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ACMA CEO Cindy Squires (left) and SAMPE CEO Rebekah Stacha (right) kick off CAMX 2025 by discussing supply chains and sustainability challenges, along with opportunities for innovation.
Source (All Images) | CW

Trade shows like the Composites and Advanced Materials Expo (CAMX) often intersect with the relentless pace of magazine production. As my colleagues and I explore the show floor, we’re simultaneously racing against deadlines, finalizing articles and ensuring content is ready to publish. Back at the office, the whirlwind continues, catching up on projects left midstream. Before you know it, days or weeks have passed.

Yet, CAMX 2025, held in mid-September in Orlando, Florida, demands a deeper dive. With nearly 6,000 attendees and more than 500 exhibitors from across the globe, this year’s event — co-produced by ACMA and SAMPE — offered a snapshot of the composites industry’s trajectory, particularly in key markets like aerospace and infrastructure.

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The opening general session, led by ACMA CEO Cindy Squires and SAMPE CEO Rebekah Stacha, set a powerful tone. Addressing a rapidly evolving global landscape, the pair underscored the dual nature of today’s industry — unprecedented challenges in supply chains and sustainability, paired with immense opportunities for innovation. As Squires stated, “From sustainability to next-generation applications, the conversations and partnerships formed here will propel composites forward at a time when the world needs our solutions more than ever.”

Hexcel is partnering with A&P Technology, Hawthorne Composites, NIAR and the AFRL to use braiding and overbraiding techniques to enable high-rate production of mass aircraft solutions for defense. 

Aerospace remains a cornerstone of composites innovation, and CAMX 2025 reflected the industry’s push toward high-rate manufacturing and collaborative solutions. Hexcel, a longtime leader in the sector, doubled down on partnerships with companies like A&P Technology , Hawthorn Composites , Fiber Dynamics and HyPerComp Engineering Inc., and with organizations like Wichita State University’s National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR) and the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL). Imad Atallah, vice president of carbon fibers, matrix and reinforcements for Hexcel, emphasized the need for rapid production systems. “We want to be more intentional about collaboration,” Atallah said. “Why not collaborate with people who are innovating and accelerate?”

Hexcel’s advancements, such as IM11 high-tensile strength carbon fiber for pressure vessels with HyPerComp, as well as its cooperation with its partners and the AFRL to produce net-shape preforms for mass aircraft solutions, signal a future where speed and domestic manufacturing — aligned with U.S. policy initiatives — drive aerospace, space and defense applications.

Type 4 COPV highlighted at Hexcel’s booth at CAMX 2025. 

Meanwhile, Syensqo unveiled a breakthrough resin infusion technology qualified by the National Center for Advanced Technologies (NCAT). Marc Doyle, executive vice president for composite materials, highlighted the solution’s forgiving processing window, which enables the production of thick, complex components without exothermic risks. Targeting air mobility, defense and high-performance racing, this innovation democratizes access for smaller manufacturers by providing critical material specs without costly independent testing.

Yet, challenges loom. High material costs, even with reduced manufacturing complexity, remain a hurdle, as does the need to scale these technologies for commercial aerospace. The push for high-rate production also raises questions about quality control and long-term reliability in demanding applications. As aerospace continues to prioritize weight savings and assembly efficiency, the industry must navigate these trade-offs to fully capitalize on these innovations.

Filament-wound conduit enables low pull-through friction for long cable runs, supporting critical infrastructure.

In critical infrastructure, composites are carving out a vital role in addressing aging systems and modern demands. Westlake Corp. composites segment leader, Amitabh Bansal outlined a solutions-driven approach, focusing on lightweight materials for power transmission, data centers and infrastructure installation. Innovations like lightweight façade panels, GFRP rebars, conduits for critical infrastructure and composite piping for water and wastewater systems illustrate how composites can streamline installation and address structural burdens and longevity issues. “We don’t want just to sell a resin or a material,” Bansal stressed. “We want to bring the whole solution to the customer and solve a real problem.”

The opportunities in the infrastructure sector are immense, especially as global infrastructure needs escalate amid urbanization and climate challenges. Composites offer corrosion resistance and reduced maintenance compared to traditional materials like steel and concrete, aligning with sustainability goals. However, adoption faces significant barriers. High upfront costs, regulatory hurdles and a lack of widespread awareness among civil engineers and policymakers slow integration. Additionally, scaling production to meet infrastructure’s vast demands while maintaining cost-competitiveness remains a persistent challenge. Bridging the gap between innovation and implementation requires education, advocacy and strategic partnership.

Woven through the advancements in aerospace and infrastructure at CAMX 2025 was a broader theme of resilience. In a keynote address, futurist Sheryl Connelly challenged the composites community to prepare for uncertainty rather than predict — a sentiment that resonated deeply with an industry navigating supply chain disruptions, geopolitical shifts and sustainability mandates. Composites are uniquely positioned to address these global challenges, whether through lightweight, high-performance materials for next-gen aircraft or durable, eco-friendly solutions for critical infrastructure. Yet the path forward demands collaboration and a problem-solving mindset. CAMX 2025 wasn’t just a showcase of technology; it was a reminder of the human potential behind composites.