(EnergyAsia, July 14, Monday) — Frederique Mutel, President and CEO of the JEC Group, spoke with EnergyAsia’s Rasheedah Mahfuz on its plans to organise a composite materials event in Singapore on October 22 to 24. The “JEC Show” will be supported by various agencies from the Singapore government.

1. Tell us something about the JEC Group, and composites.

Mrs Mutel: JEC was established in 1963 in Paris, France. It is a society for the dissemination of information on composite materials. JEC is a simplified joint stock company established under French law that was created by the Composites Promotion Center (CPC), a non-profit association.

Its mission is to develop products and services for its customers and for the composite industry. It supports the development of the industry by fostering knowledge transfer and exchanges between suppliers and users. To date, the JEC network connects more than 200,000 professionals worldwide from 96 different countries.

Composite materials are polymers/resins combined with other materials to form a single material (i.e. carbon fibre, glass fibre). Composite materials can be found everywhere. Composite materials have thermic insulation which is protected from the heat and cold. They are water-resistant and unlike metals, composite materials cannot corrode.

The new Airbus 380 is made up of 40% -45 % composite materials. It is lighter therefore reduces fuel consumption. Only composite materials are used for deepwater drilling as no other material is able to go deeper than 2,000 metres. All the new pipes for underwater applications are made up of composite materials.

2. The JEC Group organises the ‘JEC Show’, an exhibition for the composite industry, in Europe every year. For the first time you will be holding the ‘JEC show’ in Asia Pacific from October 22 to 24 in Singapore. What is the ‘JEC Asia show’ all about?

Mrs Mutel: The show aims to bring suppliers of composite materials and customers together on a single commercial platform to share knowledge. This will enable Asia to improve its manufacturing processes.

Currently, Asia is using the manual manufacturing processes which are less efficient, and damaging to both workers and the environment. Europe is using the automatic process which saves time, money and yields bigger profit margins.

3. How many people are you expecting for this show?

200 exhibitors and 6,000 visitors.

4. Who are some of the Singapore exhibiting companies?

The Economic Development Board (EDB), which is endorsing this show, National University of Singapore, A*Star, and the Land Transport Authority

5. What can participants expect from your first show in Asia Pacific?

It will provide updates on the latest technologies and machinery, and lots of networking opportunities.

6. Do companies inform JEC Group of deals clinched at the exhibition?

Yes, as JEC acts a middleman for suppliers and customers, we are informed of deals clinched at the show. JEC makes it a point to have a close-knit relationship with the composite companies.

7. What new technology has the industry developed that will benefit the energy industry? How will this improve energy efficiency and reduce fuel consumption?

It is not a new technology. It is a technology which European countries have adopted to manufacture these composite materials. As mentioned, Asia is currently using the manual manufacturing process which is less efficient. With the automated process, the composite materials are lighter. It is more efficient and reduces fuel consumption.

JEC Group is working closely with A*Star on the R&D of nano composites. We are unable to disclose the details at the moment. The use of nano compsites will enable us to save on materials because these require fewer molecules to build a product. A*Star is conducting advanced research on nano composites. It would have a huge impact on the energy industry.

8. How has high energy cost affected the composite industry?

With oil prices increasing, the prices of raw materials are rising. The composite industry has to switch to using automated technology and processes. With automation, the industry will use less energy and save money. The second solution is innovation. Maufacturers have to be creative and invent new processes to counter this problem.

9. The impact of rising cost of composites on the oil, gas, power and petrochemical industries. Is the rising cost of composites causing a sharp hike in construction costs and delaying the implementation of oil and gas projects?

Composite material producers (e.g. carbon fibre producers) are opening more plants to increase supplies. Five years ago, there was a supply shortage of carbon fibre. Producers sold the materials to the airlines industry and ignored demands from other industries. Now, with more plants there will be no supply shortage so the prices for materials will not increase. It will be stable.