The board of Composites Germany (Berlin / Germany; www.composites-germany.org) has confirmed Michael Effing as chairman and Elmar Witten as spokesman of the association’s management.

The group said it will focus in 2016 on conceiving a lobbying concept, continue its work on norms and standardisation and attempt to create an integrated education chain for the entire industry. Recycling will also receive special attention this year, with both Effing and Witten in agreement that the reuse of carbon fibre-reinforced plastics (CRP) plays a particularly important role in the material’s acceptance in the industry.

At the end of 2016, the association plans to host the second “International Composites Congress” (ICC). Scheduled for 28 and 29 November, the Düsseldorf / Germany-based event will have Japan as a partner country. The first ICC, held in 2015, drew 350 participants from 22 countries and was considered a huge success.

Composites Germany was established in 2013 as the umbrella organisation bringing together Carbon Composites, CFK Valley Stade, Industrievereinigung Verstärkte Kunststoffe and VDMA Forum Composite Technology.