new generation of efficient, data-driven, and adaptive composite applications.

Join this exciting session to witness how AI is transforming the world of composites and to engage in a forward-thinking discussion with the innovators leading this paradigm shift.

Come and discover the 5 startups that will be showcasing their innovation during the JEC Startups’ Innovation Session. They will benefit from:

  • A presentation in the JEC Startups’ Innovation Session (8-minute pitch)
  • A booth at JEC Forum DACH 2025 (with 2 registrations included)
  • Access to the Business Meetings Program at JEC Forum DACH 2025

Join us in this groundbreaking session and discover how innovation is fueling the transformation of the composites industry.

Are you a startup interested in participating in the JEC Startups’ Innovation Session? Please send your deck at startup-booster@jeccomposites.com.
The 5 startups participating will be announced early September, 2025.

The following 5 startups presented their sustainable solutions during the Startup Innovation Session: