23Apr

Sovereign Towpreg – Advancing Filament Winding Performance and Process Efficiency

Filament winding remains a key manufacturing process for producing high-strength, tubular composite structures used in aerospace, marine, automotive, and industrial applications. As demand grows for greater precision, efficiency, and safety, the introduction of pre-impregnated tow—Towpreg—marks a significant step forward in composite fabrication.

Eden Murphy will discuss CST Composites’ development of Australian-made proprietary Towpreg and its role in advancing filament winding. He will outline how CST’s in-house R&D in resin formulation and fibre impregnation has delivered consistent mechanical properties, faster winding speeds, and reduced material variation—enabling greater design control and improved manufacturing productivity. Eden will also explore how CST’s custom-built impregnation systems and closed-loop process controls are supporting scalable, safe, and high-quality composite production, with applications extending to pressure vessels and performance-critical structural components.

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09Apr

Innovation in Australia’s Caravan Industry: Growth, Materials Innovation and Smarter Production Methods

The Australian caravan and camping industry has experienced record growth, with Australians undertaking 15.3 million trips in 2023, generating 60.7 million visitor nights and contributing $10.7 billion to the visitor economy. Beyond leisure, the industry plays a vital role in regional tourism, local manufacturing, and employment.

This session will provide an overview of the industry’s current landscape, highlighting both the opportunities and challenges facing manufacturers and repairers. We will explore the materials currently in use and discuss the potential for advanced composites to strengthen and diversify the sector.

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08Apr

Panel discussion – Advancing Prefabricated Construction with Composite Technologies

Prefabricated construction offers a range of compelling advantages, including reduced construction time, enhanced quality control, and a highly efficient, controlled manufacturing environment that significantly minimises waste — far surpassing the conventional building model where multiple trades operate externally on-site.

The panel will discuss the significant opportunities emerging from the cross-pollination between the plastics industry and the construction sector, highlighting how integrating supply chains and manufacturing practices is reshaping the future of building.

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08Apr

Durable Coatings that Automatically Heal damage

While today’s advanced coatings are highly durable and effective, they remain vulnerable to damage from scratches, impacts, fatigue, and cracking.

Sachini will present research focused on developing an optimal polymer network that is durable, efficient, and robust, while addressing the challenges that remain. Combining durability with self-healing functionality, these coatings represent a powerful new defence against corrosion, helping to extend the life of the built environment and reduce maintenance costs.

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08Apr

Toughening epoxy networks through topological control

Epoxy resins are widely used in composites and coatings due to their excellent thermal and mechanical properties, chemical resistance, and ease of processing. However, they can be limited by low toughness and susceptibility to delamination or impact damage under certain service conditions.

Mia will present her research on enhancing the toughness of epoxy networks through topological control of the network structure, eliminating the need for traditional additives that often compromise other desirable properties and processability. Her approach involves introducing a pre-reacted epoxy-amine substructure, which is reactively incorporated into the network to create a novel fracture energy dissipation mechanism at the molecular level.

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07Apr

Composites Australia conference dinner and 2025 awards

Join us for the highlight of the conference calendar — the annual dinner, held this year in the Girdis Room at the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron. Overlooking the picturesque Manly Boat Harbour, the evening promises stunning marina views, excellent company, and a relaxed atmosphere. Join us also for the Annual Composites Australia Awards presentation. This dinner is generously sponsored by MVP. This is a night to celebrate the industry, connect with peers, and enjoy great food and conversation in a spectacular setting.

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07Apr

AI and Automation — Productivity Gains & Reframing Labour

AI, robotics and CNC technologies are rapidly transforming the manufacturing landscape, enabling businesses to boost productivity and rethink the role of labour on the factory floor. Pierre will explain how manufacturers are leveraging the operational data and hands-on knowledge already embedded in their CNC machines and broader plant equipment to drive efficiency gains.

He’ll outline how AI goes beyond basic automation, acting as a smart system that detects patterns, predicts issues, and supports faster, smarter decision-making. By maximising the performance of CNC and other factory-floor machinery, companies can reduce downtime, increase output and maintain agile workflows.

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31Mar

Unlocking the Potential of PureGRAPH® Graphene

Manny Samano will discuss the commercialisation strategy of PureGRAPH® graphene, from coatings to structural components. He will present research demonstrating that even low concentrations of PureGRAPH® enable functionalisation and integration into diverse composite matrices, delivering significant performance improvements. These include exceptional mechanical strength, electrical conductivity, thermal stability, and barrier properties, offering transformative solutions for industries such as aerospace, transport, and infrastructure.

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30Mar

GRP Cooling Water Piping – a sustainable solution for thermal power stations.

Combined cycle thermal power stations use both gas and steam turbines to produce up to 50% more electricity from the same fuel compared to single-cycle plants. Waste heat from the gas turbine powers a steam turbine, requiring a reliable cooling water system. Traditional seawater cooling materials like concrete, rubber-lined steel and stainless steel suffer from corrosion, causing costly maintenance and downtime.

This presentation examines how Glass Reinforced Polymer (GRP) piping, with its superior corrosion resistance in saline environments, is improving the reliability and sustainability of critical infrastructure. GRP enhances performance and efficiency in combined cycle power stations, helping modern plants achieve higher energy output while reducing maintenance costs and boosting long-term operational reliability.

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30Mar

Aero-line: Future Factory Simulation

Luke Preston will present an in-depth overview of the company’s planned Aero-line – a next-generation, high-rate, low-cost production line for complex aerostructures. Developed at Quickstep’s Geelong facility, a Tier 1 manufacturer for the commercial drone market, the Aero-line leverages proprietary technology, integrating advancements in 3D photorealistic digital design, AI-driven simulations and robotic automation.

Luke will share insights into the development and strategic vision behind Aero-line, which leverages established composite manufacturing technologies for airframes, redefining production efficiency, scalability and cost-effectiveness while maintaining quality and compliance standards.

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