“We had to come here, there was no other way. In fact it was more important to us this year to present our products in Krakow than in Paris at the JEC Composites Show, because this is where we have access to contacts with Polish clients. This trade fair will probably prove to be one of the more successful events of this year” was what Michał Kwaśny of the Carbon Center said about the 2nd season of KOMPOZYT-EXPO. Last year, some of the representatives of his company visited the fair, and this year they have decided to participate in a more involved way in this event, which is the only composite industry show in Poland.

“I maintain what I already said during the premiere of this trade fair last year. I am happy that finally there is a place in Poland where I can meet people from my industry. Especially as the event seems to be developing really fast. There are many more visitors, lots of interesting products and presentations this year” added Mr Kwaśny.

The 2nd season of  KOMPOZYT-EXPO Composites, Technology and Machines for the Production of Composite Materials Trade Fair gathered almost 130 exhibitors, which is double the number of clients who participated in the premiere event last year. They came from Finland, Canada, Germany, Switzerland, Great Britain, Italy and the USA.  This year’s fair was visited by almost 2000 professionals, including many guests from abroad.

“The Polish market of composites is large, perhaps the largest in Central Europe; it is increasingly specialized and it is certainly in need of such an event. I am happy that the trade fair organised in Krakow develops so fast” said Rafał Bierzanowski from C-L Ltd.

The Best Trade Fair Products

Krakow’s KOMPOZYT-EXPO 2011 was an excellent opportunity to establish contacts, and exchange information and experience from the European markets. Many new products and innovatory solutions were presented at the fair. The best were awarded with original statuettes. The competition committee comprised distinguished scientists, composites specialists and representatives of the media. Chaired by Prof. Jan Chłopek, it awarded distinctions in a number of different categories, such as:

1.  Machines and equipment for the processing of composite materials

* PHOENIX EQUIPMENT POLSKA for the APPLICATOR FOR ELF GEL COATS – the producer PHOENIX EQUIPMENT COMPANY (for universal applications and ecological solutions)

2. Materials and raw materials for the production of composites

* MILAR Ltd. for SAERFOAM – the producer SAERTEX (for an original solution to the problem of core in sandwich-structured composites

* KROSGLASS S.A. for THE GROUP OF GLASS SURFACE MATS, the producer KROSGLASS S.A. (for the pioneer preparation of glass mats with a fibre of 9 micrometer in diameter.)

* BALTAZAR KOMPOZYTY Ltd. for PALAPREG ECO P-55-01-BIOMATERIAL RESIN – the producer DSM COMPOSITE RESIN AG (for pro-ecological resin with biocomponents and the reduction of styrene emission.)

3. Composite materials products

* TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITÄT DRESDEN INSTITUT FÜR LEICHTBAU UND KUNSTSTOFFTECHNIK for eTRUST – the producer Technische Universität Dresden Institut für Leichtbau und Kunststofftechnik (for comprehensive use of composite materials and the construction of a racing car and the unique technologies used in its making)

 Unusual Concert and Futurist Racing Bolide

This year’s KOMPOZYT-EXPO was accompanied by a particularly interesting exhibition, organised by the students of Krakow’s Academy of Arts, who presented various objects made of composite materials. Our visitors could also get acquainted with the manufacturing process of very light aircraft produced at the 3Xtrim Bielsko Aricraft Factory, whereas impressive racing bolides – almost exclusively made of composites -  were presented on two other stands.

“The maximum speed of such a vehicle, equipped with an electric engine, is 200km/h. It meets all the criteria for participating in motor sports. We have applied a number of innovatory technologies for the manufacturing of composite materials  in its making, such as gas and vacuum infiltration, hot pressing and the RTM method.  It is light, durable and powered by electricity i.e. it is ecological. We are currently working on a city car made of composites” says Andrzej Czulak from the Dresden University of Technology.

The fair also featured an unusual concert, during which the Wrocław University of Technology presented unique sounding violin and guitars made of composites.

The Fair Appreciated by the Central European Composite Cluster (CECC)

The success of the 2nd season of KOMPOZYT-EXPO tells us that the composite materials market develops very dynamically. The idea of creating the trade fair was appreciated by the representatives of the Central European Composite Cluster. The newly founded cluster will associate companies and institutions based in Eastern and Central Europe which deal in composite materials. Targi w Krakowie was invited to join in.

“We are definitely happy that the trade fair organised by us is so appreciated. In the opinions expressed by various participating parties KOMPOZYT-EXPO has proven to be an excellent initiative. We have doubled the number of exhibitors and we have been visited by five hundred more professionals than last year. We are certainly flattered that our guests are beginning to mention this event in the same breath as the shows organised in Paris or Stuttgart, clearly the standards we are aiming for.  We will do everything to develop this trade fair in order to meet the expectations and become the most important meeting place of companies from Eastern and Central Europe. Let me also take this opportunity to invite you to the 3rd season of the KOMPOZYT-EXPO Trade Fair, which will take place on 22-23.11 2012” says Grażyna Grabowska, President of Targi w Krakowie.