The decision was made after numerous discussions with industry and partners, who were in favour of postponing the fair. This was mainly due to the current business situation in the composites industry and the uncertainty regarding existing international travel restrictions.
Originally, it was planned to hold the newly conceived Business Summit for composite materials at the Stuttgart Trade Fair Centre in parallel with Foam Expo Europe. But Smarter Shows the organizer of Foam Expo Europe recently decided to postpone its trade fair next year.
"Together with exhibitors and partners, we had hoped for a long time that we would be able to implement the relaunch of Composites for Europe and the new event concept in November. Unfortunately, this hope has not been fulfilled. But we will of course bring our forward-looking concept for 2021," said Michael Freter, managing director, Reed Exhibitions Deutschland. "The new concept with focused on theme hubs, the expansion of the "Process Live" format and the stronger integration of our partner AVK in the speaking program has met with great approval in the industry. However, in close coordination, we have agreed that the new 2021 date offers the industry the best conditions for a successful event."
Dr Elmar Witten, managing director of the German Federation of Reinforced Plastics, AVK added: "The European composites industry has been severely affected by the consequences of the Covid 19 pandemic. Even though a recovery of the tense situation is announced in some segments and the crisis in other areas, such as the construction and infrastructure sectors, is not yet fully taking effect, many companies are still very insecure. As in the years of the economic and financial crisis, it will probably take some time before the current declines in the industry are made up for.”
However, the events organised by AVK within the framework of Composites for Europe - the forums, the poster session and also the AVK Innovation Award Ceremony - will take place as online events according to current planning.
The upcoming Composites for Europe will take place from November 9-11, 2021, at the Stuttgart Trade Fair Centre. Composites for Europe is organized by Reed Exhibitions Deutschland in cooperation with the European industry association EuCIA and the trade association Composites Germany, an association of the composites associations AVK, VDMA AG Hybride Leichtbau Technologien and Leichtbau Baden-Württemberg.
