The 26th SAMPE Europe Conference, held in conjunction with the JEC Composites Show (April 5-7, 2005) in Paris, France, celebrated much that was new this year, emphasizing the rapid growth of nanotechnology and its impact on M&P professionals in the event's theme, "Nanotechnology Assists Leadership & Success of the Composites Technology." Keynoter Tia Benson Tolle, chief of the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory's (AFRL) Structural Materials Branch (Dayton, Ohio), set the stage with "From Composites to Nanocom-posites: Multifunctional Performance for Aerospace Applications." Her presentation outlined the unique processing challenges and the huge advantages inherent in the use of nanomaterials, particularly in the areas of thermal performance and electrical conductivity.

SAMPE Europe president Klaus Dreschler, in the Conference's opening session, stated that the organization's membership (~900) was approaching its previous highest level and challenged the group to reach a new goal of 1,000 members. In addition, Dreschler called on SAMPE to increase its activities globally, noting that U.S., European and Japanese chapters were working more closely together. He announced the formation of a fledgling SAMPE Europe chapter in the Czech Republic.

This year's conference attracted 93 papers, offered in 21 sessions, with three sessions devoted entirely to nanotechnologies. SAMPE Europe also organized and co-sponsored the JEC's Aerospace Forum chaired by Drechsler. Among the most notable presenters was Stephen Tsai, professor emeritus of the Aeronautics and Astronautics Dept. at Stanford University (Stanford, Calif.), who in his presentation "Thin Ply Technology: A New Opportunity For Composites," discussed a new laminate technology considered to be a significant new way to optimize composite structures. Tsai pointed out that research into composite constructions that use "spread" tows, that is, tow fibers arranged in thin, flat unidirectional orientations, such as tapes, can be woven and incorporated into laminates that are thinner than those possible with woven tow, yet exhibit the same strength as the tow before it is spread. The resulting laminate exhibits greater durability (e.g., in tension fatigue). The method therefore provides composites fabricators the opportunity to make parts using less material at reduced cost. (See also "Market Trends," in this issue, for Henrik Olofsson's discussion of the potential implications of the new technology.)

At SAMPE Europe's Gala Dinner, the group awarded special recognition to aircraft engineer Juergen Thomas, whom many consider to be the prime force behind Airbus Industrie's A380 superjumbo passenger jet, not least of which is Airbus CEO Noël Foregeard, who has credited Thomas as the "spirit of this project from the beginning."

SAMPE Europe/JEC was the forum for numerous announcements that underscored the growing health of the composites industry. Among them were the following:

Degussa AG (Düsseldorf, Germany) touted its new 6,900m²/74,270 ft² R&D facility in Shanghai, China. The collection of 21 laboratories now includes the fully operational Asia/Pacific ROHACELL Sandwich Technology Centre, which will be the focal point for training and customer service for users of its core products in the region.

SP announced completion of its expanded North American Core-Cell production unit in Magog, Quebec, Canada. The facility, which consolidates formerly separate production sites in Drummondville and Magog, now covers 23,226m²/250,000 ft², a 40 percent increase that is expected to triple core production and cut lead time to four weeks.

Arkema (Paris, France, formerly Atofina,) and nanotech developer Zyvex (Richardson, Texas) followed up their February 2005 announcement of a nanotechnology partnership with the at-show revelation of a new plant in Lacq, France, which will be capable of producing 300 tons/661,389 lb per year of multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs). Previously the Lacq plant was capable of manufacturing only 5,000 kg/11,000 lb per year.

Victrex Plc (Lancashire, U.K.) announced completion of a multi-million dollar expansion project that has increased its annual production capacity from 1,800 metric tonnes (3.97 million lb) of Victrex PEEK resin to 2,800 metric tonnes (6.17 million lb) to keep up with a 23 percent increase in sales over the past 12 months. To support future growth, Victrex is considering a new 1,000 metric tonnes or 2,000 metric tonnes (2.2 million lb or 4.4 million lb) plant either in the U.K. or China. A decision will be made in late 2005, the company says.