Production is now underway for the 2012 GOCarbonFibre conference, due to take place in London this October. Organisers Smithers Apex says it is excited about the return to Europe, and building on last year's resounding success it has a fresh new angle for this year's programme.

Guided by new conference Chairman, John Davidson of Carbon Fibre Technologies International, the conference will take an end-to-end look at the carbon fibre supply chain.

Starting with the raw materials and precursor production it will cover setting up a carbon fibre production line to pre-pregs, weaving and layups, design and testing of carbon fibre composite structures, failure detection and repair, recycling and end user trends.

Organisers say that whether you are an established player or looking to invest in this sector, you will find GOCarbonFibre2012 an invaluable learning experience and networking opportunity. With 20 high profile technical speakers from leading companies across this growing supply chain, Smithers Apex anticipates an audience of 130+ focussed solely on carbon fibre.

Missed Seattle last year?

GOCarbonFiber2011 took place in Seattle, USA to great acclaim from a high level crowd of carbon fibre composite experts and business leaders. A stellar speaking line up included Automobili Lamborghini SpA, General Motors, Ford Motor Company, Lotus Engineering, SGL Automotive Composites, and Vyatek Sports.

Smithers Apex says the programme was very well received by the audience of over 120 delegates from 15 countries as far afield as Australia, Iceland, Saudi Arabia, Japan and Turkey.

Topics included

• End-user perspectives from leading players across automotive, aerospace, wind energy, sporting goods and industrial applications
• Trends in demand, production and pricing
• Novel application and new regions of opportunity
• Latest developments in the recycling process and what can be done to create new composite structures from the reclaimed materials

Attendees were treated to a comprehensive social programme with a pre-conference site visit to the Automobili Lamborghini SpA Advanced Composite Structures Laboratory, followed by a well attended registration reception hosted by Washington State Department, and the Grand Evening Reception in the Red Barn, Boeing's original factory at the Museum of Flight, sponsored by Quantum Composites.

According to a new Smithers Apex market report - The Future of Carbon Fiber to 2017, over the next five years the global carbon fibre market is forecast to have an annual growth rate of 17%, reaching 118,600 tonnes, with an estimated market value of $7.3 billion by 2017. From 2012-20 the market for carbon fibre-reinforced plastics (CFRP) is projected to grow 16% annually and the industrial sector is forecast to become the primary growth market.

Further information