ABOUT US

Composites United e. V. (CU), one of the world’s largest networks for fiber-based multi-material lightweight design, emerged by the two associations Carbon Composites e. V. and CFK Valley e. V. About 350 members have joined to form this high-performance industry and research association to jointly develop lightweight design solutions for the future.

Vision &
Mission

Vision
By 2025 we will develop into an internationally recognized association for the sustainable use of multi-material lightweight design and position the group of hybrid high-performance lightweight design composites in global competition as ecological and economic added value.

Mission
We promote the industrial use of hybrid high-performance lightweight design composites and support their sustainable use.
In order to achieve this goal, we support our members in the targeted acquisition of national and international projects, the presentation of their skills at national and international events/trade fairs and through specific educational offers.

Services

Expansion of services for the members of the association

Conferences

Implementation of regional and national conferences

Networking

Networking of the members connected by the clusters and networks

Advice

Advice to politicians on questions concerning fibre-reinforced high-performance materials

Support

Support of members in R&D activities

Access

Creating access to international markets and knowledge

Representations

Composites United is looking for partners around the world to drive the development of composite technology.

Members

Composites United consists of approximately 350 members from various industries, regions and countries, companies and institutions.

Projects

Joint projects bring the members of the network together on important topics in the industry and shape the future of the composites industry.

Working Groups

Over 40 technical working groups and groups on all relevant topics in the composites industry.

Cooperations

The CU cooperates with important partners in the field of multi-material lightweight design in order to bundle forces and use multiplier effects.

Sponsors

Our sponsors share the passion for innovation with us and support the association in realizing its goals.

Advantages of a
Membership

Unique advantages of a membership in the Composites United e.V. network

Innovations

Support in the implementation of innovations

Participations

Participation in research and development projects

Funding

Research promotion via Carbon Composites Leichtbau gGmbH as a member of the German Federation of Industrial Research Associations "Otto von Guericke" e.V. (AiF).

Cooperations

Mediation of cooperations and business initiations with companies and research institutions of the latest composite technology

Strategies

Involvement in new strategic development directions, e.g. in the field of digitisation and AI

Support

Constructively critical support of the legislative authorities in the field of sustainability and recycling of CFRP.

Experts

Possibility of a targeted search for skilled workers

New Markets

Access to new national and international markets

Information

Information and participation in national and international funding initiatives

Events

Reduced or free participation in theme days and specialist events

Groups & Circles

Free participation in numerous meetings of the working groups and circles as well as the possibility to create your own groups

Presentations

High-profile presentation at the CU joint stand at national and international trade fairs

Publications

Publication of the latest information from your company in the CU reports

Groups & Circles

Reduced or free attendance of further education seminars

Partner

People with a passion for innovation and new technologies

Networking

National and international networking

Future with
Composites

Lightweight design is an important topic of our time. Carbon is a material that is extremely important for lightweight design. Professions dealing with carbon have a future in all industries – from sports equipment and instrument manufacturers to car and aircraft manufacturers.

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Erfolge

Erfolge

  • Seit der Gründung des Vereins ist ein enormes Mitgliederwachstum zu verzeichnen, sodass aktuell ca. 350 Unternehmen und Institutionen Teil des CU-Netzwerkes sind
  • Etabliertes Mitgliedermagazin „CU reports“, welches zweimal im Jahr in großer Auflage sowohl auf Deutsch als auch Englisch erscheint
  • Langjährige öffentlichkeitswirksame Präsentation des Vereins und seiner Mitglieder auf dem CU-Gemeinschaftsstand im Rahmen nationaler und internationaler Messen. Größter Gemeinschaftstand auf der JEC World 2022.
  • Gründung der Carbon Composites Leichtbau gGmbH als Mitglied der Arbeitsgemeinschaft industrieller Forschungsvereinigungen „Otto von Guericke“ e.V. (AiF)
  • Über 40 technische Arbeitsgruppen zu relevanten Themen der Branche. Ihre Schwerpunkte reichen von Einzelaspekten in Entwicklung und Produktion über Smart Structures, Biocomposites und Nachhaltigkeit bis zu Normung und Standardisierung
  • Deutschlandweite sowie regionale politische Positionierung und Etablierung des Netzwerkes   
  • Etablierung des Spitzenclusters MAI Carbon als regionalen, nationalen und internationalen Leuchtturm im Bereich Faserverbund
  • Entwicklung und Umsetzung einer geschlossenen Bildungskette von der frühkindlichen Bildung bis hin zur Promotion

Successes

Since the foundation of the association, there has been an enormous growth in membership, so that currently about 400 companies and institutions are part of the CU network

Established member magazine "CU reports", which is published twice a year in large print runs in both German and English

Long-standing public presentation of the association and its members at the CU joint stand at national and international trade fairs. Largest joint stand at the JEC World 2020.

Foundation of Carbon Composites Leichtbau gGmbH as a member of the German Federation of Industrial Research Associations "Otto von Guericke" e.V. (AiF)

38 technical working groups on relevant industry issues. Their focal points range from individual aspects of development and production, smart structures, biocomposites and sustainability to standardization

Germany-wide and regional political positioning and establishment of the network

International establishment of the network beyond Europe (Austria, Switzerland) with a focus on Asia (Japan, Korea, India and China)

Establishment of the Leading-Edge Cluster MAI Carbon as a regional, national and international beacon in the field of fibre composites

Development and implementation of a closed educational chain from early childhood education to doctoral studies

First industrial CFRP recycling plant inaugurated in 2010 after pilot testing by member companies

Several settlements and creation of jobs in the composite sector

Establishment of the first university of applied sciences with an exclusive international course of studies in composites technology with Bachelor and Master degrees

Promotion of numerous lighthouse projects for the development of composites technology in new application areas (automotive, transportation, construction, etc.)

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Our
Contact person

Ansprechpartner
Dr. Gunnar Merz

CEO Composites United e.V.

Contact details
Ansprechpartner
Dr. Tjark von Reden

CEO Composites United e.V.

Contact details

Our
Executive Committee

Ansprechpartner
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Klaus Drechsler

Spokesman of the Executive Committee

Fraunhofer Institute for Casting, Composite and Processing Technology  IGCV / Chair of Carbon Composites at TU München

Ansprechpartner
Marc Fette

CEO CTC GmbH

Ansprechpartner
Dr. Gabriele Gärtner

Ingenieurbüro Dr.-Ing. Gabriele Gärtner

Ansprechpartner
Dr. Heike Illing-Günther

Managing Director STFI ‑ Sächsisches Textilforschungsinstitut e.V.

Ansprechpartner
Dr. Gernot Kalkoffen

CEO Carbon Truck & Trailer GmbH

Ansprechpartner
Dr. Steffen Kress

Head of Business Development and Sales, Mubea Aviation GmbH

Ansprechpartner
Dr. Hauke Lengsfeld

Head of Business Unit Reactive Polymers and Flame Retardants Schill + Seilacher “Struktol” GmbH

Ansprechpartner
Prof. Dr. Jens Ridzewski

Senior Principal Engineer Business Development IMA Materialforschung und Anwendungstechnik GmbH