German link for fibre cluster

GEELONG’S advanced fibre technology leaders are set to explore opportunities for collaboration with some of the biggest automotive and aerospace brands in the world.

Germany’s leading cluster in carbon fibre reinforced materials, MAI Carbon, and the Advanced Fibre Cluster Geelong have agreed to foster the collaboration under a new memorandum of understanding.

Focused on automotive, aerospace and mechanical and plant engineering, MAI Carbon’s founding partners include Audi, BMW, Premium Aerotec and Eurocopter.

The collaboration with the Advanced Fibre Cluster Geelong kicks off with a series of “virtual expos” launching on Wednesday.

The partners have agreed to discuss and develop opportunities for collaboration with a focus on:

HELPING members of both organisations gain access and expand the markets and applications for carbon fibre and carbon fibre composites;

ACCELERATING

development of net zero emissions and recycling strategies to support circular economy initiatives in both clusters; and,

SHARING knowledge to reduce costs and improve materials, parts and processes.

The first virtual event involves an introductory look at Australian and German carbon fibre composite markets with subsequent events to focus on showcasing companies, carbon fibre production, additive manufacturing and recycling of carbon fibre composites.

Advanced Fibre Cluster Geelong chief executive Jennifer Conley said that while MAI Carbon was based in the Munich, Augsburg and Innsbruck region, it was a gateway to a broad ecosystem of carbon fibre composites manufacturing excellence.

“Generating business growth and innovation depends on smart specialisation, on having critical mass and on having a degree of co-operation,” Ms Conley said.

Collaboration was a piece of the puzzle that was sometimes missing in an Australian context, she said.