InterSpiN-Projekt Japan

The successful internationalization of the association continues

At the end of 2019, the CU internationalization project “Internationalization of Leading-Edge Clusters, Future Projects and Similar Networks” (InterSpiN+) was successfully completed. During the two-year project phase of the BMBF-funded project, an internationalization concept for the formation of an international composite meta-cluster was successfully developed. Furthermore, a close cooperation with the Japanese partners of the Innovative Composite Center (ICC) in the partner country Japan could be established. Consortia for two technical projects with German and Japanese partners have been set up jointly on the topics of CFRP recycling and thermoplastic profile production. These follow-up projects will start on April 1, 2020, in which a total of nine CU members will receive BMBF funding for the two technical projects over a period of three years.

During the project period, Composites United was able to establish an excellent relationship with the partners from the Innovative Composite Center (ICC) in Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan. The ICC is the largest fiber composite center in Japan. Its open and innovative approach makes it the ideal partner for Composites United in Japan. The next joint activities are already being planned: In September 2020 the JEC Forum Japan will be jointly organized for the first time together with the JEC Group.

“The Japanese market is very interesting for Composites United due to its high level of innovation and know-how, especially with regard to raw materials and production technologies. Composites United and its members will continue to benefit from the close cooperation with the ICC after the end of the project,” summarizes project manager Dr. Bastian Brenken.

Figure 1: Reception of the German delegation around Composites United by Ishikawa Prefecture in Kanazawa in May 2019