JEC World 2026: Composites Meet Additive Manufacturing at the Worlds Largest Composites Event

The Composites Industry Embraces AM

JEC World 2026 kicked off March 10th at Paris Nord Villepinte Exhibition Centre, bringing together over 45,000 professionals from 100 countries. What was once primarily a composites manufacturing event is now increasingly becoming a showcase for additive manufacturing technologies.

Key Highlights

Airtech and Sustainable Materials: Airtech is showcasing new sustainable composite materials and 3D printed tooling at booth 5G43. They are introducing Dahltram A270CF, a fully recycled carbon fiber-reinforced polyamide resin designed specifically for large-scale additive manufacturing.

NUGAE and Robotic Large-Format Printing: The company is demonstrating robotic 3D printing capabilities for large marine structures, showing how composites manufacturing is moving beyond traditional methods.

Thermwood LSAM: Thermwood is providing live demonstrations of their Large Scale Additive Manufacturing (LSAM) systems, bridging the gap between theory and practical application.

Perseus Materials: The Lockheed Martin-backed startup is showcasing their self-propagating composite manufacturing technology that promises faster production, lower energy demands, and field-deployable manufacturing capabilities.

Why This Matters

The convergence of composites and additive manufacturing represents a significant shift in how aerospace, automotive, and marine industries approach production. Large-format additive manufacturing (LFAM) is enabling:

• On-demand production of large structural components
• Reduced material waste compared to traditional subtractive methods
• Complex geometries previously impossible to manufacture
• Sustainable manufacturing through material recycling

JEC World 2026 runs through March 12th, with the Composites Exchange featuring presentations from industry leaders including Toray Group.