Composites end markets: Aviation and advanced air mobility (2026)
Market outlook highlights commercial, defense and bizjet upturn, shift to Asia/rise of India while supply chain struggles to meet rate, AAM begins pivot toward commercial routes plus trends in civil UAS, electric aircraft and the latest in composites developments.
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News
Vertical Aerospace achieves two-way piloted transition flight
This completes flight phase testing of the company’s eVTOL prototype. Vertical moves closer to certification, with planned launch of its commercial aircraft in 2028.
WatchKilometro Rosso celebrates Petroceramics’ success in CMC for space
European innovation hub notes ceramic matrix composite producer’s evolution from brake research to space component supplier.
Read MoreLargest Chinese composite module developed for reusable launch vehicles
China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology produces 5-meter-diameter propulsion cabin completed in 7 months, featuring a lightweight, high-strength structure composed more than 60% of composite materials.
Read MoreProducts
ComposiCAD 26.1.0 offers improvements for filament winding and pressure vessel development
SNAPSHOT: Latest version of widely used software provides new capabilities and workflow enhancements.
Read MoreSHD launches MTC521FR flame‑retardant clear epoxy prepreg
SHD Composites, a Cambium company, has launched MTC521FR, a new flame-retardant clear epoxy prepreg engineered for visually critical carbon fiber components requiring certified fire performance.
Read MoreTANIQ launches further multi-process manufacturing solution with rubber winding for composites
Single cell and software environment enable lightweight applications such as pressure vessels, canisters, rocket motor cases and airframe components.
WatchTrending
What is the future for Owens Corning Glass Reinforcements?
An industry pioneer discusses divergent visions in a global industry, consolidation and growth in Asia, doubling market share and tells a composites sustainability story involving circular fibers.
Read MorePost Cure: 3D printed plastic, composite mouthstick designs assist limited-mobility users
Three M Tool and Machine has used its in-house additive manufacturing capabilities to rethink medical devices like mouthsticks, which must be stiff, lightweight and comfortable enough for everyday use.
Read MoreKaneka BMI material attains >25% lead time, >20% tool cost reductions in Janicki evaluations
Process evaluations find that novel BMI polymer chemistry addresses longstanding manufacturing challenges of BMI tooling prepregs while maintaining high temperature performance and durability.
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KNOWLEDGE CENTERS
Gain in-depth knowledge in processes, products and technology from industry experts
Features and Articles
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Reflections from JEC World 2026: The altruistic potential of composites
Amid rising defense demands for composites due to global conflicts, we are reminded of the importance of sustainable applications in renewable energy and resilient infrastructure.
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Utah fabricator grows to fill needs for U.S.-based custom parts
CW Top Shops recipient Origen Manufacturing shares its journey from a part-time venture to a custom parts fabricator/metal machine shop, championing U.S. manufacture of drone propellers, satellite components, bicycle parts and more.
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Advancing bonding, coating and sealing to 4.0 systems for composites, metals and more
Brighton Science uses decades of experience, 2-second surface measurements and a framework of data-based specs and KPIs to help manufacturers advance toward reliable, predictable bond quality for faster, high-performance production.
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Dialing in composites performance via dynamic digital twins
Sport Dynamics Lab uses Flexdynamics testing, digital models and AI tools to compare designs, materials and systems, enabling optimization with potential for propellers, drones and vibrational structures.
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Composites 101
- The need for process modeling in filament winding applications
- Composites end markets: Industrial (2026)
- Thermoplastic composite fabrication: Thermal processing
- Composites end markets: Pressure vessels (2025)
- Ceramic matrix composites: Faster, cheaper, higher temperature
- Troubleshooting thermoplastic composite stamp forming
- Composites end markets: Automotive (2025)
- Selecting a meter/mix dispensing machine
- Composites end markets: Energy (2025)
- Laser cleaning in composites manufacturing
Industry Experts
Composites Fabricating pushes further into expansion
The GBI experiences strong early year momentum amid a flurry of composites market activity.
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Carbon fiber redundancy and readiness for defense
Insights into multisite material redundancy and high-rate production for growing military demand through events like Toray’s Industry Tech Days in Alabama.
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Bonded fastening meets the digital factory
Automation and XR tools aim to scale adhesive fastening for composites at next-gen aerospace production rates.
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MANUFACTURING CONNECTED
Industry Moves Fast. We Make Sense of What's Next.
Videos/Podcasts
Episode 54: Mitchell Smith, ST Engineering MRAS
Mitchell Smith of ST Engineering MRAS shares insights on transitioning to composite single-aisle aircraft manufacturing programs, UAM’s role in tech testing and emerging automation trends shaping the industry.
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Plant tour: Haddy, St. Petersburg, Fla., U.S.
The first LFAM microfactory using composites transforms supply chains, enables local manufacturing and circularity across industries.
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Plant tour: PulFlex Technologies, Ford City, Pa., U.S.
Custom pultruder is pushing the limits of pultrusion, specializing in polyurethane resins, complex shapes and extreme sizes or thicknesses — for defense, infrastructure, industrial parts and more.
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Modular composites enable larger tanks for wastewater and biogas reactors
Toro Equipment uses biaxial fabrics, carbon fiber and Flex Molding for corrosion-resistant tanks that compete with steel, concrete and speed global installations.
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Flexible, automatic NDT platform for manufacturing composites
IRT Jules Verne, working with Airbus, Daher and French consortium developed a mobile robotic inspection platform that uses less space, water
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Modular, hybrid machining centers with intelligence for complex composites
Machine Tool Camp’s purpose-built systems combine CNC machine centers and robots with specialized machining tools, clamping and configuration, automating steps before and after, including data integration, to empower manufacturers for the future.
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Episode 53: Michael Novak, AIJ Search
Michael Novak, president of AIJ Search, dives into the evolving role of AI in the advanced materials and composites manufacturing industries, and how it is being used to navigate workforce development.
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3D Fiber Tethering for rapid fabrication of continuous fiber composites
CarbonForm’s 3DFit technology combines robotic, continuous fiber 3D printing and winding to produce small, high-strength, complex parts — like drone frames — in as little as 10 minutes.
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Episode 52: Chad Duty, IACMI
In this special National Composites Week installment of CW Talks, Chad Duty, CEO of IACMI, the composites institute, discusses the institute’s 10th anniversary, its mission in the industry and rising to meet the challenges and opportunities facing the composites industry today.
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Episode 51: Francesco Ierullo, Exel Composites
Francesco Ierullo, vice president of sales and marketing, Exel Composites discusses the role the composites manufacturing processes of pultrusion and pull-winding are playing in infrastructure and renewable energy applications today.
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Episode 50: Markus Rufer, Scorpius Space Launch Co.
In this episode of CW Talks, CW interviews Scorpius Space Launch Co. CEO Markus Rufer about the company’s all-composite cryogenic pressure vessels and their role in a range of applications, including recent and upcoming lunar lander missions.
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Episode 49: Yannick Willemin, Catalysium
Yannick Willemin, founder of Catalysium, a new consultancy that specializes in investment trends within the composites industry, discusses the investment side of advanced manufacturing as well as industry trends shaping the composites landscape.
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