Engineering meets sustainability at METSTRADE: Lessons from Gurit’s bio‑based epoxy journey

At Metstrade on RAI Amsterdam—the world’s leading B2B hub for the leisure marine sector—Composites Lounge sat down with Philip Aikenhead (Head of Sales EMEA, Gurit) to explore what “sustainable resin solutions” actually means when boats must survive UV, salt, shock loads and repairs over decades. The takeaway: sustainability is moving from pilot talk to disciplined engineering practice.

Philip was also a panelist on the JEC Panel on innovation at Metstrade hosted by Éric Pierrejean, CEO of JEC and you can listen to the podcast on our Youtube playlist (Link in the Comment) and soon an any podcast app.

What changed?

Formulation first, slogans second.

Gurit has reformulated key epoxy portfolios (Prime™ infusion, Ampreg™ laminating) so that bio‑content is now standard—while retaining marine-class certifications and processing windows that builders already trust. In parallel, Gurit emphasizes low-toxicity chemistry (CMR- and SVHC-free hardeners) and recycled PET cores, tying material choices to LCA-backed CO₂ reduction rather than anecdotes.

Reality checks that matter to engineers

Application fit: Bio‑based epoxies are thermosets—great for high-end and semi‑structural parts, auxiliaries (hardtops, passerelles) and repairs; they drop into existing vacuum infusion and wet‑lam processes without exotic tooling.

Environmental durability: Gurit validates against UV and saltwater aging, aligning with service-life realities rather than lab-only claims.

Fire: IMO compliance remains a system-level problem; think liners/barriers and careful additive strategies—not silver bullets baked into every resin.

Why this matters now

Marine programs are increasingly measured on embodied carbon and operator safety—without sacrificing weight, cure control, or classification. Gurit’s approach—incremental CO₂ cuts at industrial scale—is exactly how complex fleets transition: pragmatic chemistry, compatible processes, auditable data.

This week at boot Düsseldorf: Composites Lounge will be on site to cover the composites agenda led by European Boating Industry (EBI) at the Blue Innovation Dock on 22 January 2026.

Engineers—what questions should we ask on bio‑based epoxies, cores, and recyclability?

Drop them in the comments, and follow for real‑time insights.

See you at JEC World 2026: Composites Lounge will also visit Gurit to track how the bio‑based and low‑toxicity roadmap evolves into new marine‑grade solutions. Let us know if you want a materials deep‑dive or booth‑side walkthrough.

YouTube Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tho5TYvB8j4

🔴 BREAKING | Manufacturing Innovation in Marine & Composites
At Metstrade Amsterdam, on the JEC Group booth, a quiet but important announcement was made.

During an on‑site interview for Composites Lounge, Dr. Tahira Ahmed revealed the upcoming launch of Morphing Technologies — a new machine‑building company set to debut at JEC World 2026 (Paris, 10–12 March).

This is not about morphing products.

This is about morphing the manufacturing process itself.

From one‑off tooling to shape‑programmable production

Morphing Technologies is introducing a fully automated adaptive mould system that changes shape directly from a 3D CAD file.

Instead of machining a new mould for every curved composite part, one reconfigurable mould can generate an unlimited number of geometries.

👉 For engineers, this directly addresses:

One‑off and low‑volume composite production
Curved and organic geometries (marine superstructures, yacht interiors, façade panels)

Tooling waste, storage, lead time and embodied CO₂

At launch, the system will be demonstrated with a 1.2 × 1.2 m mould at JEC World 2026, showing extreme singly and doubly curved shapes live on the booth.

Engineering fundamentals (no buzzwords)

The morphing mould system is based on:

A digitally actuated pin‑bed architecture with a continuous interpolation surface
Direct CAD‑to‑mould translation (minutes, not weeks)
Tolerances suited for structural and semi‑structural applications (±1–2 mm, geometry‑dependent)
Compatibility with thermosets and low‑ to mid‑temperature thermoplastics
Applicability beyond polymers: GRC, concrete, curved glass
In short: manufacturing flexibility without retooling.

Marine engineering lives at the intersection of:

Curvature‑driven structural efficiency
Low production volumes
Late design changes
High tooling cost per part
Morphing Technologies targets exactly this gap — replacing CNC‑milled, single‑use moulds with reusable, programmable tooling.

The sustainability impact is process‑driven:
✅ no disposable moulds
✅ no tooling storage
✅ dramatically reduced waste upstream of the part

Leadership that understands production reality Morphing Technologies is led by Dr. Tahira Ahmed:

Aeronautical engineer (Imperial College London)

PhD in composites (TU Delft)

~25 years across thermosets, thermoplastics, automation and hands‑on manufacturing and Chair of CompositesNL

This is not conceptual R&D.

This is production‑grade manufacturing engineering.

📍 Event: JEC World 2026
📅 Date: 10–12 March 2026
📌 Location: Paris Nord Villepinte
🏗 Exhibitor: Morphing Technologies
🔢 Booth number: to follow soon

At Composites Lounge, we look for innovations that change how composites are made, not just how they are marketed.

YouTube Episode: https://youtu.be/DKeABHdbEYE

🇵🇱 Polen auf dem Sprung – Wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit mit Deutschland im Fokus

Ich hatte die große Freude, beim JEC Forum Central Europe 2025 mit Tomasz Salomon, Deputy Director im polnischen Ministerium für wirtschaftliche Entwicklung und Technologie, über die Perspektiven der deutsch‑polnischen Wirtschaftsbeziehungen zu sprechen.

📌 Hintergrund: Wenige Tage vor unserem Gespräch fand in Berlin das Polnisch‑Deutsche Wirtschaftsforum statt – eröffnet von
Katherina Reiche, Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Energie (Deutschland)
Andrzej Domański, Minister für Finanzen und Wirtschaft (Polen)

Im Fokus standen zentrale Themen: Energiekooperation, Wettbewerbsfähigkeit der Industrie, Investitionen. Mit Blick auf Energiethemen war außerdem der neue polnische Energieminister Miłosz Motyka relevant.

Was Tomasz Salomon sagt – und warum es zählt

Polen bleibt Top‑Standort für deutsche FDI – und schaut zugleich nach Westen
„Polen ist seit Jahren ein attraktives Land für deutsche Investoren … und wir rechnen mit weiterem Wachstum. Gleichzeitig sehen polnische Unternehmen Deutschland als Sprungbrett für den westeuropäischen Markt.“

Diese Beidseitigkeit ist der Hebel: Deutsche Unternehmen profitieren von Polens Tempo und industrieller Tiefe; polnische Firmen nutzen Deutschland als Tor in EU‑Märkte.

Wettbewerbsfähigkeit Europas als gemeinsame Aufgabe

„Europa muss konkurrenzfähig sein … und mindestens in einigen Industrien Top‑Niveau halten.“

Appell für Joint Ventures, Co‑Investments und Skalierung in Zukunftsfeldern (Energie, Materialien, Mobilität, digitale Produktion).

Sicherheit & Resilienz: Energie, Verteidigung, Medikamente

„Nicht nur Verteidigungsindustrie, sondern auch Energiefragen und der Zugang zu kritischen Medikamenten sind lebenswichtig.“

Versorgungssicherheit wird zum Wirtschaftsthema Nr. 1. Wer Material‑ & Energieeffizienz verbindet, Lieferketten diversifiziert und Dual‑Use‑Innovationen beherrscht, gewinnt.

Ich freue mich über diese klare, partnerschaftliche Botschaft – und darüber, wie stark Polen performt.

🔗 Das vollständige Interview jetzt hier und in Kürze auch auf den Composites Lounge YouTube und Podcast Kanälen Deiner Wahl.

Wo seht ihr die schnellsten „Quick Wins“ in der D‑PL‑Zusammenarbeit – Energie, Mobilität, Defense, Gesundheit, Digitale Fertigung?

👉 Besucht den Polish Pavilion auf der JEC World 2026 in Hall 5, Booth 5G142 – Andrzej Czulak vom Polish Cluster of Composite Technologies / Polski Klaster Technologii Kompozytowych und auch ich bin vor Ort und vernetze gern!

YouTube Episode: https://youtu.be/d-HXnB3Zp6w

Polen zeigt Stärke! Auf dem JEC Forum Central Europe 2025 wurde klar: Der polnische Composites-Markt spielt eine Schlüsselrolle in Europa – und die Reise geht weiter.

In meinem Interview mit Andrzej Czulak, Präsident des polnischen Clusters für Composites Technologies, sprachen wir über die Highlights der letzten Tage:

✅ Zielgerichtete Businessmeetings – direkte Kontakte statt zielloser Besuche.
✅ Deutsch-polnische Kooperationen – von Green Deal bis Hightech-Lösungen.
✅ Positionierung des polnischen Marktes – stark, innovativ und wachsend.

Andrzej gab auch einen Ausblick:

📌 JEC World 2026 in Paris – der polnische Cluster präsentiert sich international.
📌 Kompozyt Expo + Drone Security Show in Krakau – Synergien zwischen Composites und Defense/Drohnen-Technologien.

Die Botschaft ist klar: Polen ist bereit für die Zukunft der Verbundwerkstoffe.

👉 Besuche den Polnischen Pavillon auf der JEC World 2026 in Paris!
📍 Stand: Hall 5, Booth 5G142

Lerne die führenden Köpfe und Innovationen kennen, die Europas Composites-Landschaft prägen.

YouTube Episode: https://youtu.be/BDvSjHpxzdQ

This LinkedIn Live-on-Tape Event is primarily an audio Podcast and about: “Natural Fibers, Bio-Based Resins & Circularity – The Future of Marine Composites”

What happens when the marine industry meets sustainability head-on?
 
This exclusive LinkedIn Live-on-Tape brings together visionary leaders shaping the next era of composites—from natural fibers to bio-based resins and circular design strategies. If you care about innovation, performance, and reducing CO₂ footprints, this is the conversation you cannot afford to miss.

Meet the Panelists:

*  Host: Eric Pierrejean – CEO, JEC Group
Driving global composite innovation and sustainability initiatives, including JEC World’s Circularity Village.

* Paolo Dassi – Bcomp Ltd
Pioneering natural fiber solutions for marine and automotive sectors, blending aesthetics with performance.

* Marcus Kremers – Eve Reverse
Revolutionizing production chains with discrete-length natural fibers and bio-based resins for maximum efficiency.

* Philip Aikenhead – Head of Sales EMEA, Gurit
Championing bio-based epoxy systems and LCA-driven sustainability in marine composites.

*  Nicolas FORDOS – Airbus
Leading the charge in repurposing aerospace-grade carbon fiber for marine applications—turning waste into high-value innovation.

Brought to you by Composites Lounge and Ilkay Özkisaoglu – Co-Founder, Composites Lounge

Known for igniting conversations that matter across Europe’s composites and sustainable materials industry.

Why should you join?

Because the stakes are high. From IMO fire standards to end-of-life strategies, from local sourcing of flax and hemp to repurposing Airbus A380 prepregs into racing yachts, this panel uncovers the breakthroughs that will define the marine industry’s sustainable future.

You’ll hear real-world case studies, market insights, and bold predictions—straight from the experts driving change. Plus, discover why JEC World 2026 in Paris will be the epicenter of circularity and innovation.

✅ Don’t just read about the future—be part of it.
Join this LinkedIn Live and position yourself at the forefront of marine sustainability. Seats are virtual, but the impact is real.

YouTube Episode: https://youtu.be/RhBaqQDG1Tk

What does true circularity in composites look like? How do we move from ambition to implementation? This exclusive LinkedIn Live-on-Tape session, hosted by Alexander Guillet (JEC), brings together a powerhouse panel of innovators and industry leaders who are shaping the future of sustainable composites.

Meet the Panelists:

* Marina Palumbo Cardella – European Boating Industry (EBI): Advocating for a greener marine sector and driving the roadmap for end-of-life boats.

* Raphael Pleynet – EUCIA: The architect behind the European Circular Composites Alliance (ECCA), uniting 170+ members to accelerate circularity.

* Guillaume Perben – Composite Recycling: Scaling up technologies to recover glass and carbon fibers and close the loop.

* Fabio Bignolini – nlcomp by Northern Light: Pioneering thermoplastic composites for next-gen sailing boats.

* Norbert Sedlacek – Innovation Yachts: A legend in ocean racing, now leading the charge for fully recyclable yacht design.

Europe is on the brink of a paradigm shift. With the Circular Economy Act expected in 2026, the pressure is on to rethink design, production, and end-of-life strategies for composites. From marine to wind energy, from startups to global OEMs, the message is clear: sustainability is no longer optional—it’s the new competitive edge.

What You’ll Learn:

* How regulatory frameworks like the Circular Economy Act will reshape the industry.
* Why collaboration across the entire value chain is critical.
* Real-world examples of recycling technologies and thermoplastic innovations.
* How alliances like ECCA are creating momentum for systemic change.

This isn’t just another panel—it’s a front-row seat to the future of composites. Hear candid insights, bold visions, and practical steps from those who are making it happen. If you care about sustainability, innovation, and the business opportunities they unlock, you can’t afford to miss this.

* Join us at JEC World 2026 in Paris and visit the Circularity Village to see these innovations up close.
* Sign the ECCA Declaration at and become part of Europe’s most dynamic circularity movement.
* Press “Participate” now to secure your spot for this livestream and be part of the conversation that will define the next decade of composites.

The race toward circularity has started. Will you be in the lead—or left behind?

YouTube Episode: https://youtu.be/9PCea1YdT5Y

In a follow‑up to Composites Lounge’s short conversation with Jacek Kasz—who previewed KOMPOZYT-EXPO® 2026 in Kraków alongside a parallel DRONE SECURITY EXPO (DSE) 2026—Piotr Placha, Export Support Department expert at the Polish Investment and Trade Agency (PAIH), offers a sober, business‑focused view on dual‑use technologies and why they are increasingly central to European industry.

His perspective: dual‑use is not a niche—it’s a reality shaping markets and regulations.

What is dual‑use?

Placha defines it simply: any technology serving both civilian and defense purposes. Think industrial drones—monitoring crops one day, securing borders the next. Or counter‑drone systems, where composites enable lightweight, high‑strength airframes for BVLOS missions. Even everyday products—ready‑to‑eat meals, cut‑resistant uniforms—can cross into dual‑use territory.

Why is this delicate?

Dual‑use spans regulated and non‑regulated categories. Export controls apply to some cybersecurity tools or defense‑grade equipment, but many items remain commercially open. For SMEs, the nuance lies in documentation, compliance, and understanding where civilian ends and defense begins.

The NATO shift:

Geopolitical changes have opened doors for small and medium enterprises. NATO now actively seeks innovative solutions from startups and SMEs, maintaining one of the largest databases of suppliers. For composites players, this means opportunity—if you can prove performance and interoperability.

Why composites matter here:

Lightweight structures, advanced resins, and additive manufacturing are critical for drones, trailers, and protective gear. The intersection of materials engineering and security tech will be front and center at Kraków’s October 2026 events:
KOMPOZYT‑EXPO® (7–8 Oct 2026) – Poland’s flagship composites fair.
Drone Security EXPO (7–8 Oct 2026) – BVLOS demos, counter‑UAS simulations, and expert panels.

And before Kraków, the global stage:

🇵🇱 Poland debuts its first national Pavilion at JEC World 2026, Paris, 10–12 March. Meet the Polish ecosystem at Hall 5, Booth 5G142. If you’re working at the intersection of composites, UAS, and dual‑use, this is your chance to connect.

***

Already covered in this series
Anna Boczkowska
Mirko Filler
Dr. Andreas Freund
Piotr Placha

still to be released
Tomasz Salomon
Andrzej Czulak

and many more from the Fall/Winter 2025/2026 #Composites360OnTour

YouTube Episode: https://youtu.be/VufqmdhldIA

We’re keeping the spotlight on Central Europe’s composites community. In a short on‑site conversation at JEC Forum Central Europe in Kraków, Jacek Kasz—who leads the Center for Technology Transfer at Politechnika Krakowska (Cracow University of Technology)—points to a compelling 2026 horizon: the KOMPOZYT-EXPO®® will return to EXPO Kraków on 7–8 October 2026, and a Drone Security EXPO will run in parallel, showcasing live BVLOS flights and counter‑UAS demonstrations.

What stands out in Jacek’s remarks is the research depth behind Kraków’s ecosystem—and the people driving it:

• Prof. Joanna Ortyl (CUT) brings world‑class photochemistry to 3D printing and photopolymerization, bridging lab innovation with industry via photoinitiator spinoffs.

• Prof. Agnieszka Sobczak‑Kupiec (PK) connects materials engineering with regenerative medicine, leading multi‑partner projects like BiLaTex on laser‑textured Ti/HAp implants.

• Prof. Bozena Tyliszczak (PK) advances biomaterials and drug‑delivery systems, with a prolific portfolio and broad international collaborations.

• Prof. Krzysztof Pielichowski (CUT) is a reference in polymer thermal analysis, phase‑change materials, and nanocomposites, shaping both academic and industrial practice.

• KOMPOZYT‑EXPO® (7–8 Oct 2026) remains the region’s largest composites platform—materials, processes, applications—serving buyers and suppliers across mobility, energy and construction. Read More: kompozyt-expo.pl

• DRONE SECURITY EXPO (7–8 Oct 2026) adds an engineering‑heavy layer:
BVLOS trials, neutralization simulations, and expert dialogues with regulators, military, police, and industry—relevant for dual‑use composite structures and UAS airframes, too. Read more: dronesecurityexpo.pl

And before that, in March—get ready for the world stage:

🇵🇱 Poland will debut its very own national Pavilion at JEC World 2026, which takes place in Paris from 10–12 March 2026. This marks a major milestone for Polish composites, and you can meet them at Booth 5G142 (Hall 5)

YouTube Episode: https://youtu.be/NBIF02BzV3U

Poland’s Composite Revolution: From Research Labs to JEC World 2026
Why is Poland making headlines in composites?

At the first-ever JEC Forum Central Europe 2025 in Krakow, Composites Lounge spoke with Prof. Anna Boczkowska from the Warsaw University of Technology, a pioneer in materials science and engineering. Her insights reveal why Poland is becoming a strategic hub for advanced composites.

Engineering Highlights from Warsaw University of Technology:

Natural Fiber Integration: Basalt and hemp fibers are being engineered for wind turbine blades, reducing environmental impact while maintaining structural integrity.

Surface Engineering for Longevity: Advanced coatings deliver ice-phobic and low-wettability properties, critical for aerospace and energy applications.

Recycling Innovation: Modified recycled carbon fibers are achieving near-virgin performance, enabling circularity in high-performance composites.

Bio-Composites Future: Combining bio-resins with natural fibers to create fully sustainable composite systems for automotive, transportation, and construction sectors.

Natural fibers not only reduce weight and cost—they actively absorb CO₂ during growth, offering a negative carbon footprint. Many originate from agricultural waste, turning by-products into high-value engineering materials.

Poland is stepping onto the global stage as a first-time exhibitor at JEC World 2026!

📍 Visit the Polish Pavilion at Hall 5, Stand 5G142 to explore cutting-edge research and industrial applications driving sustainable composites forward.

YouTube Episode: https://youtu.be/cX9zszbutSo

Where Insight Meets Industry

The International Composites Summit Conference Forum is the intellectual heart of the summit, designed to address the most critical challenges and opportunities facing the composites industry today.

This dedicated conference programme run across both days of ICS 2025 and delivered a rich mix of strategic presentations, panel debates, and expert insights spanning sectors and technologies.

This year’s event featured a powerful line-up of global industry leaders, including Vice Presidents of Strategy, Marketing and R&D, Technical Editors of Media Outlets and Lead Material Engineers from international industry and construction.

Composites Lounge was invited to contribute with a special panel on automation titled: "Are we automating people out of composites?"

The title promised lively interaction and it was nothing short of it in the end. Watch the panel as a LinkedIn Live on Monday, 5 January 2026 at 10am CET (9am BST/UTC).

Composites Lounge
CREATING
SUSTAINABLE
VALUE

YouTube Episode: https://youtu.be/SsK-vEiQuR4