Post Show Report

Korean government officials, local companies and institutes signed three major MOUs on JEC Asia 2019 that reflect the national “Golden Triangle” Composites strategy announced in August by Moon Jae-in, President of South Korea. Major economic investments of 7 to 8 trillion won (US$ 5.82 to 6.66) will support this strategy in the next seven years to structure and reinforce the local Composites industry.

Within this context, after three successful JEC Asia shows in Seoul, Eric Pierrejean officially announced the new name of the event, JEC KOREA, as of 2020, in order to promote the Korean composites sector and also to reinforce Seoul’s positioning as THE place to meet for the composites industry in the Asia Pacific region.

JEC Asia 2019 held a robust conference program starting with the 14th International Carbon Festival, the Symposium on Carbon Materials, and Composite Technologies in partnership with KCTech. Experts from global companies such as Hyundai Motor Group, Chomarat, Solvay Ventures, but also Airbus, Composites United, and NIO could be found among the speakers.

JEC Startup Booster competition was held for the first time in Asia this year. Five out of the ten finalists are Korea-based, reflecting once again the local economic dynamism. The competition was a great success and rewarded the following startups: Imagine Intelligent Materials (Australia- Bronze award), Dou Ys’ Chem (South Korea – Silver award), and Anisoprint (Russia – Gold award). Three of them won a chance to present their work at JEC World 2020 in Paris next March.

This year JEC Asia featured an exclusive Innovation Stage Program to put the spotlight on the startups that participate in Startup Booster competition. Communications and business experts hosted several sessions on business, management, and marketing. Among others, this stage welcomed Dongki Lee, Executive Managing Director, Innovation & Startup Group at the Korea International Trade Association (KITA); Ellen YE, Investment Director Asia-Pacific, at Solvay Ventures; Henry SHIN, Director, Kolon Composites Innovation Center…

The Innovation Planet showcased innovation parts and final products using composites in various industries.

Parts and finished products from the following companies have been presented:

The JEC Innovation Awards is a long-established and worldwide program with three simple goals: identify, promote, and reward the most innovative composite solutions in the world. On JEC Asia 2019, the winners have been rewarded for their innovative solutions, in 10 categories:

Through the exclusive Business Meetings Program, JEC Asia 2019 offered visitors and exhibitors access to effective marketing and relationship-building opportunities. These meetings were tailored to the specific needs and priorities of these professionals while allowing them to strengthen their positions, get involved in new programs, and meet new partners.

550 business meetings organized in 2019

With the support of MAI Carbon and local universities, the Student Program was also a great success with more than 300 students attending specific conferences and getting to visit the show within a guided tour.

Reserved to speakers, VIP guests and exhibitors, this exclusive networking reception offered the perfect opportunity for them to meet with composite professionals and make new business connections in an informal and relaxed environment.

Four composites sites and institutes tours were also provided to go even further in the discovery of the Korean composites’ ecosystem: