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Ilkay Özkisaoglu

Since 04/2021 177 Episoden

#174 Introducing EuCIA'sgame-changing initiative: the European Composites Circular Alliance (ECCA)

09.07.2025 19 min Staffel 5 Episode 132

Zusammenfassung & Show Notes

The future of composites is circular—and it starts now.

At the stunning Villa Erba during JEC Forum Italy, I had the opportunity to speak with RAPHAEL PLEYNET, Managing Director of The European Composites Industry Association; EuCIA about a game-changing initiative: the European Composites Circular Alliance (ECCA).

Launched at JEC World 2025 in collaboration with the European Commission, ECCA is a voluntary, industry-led movement to accelerate circularity in the composites sector.

It’s inspired by the success of the Circular Plastics Alliance (CPA)—but tailored to the unique challenges and opportunities of composites.

What makes ECCA different?

It’s proactive:

The composites industry isn’t waiting for regulation. It’s stepping up now.

It’s inclusive:

Open to all players—raw material suppliers, OEMs, recyclers, waste managers, and even individual experts.

It’s action-oriented:

Starting July 3, 2025, ECCA will launch executive working groups to tackle real-world challenges—waste codes, logistics, recycling standards, and market development for recyclates. (Join us live on 3/7/2025 at 10.30am (CEST), Link in the comments)

It’s timebound:

With a 2–4 year horizon, the goal is to deliver tangible results fast.

This initiative is not just timely—it’s essential.

The European Commission’s Clean Industrial Deal calls for decarbonization, circularity, and innovation across all sectors. ECCA is a direct response to that call, offering a roadmap for sustainable growth in a sector that’s often overlooked but critical to Europe’s green transition.

As Raphael said, “We don’t want to wait for regulation. We want to be proactive.” And that’s exactly what ECCA is doing—turning sustainability into a business case, not just a buzzword.

If you’re part of the composites value chain, this is your moment. Join the alliance (Link in the comments). Shape the standards. Influence the future.

Signing up takes one minute. Participation is free (Link in the comments). The impact? Potentially transformative. I have been the first signatory in fact with Composites Lounge

Watch the full 10-minute interview to hear Raphael’s insights and learn how you can get involved. Because the more voices we have, the stronger our collective impact will be.

Celebrating 20 Years of Assocompositi and the Launch of the European Composites Circular Alliance (ECCA)

At the recent JEC Forum Italy 2025, held in the stunning Villa Erba on Lake Como, Ilkay Özkisaoglu had the privilege of speaking with Prof. Roberto Frassine—President of both Assocompositi and The European Composites Industry Association; EuCIA —about two major milestones shaping the future of composites in Europe.

🎉 Assocompositi Turns 20

Founded in 2005, Assocompositi has grown from 20 founding members to over 80 today, becoming the authoritative voice of Italy’s composites industry. Over two decades, the association has championed innovation, sustainability, and international collaboration. It offers technical and regulatory support, market studies, green certifications, and training programs. Assocompositi has also played a pivotal role in promoting circular economy solutions and end-of-life strategies for composites [1].

🌍 Introducing the European Composites Circular Alliance (ECCA)
Launched by EuCIA in partnership with JEC, the ECCA is a bold new initiative to build circular and competitive value chains for composites across Europe. Inspired by the Circular Plastics Alliance, ECCA aims to:

-Promote design for recycling
-Improve waste collection and sorting
-Boost recycled content in new products
-Guide R&D and investment
-Establish a monitoring system for recycled volumes

Prof. Roberto Frassine emphasized the importance of aligning with the European Commission’s dual focus on sustainability and competitiveness. With DG GROW as a key partner, the Commission has joined ECCA as an observer, ensuring strategic alignment with EU policy goals.

🗣️ “We want to prove that composites are not only recyclable in theory—but recycled in practice,” said Frassine. “ECCA is open to all stakeholders. Just sign the declaration—no fees, just commitment.”

What’s Next? Join the Movement

The ECCA is actively forming working groups, and participation is open to all interested parties. As Prof. Frassine put it, “Be part of the next big thing in the composites industry.”

📆 Save the Dates: JEC Forum Expands in 2025

Krakow, Poland (JEC Forum Central Europe): September 2025
Dresden, Germany (JEC Forum DACH): October 21–22, 2025 [3]

Both forums offer tailored business matchmaking between buyers and suppliers. Applications are still open for seller booths and buyer participation—a unique opportunity to connect with the composites community in Central and Eastern Europe and the DACH region.

🔗 Get involved. Shape the future.

Whether you're a manufacturer, policymaker, or innovator—now is the time to engage with ECCA and the JEC Forum network.

Transkript

So this is day two now at JEC Forum Italy, This is the second day of JEC Forum Italy 2025 Welcome to the nice Villa Erba and the conference sessions we are having here. and we are going strong. Together now with me is Raphael Pleynet. And now together with me is a dual president, I've met Raphael many many times. He's the managing director of the EUCIA. And with him, I would like to talk particularly about president of Assocompositi, the European Composite Circular Alliance (ECCA). The execution part. the Italian association for the composites, There's a strategic part together, for example, with the European Union/Commission and then, of course, and he's also the president of EUCIA. there's this execution part. So tell us about where are you right now standing as a short intro to this topic. Okay. But thank you to give us the opportunity in this fantastic location, at the Lake of Como. So where we are on this alliance (ECCA)? And we will talk with him first now about Assocompositi, We launched it at the JEC WORLD 2025, where you were the very first signatory. I remember, because Assocompositi has now his 20th birthday. in cooperation with the European Commission. The launch has been very successful, and that's why we went to a schedule to the declaration. And I've congratulated you yesterday also on LinkedIn, So it means now, since two weeks, you can go on our website and you can be part of the alliance because LinkedIn has announced that you and part means that we will be together in 3 weeks (3rd July 2025) online meeting with, are 20 years with Assocompositi again, with the Commission So congratulations. to really start the work. So it means this alliance Thank you very much. has a very And twenty years. It's impressive. we can review the ambitions and the different objectives, It has been twenty years of continuous improvement. but the thing is, we want to be very pragmatic and quick. So it means from July 2025, there will be executive working group, We grow old which will start to work on the subjects. Today is very hot here inside. during these activities, I would suggest we go outside and show our community but I'm very proud to see around me, what wonderful environment we are in. Right? There would be all jealous, but yes, it's a pleasure. many of the friends of the first years Let's go outside. Yes. Absolutely. So much nicer here outside, that stay with us with all those twenty years a bit, more relaxed style, right? To continue our discussion and more have added to this group. about circularity, and we see this fantastic tree here. So we need to preserve the nature. So that's, our all combined mission. So we started with twenty companies as a member, And as Composites Lounge, we agree on that. Absolutely. We always say creating sustainable value. and now we are more than eighty. So you introduced us to this idea of the Circular Alliance. So we are proud of what we did. And now the European Commission has carried this out already with plastics. So eighty is quite a good number, Right? Can you walk us through but there's still opportunity to grow. what did the plastics alliance achieve? What did they do maybe well There is room to grow. that can be applied here also? And maybe what can be improved And when we will reach one hundred, and where do we divert? From what plastics is doing to composites? So that's clear, we will do another celebration for sure. the alliance we have developed is inspired from what has been done Another celebration at a nice location by what we call CPA, the circular plastic alliance. like here in Villa Erba (Lake Como). The difference is, at that time What do you think? the European Commission decided, Shall we go outside? okay, we need to put some regulations, Because we have nice weather here today? and we need to gather all the industry together for them to contribute. Let's go outside. So they took the lead on that one. This is a wonderful day, And they wanted to achieve very clear objectives in terms of quantities of volume recycled, and it's a wonderful location. but also develop standards. So let's do it. So what did open the alliance in 2018 So Roberto, let's talk about the ECCA they closed it in 2023 you see it's a short. I mean, five years is not so long. Ah the alliance is timebound? European Composite Circular Alliance. Yes, absolutely. Because they achieved their purpose, one of the things was to develop standards. And you know, there is no industry You have been initiating this without standards and with the European Commission. standards about recycling, the quality of recycling First of all, thank you very much and also how to recycle. So that part has been achieved. for this great idea, And then, because after that because that requires a bold decision to make this. you had the COVID period and so on, in terms of volume achieved, they were not there yet. But the dynamic is there. So that's what they achieved. And my question to you is And from there, how difficult was the process for you? our president, Professor Roberto Frassine, he said let's do the same for the composites. Was it just take the phone call up The composites you have to know is a small market compared to plastic So the commission could not really and convince them? dedicate all their strengths Walk us through the process, please for small markets. So we say, let's do differently. We go to the commission. The process was pretty smooth We explained that we, Since we had this idea to help the industry to build a as let's say, a mature industry saying we want to have a sustainable vision. We don't want to wait you to regulate. We want to be proactive. recycling supply chain which can prove And that's what we did. And then, that's really the reason now we are let's say, that not only composite materials are recyclable, putting in place the things with all the industries coming in. When I say the other industries, you have the raw material, but they are also recycled in practice. you have the transformers, the tier one, the OEM, but also we have the recyclers, We got inspiration from the Circular Plastics Alliance, which is very important. The waste management company. So all the value chain is here. And then This also has to be orchestrated which was launched by the commission in 2018 and organized. Yeah. That's really what is in front of us. So how it's going to work? to increase significantly the uptake First, we have a kind of online kickoff meeting in three weeks (3 July 2025), of recycled plastics in the market. we are going to propose, different working groups, because the issue is there. We have the volume of waste And, so we, talked to the very same people we have also all the material which have been designed for composites, and we need to work in parallel saying, okay, first, we can recycle materials. that were managing the Circular Plastics Alliance, So how do we do that? So we have to develop waste code. We have to work and we told them, on the logistic of all these things. hey, would you be interested in Then we have to work also with the recyclers. And what do we do with the recyclat supporting a similar initiative with the product which has been recycled? So we need to open new markets. Okay. for composite materials? We need somewhere And they were pleased to do that. I would say change the paradigm and stop saying it's possible to recycle, Okay, So it was pretty easy. which is today we can demonstrate we can recycle. Pretty easy at that point. Is possible, Yeah. It's recycled. So it means, yes, we can do. So we have, many spots, And we have already a few, not more than a few, dear community here. but some good examples around Europe, Very nice spots at the Villa Erba. demonstrating that it works. And it's a business case, And as you have seen with, some other CEOs, because what is very important is not only doing that technically, I've done already the beautiful scenery. but make sure that it's a value. It's an opportunity for all the value chain. But with Roberto, we have decided to stay And it has to be a business case. Okay. in the corporate level, So let's have a walk to the lake, and then I have a final question to you. so that you see there's not only the villa, So how do you like it? Wow. You know, but also an exhibition center. I'm just enjoying looking at the view. That's fantastic. And my question now, Roberto is, It's stunning. That's very inspiring also. That's good. how easy or difficult, is it to You cannot smell what we are smelling here, deal with the European Commission? but there's a short, small natural. The flowers are blooming right now, I mean, I can imagine it's not so easy. so it's incredible. And and the water, So how do you keep the as I said, yesterday, that are fed by the Alps, relationship to this commission? by the glaciers. So it also takes, The key point is the person of course, some of the heat. Today is very, very, warm, and the sun is, that you have as a contact blinding we would say in Germany, but, that's another story. into the European Commission. So come here and have your walk here. We decided to go for the DG Grow (Directorate-general), The last point, community I would like to ask you is, by the bottom of my heart, please go and sign and, because they are very sensitive participate in this European Composites Circular Alliance. Because the more people we have involved, to the needs of the industry. the more power we will exert as a community. Raphael, how can people, And we have been regularly talking to them join this alliance? What you said is absolutely perfect. Nothing to add. So first, in order to align the purposes the alliance is open for all players in the value chain of composites. of the alliance with the needs Either you are a single expert. You are an industry. of the Commission You are an association. and the economy in Europe. You are an interested party. So it's very simple. They are still focusing on sustainability, You have to go on the EUCIA website or to flash the QR code, and then you have an access how to join. So you have to sign the declaration, but more and more, and then you are a member. the EU commission is focusing on competitiveness. It's free of charge. And the only things we expect from the community joining us, it's really to dedicate some time So we will have to join the two topics together, based on your expertise or your motivations and contribute on the different working groups, because the work and they accept it to participate has to be done. It will be through the working group. So the alliance is to work, into the Alliance as observers. but we have to make it happen. So we have a two, three, four years to do that. So they will stay in the, whatever it is, So we need to have the energy and to keep the momentum. So it will be a compressed energy, compressed tasks. the, directorate of the Alliance to make And how many working groups do you expect? So we expect at least five or six. sure that every decision we We haven't, and we have a conversation actually tomorrow to define take and our targets are aligned with the different working groups. And we would see also depending the targets of the commission. on the the participant. Maybe we'll open some new, So we will add a kind of external working groups relevant. So it's also very interactive. support from the commission. Being part of the alliance, you share your ideas, And this is, so valuable, Okay. That's what it is. Make some input also because as a composite industry. and influence the person. Yeah. So we are each working group, I always say we are, say the most complicated, we have a specific mission, a specific buyer or specific things to achieve. And then a chairman the most innovative materials concept, or chairwoman will be elected who is going to report to the rest. So also there will be a lot of and to get support from the European Commission is communication in between the working groups. That's the way it would be efficient. So that sounds really already so important so that we can still thought through and organized! Congratulations on your work, Raphael. in the future drive innovation. And Roberto, of course. Absolutely. And, yeah, community, And, the new technologies as I said, that we are bringing up, sign the letter. It's, one minute, are in line with sustainability. where you put your name and drop your email address And, therefore, we are serving really the and get verified. And then off we go. purpose of the European Commission Thank you so much. Exactly. Thank you. And the Clean Industrial Deal. And maybe, Ilkay, you can offer a tour So we will make sure that this is, of the people around here. Yes. You're all invited here, but I'm leaving tomorrow back to Germany. the final goal. We were together with the commission How do we connect you with stories within the composites and sustainable materials industry? and the industry. We are on the ground And to make sure that to find the facts. We examine big innovative ideas. composite materials that are essential We let diverse perspectives on technology and sustainability emerge, for the green deal are recognized and ignite conversations that matter most and supported by the commission. to bring you the composites and sustainable materials world. That's a goal. Stay informed, stay connected, And you had this stay inspired. European policy maker at JEC World 2025. From our online studios in Germany, covering events and corporates from France, Italy, UK, Right? Central Europe, Exactly, we invited them, and many more European regions. to present their activities Join us for creating sustainable value. With #Composites360onTour, Composites Lounge Engineering Talks, and the new program of the commission. and Composites Lounge End-user Panels hosted by Ilkay Ă–zkiaoglu weekly on LinkedIn, And we will continue to do so. YouTube, and your preferred podcasts. Okay. So, Raphael said there will be soon a gathering (join us on 3 July 2025). There will be soon set up some working groups. And I'm really excited to see that. I hope that you will be participating. I already raised my hands. Happy to support that. I want to to tell people that, the participation or to the alliance is open to everybody who is interested in the topics. They only have to sign the declaration. It's free of charge, and everybody is invited, and, you can join the alliance anytime. For making sure that you are part of the next big thing in the composite industry. Very exciting. Roberto one more time. Happy birthday to Assocompositi Thank you. Congratulations for this really nice venue today. I mean, you have been the key organizer, and, thanks for also the invitation, the surrounding, and everything. It was a teamwork. It's a teamwork. And JEC Group was essential to the success Absolutely, of this initiative It was really a fantastic project of JEC Yes. Absolutely. So thank you so much. One more time. And, thank you. See you next time. Thank you for listening. How do we connect you with stories within the composite and sustainable materials industry? We are on the ground to find the facts. We examine big innovative ideas. We let diverse perspectives on technology and sustainability emerge and ignite conversations that matter most to bring you the composites and sustainable materials world. Stay informed. Stay connected. Stay inspired. From our online studios in Germany, covering events and corporates from France, Italy, UK, Central Europe, and many more European regions. Join us for creating sustainable value. With #composites360onTour Composite Lounge Engineering Talks and Composites Lounge End-user Panels hosted by Ilkay Özkiaoglu. Weekly on LinkedIn, YouTube, and your preferred podcasts.