Attending CENEX and International Composites Summit 2024: A Step Towards the Future of Low-Carbon Technologies
In early September 2024, two major industry events took place in the UK: CENEX and the International Composites Summit (ICS). Both of these events served as key forums for exploring innovations in sustainable technologies, with a focus on the automotive and composite sectors. These gatherings brought together industry leaders, researchers, and innovators to discuss the future of low-carbon technologies and advanced materials.
Commitment to sustainability and high production cadence
CENEX 2024, held at the UTAC Millbrook Proving Ground, is widely recognized as the leading event dedicated to showcasing low-carbon vehicle and energy technologies. The exhibition featured advancements in electric vehicles, energy storage systems, and alternative materials aimed at reducing the carbon footprint of transportation.
Beyond the market insight, reason for attending CENEX 2024 was the presence of Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), which exhibited materials provided by Blackfabric as part of the SOCA project (JLR, Far-UK, iCOMAT, CCP-Gransden). This project investigates alternative materials and technologies that support the decarbonization of low-volume carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) automotive components. The Blackfabric material was chosen for its low CO2 emissions profile and its potential to significantly reduce the environmental impact of automotive manufacturing. According to JLR, “the Blackfabric material was selected as an innovative low CO2 solution for the decarbonisation of CFRP automotive components by the SOCA consortium, led by JLR.” This collaboration highlights the importance of integrating sustainable materials into future automotive designs and that solutions exists today for the manufacture of lightweight and low-carbon footprint composite component.
Presentation of the SOCA Project at their stand
SOCA Project demonstrator
Sustainable materials from Blackfabric for the SOCA Project
International Composites Summit 2024: Exploring New Frontiers in Composites
International Composites Summit 2024
The International Composites Summit (ICS), held in Milton Keynes, is a key event for the composite materials industry, bringing together experts and businesses from various sectors, including aerospace, automotive, and energy. ICS 2024 provided a platform to explore the latest advancements in composite manufacturing, lightweighting strategies, and sustainable materials.
The event showcased a wide range of topics, from digitalization in manufacturing processes to emerging trends in composites that help reduce environmental impact. Keynote sessions and technical presentations explored how composite materials are driving innovations across industries. ICS reinforced the role of composite materials in supporting the global push towards sustainability and demonstrated the potential of advanced materials to transform industries.
Both CENEX and ICS offered valuable insights into the evolving landscape of low-carbon technologies and composite materials. These events highlighted how industries are actively seeking sustainable solutions to address future challenges, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and innovation in shaping a more sustainable future.
