India has been chosen to be the Country of Honour at the JEC Show Asia 2010 exhibition and con-ference, to be held in Singapore this October

Composite materials are defined as are engineered materials made from two or more constituent materials with significantly different physical or chemical properties, which remain separate and distinct on a macroscopic level within the finished structure. Composites are inspired by nature. Wood is a natural composite of cellulose fibres cemented together with lignin. Production of composites involves combining polymer and glass fibre or carbon fibre in order to produce a material that is lighter yet stronger than steel. Man made composites is similarly composed of reinforcing fibres embedded in a binder of matrix materials, which can be polymer, metal or ceramic. Composites have several advantages over metals and other materials, and hence their growing importance.

JEC Show Asia 2010, the 3rd edition of this successful annual exhibition and conference series, is scheduled from October 12-14, 2010 at Singapore's Suntec Exhibition Centre. The event is organised by JEC Composites, the Paris-based organisation dedicated to promoting composites internationally. It supports the development of these materials by fostering knowledge transfer and exchanges between suppliers and users. To date, the JEC network connects more than 250,000 professionals worldwide from 96 different countries. It holds its annual global event, JEC Show Paris, besides several other events across the world. The annual Paris show attracts over 1000 exhibitors. Besides events, JEC a magazine (8 issues a year) and a weekly e-newsletter with composite industry news.

Ms Fr?d?rique Mutel, President and CEO, JEC Composites, addressed a media round table at Mumbai early last month and shared the highlights of JEC Show Asia 2010. She spoke at length on the present trends in the Asian composites market, with specific reference to developments in India.

The global composites market by volume is 8 million tonnes valued at Euro 60 bn. The Asian market is pegged at 3.3 million tonnes valued at Euro 18 billion. While USA accounts for 35% of the global market share, it is 22% in Europe and 43% in Asia. The cost of production is cheapest in Asia at Euro 5.5 per kg, costliest in Europe at Euro 8.4 and in USA Euro 8.2 per kg. The Asian market, driven by high economic growth rates, is growing at an average 8% since 2002. As for per capita consumption, USA leads with 10 kg, followed by Europe at 5 kg and Asia including India is a low 1-2 kg, which indicates the strong potential for growth.

"With the fast pace of growth being set in Asia, there is a strong demand for leading edge composite applications across a broad spectrum of industries," says Fr?d?rique. The JEC Show Asia 2010 aims to build on the enormous growth potential of the composites industry across the region by introducing enormous growth potential of the composite industry across the region by introducing innovative, market ready solutions enabled by composite materials," she adds.

The show will be supported by leading exhibiting companies from every segment that makes up the value chain of the composites industry: raw material producers (glass, basalt and carbon fibres, thermoplastic and thermosetting resins, natural fibres), semi-product and part processors (compounds, prepregs, core materials, fabrics, hand processes, SMC, GMT, BMC, injection, RTM, RIM, pultrusion, lamination, centrifugation, filament winding, etc.), equipment and software manufacturers, distributors, research centres and institutes.

The user industries span construction, infrastructure, aerospace, automotive, marine, and renewable energy with a specific focus on wind energy. According to Mutel the show is committed to being the key industry platform for showcasing developments and technical content tailored for the Asian market.

India - the Country of Honour

Over the past 12 years, JEC has developed a strong relationship with the association and industry professionals in India. This year, India has been chosen to be the country of honour for the JEC Show Asia 2010 to highlight the burgeoning developments in the Indian composites industry.

In addition to the Indian pavilion featuring the country's exhibitors, a sizable India delegation will also be actively involved in a range of other programmes through the three-day event, including participation in the opening ceremony and representation in the concurrent conferences and end user forums.

Indian companies are also expected to feature prominently in competition for this year's JEC Asia Innovation Awards program, while top decision makers from India will take part in the pre-arranged business meetings prior to the show.

The use of composites in industrial applications in India is poised to grow at an annual rate of 15 percent through 2013. Composite materials have long provided an advanced material option for the building and construction, mass transportation and wind energy in India. The large and fast growing construction sector in India is expected to spearhead composites growth, while major vehicle manufacturers in the Indian car market are increasingly turning to the use of composites to replace traditional automotive materials. Wind power is the other growing segment in India.