Composite materials are playing an increasingly important role in many user industries. Composites
United e. V. (CU) – the leading network for fiber-based hybrid lightweight construction –
would like to intensify the exchange with user industries and bring members and guests
from the industries together to discuss ideas for new applications and new technologies
. The speakers will present their projects and assessments and engage
in discussion with the participants.
“The water industry is facing major challenges in view of climate change and the high maintenance requirements
of facilities. As drivers of innovation, composite materials can
support the upcoming transformation process. Water management, the
are the areas of drinking water, wastewater, rainwater, irrigation and drainage as well as
process water for industry,” said Dr. Heinz Kolz in his welcome address at the online event
on 2 June 2025.
Glass fiber reinforced plastics – Excellent material for water management
The Industrievereinigung Verstärkte Kunststoffe e.V. (AVK) represents 230 member companies along the entire value chain in the field of reinforced plastics. The trade association aims to offer its members all the services they need from a single source and to represent their interests
. Glass fiber reinforced plastics (GRP) offer outstanding properties
such as corrosion resistance, low ageing behavior and smooth surfaces.
GRP offers great potential in the water industry for pipes, tanks, systems and work platforms. Refurbishment with GRP inliners is another major field of application.
Speaker: Dr. Elmar Witten, AVK – Industrievereinigung faserverstärkte Kunststoffe
Fittings in the water industry – potential for fiber composites?
Schönborner Armaturen from Brandenburg develops and manufactures products for the efficient and
resource-friendly transport of drinking water. The company was named one of the 100
most innovative companies in Germany and is active in the innovation cluster
Water Management. This cluster aims to network players in the water industry with the aim of
successfully shaping the consequences of climate change on water resources.
With 6,000 plant operators in Germany, innovations in the drinking water industry are
difficult to establish in the sector. This is also because plants are located underground
and last for 100 years. To promote the willingness to innovate, support
is needed from politicians. Cast components were alternatively manufactured from a zinc core and overmoulded with
glass fiber reinforced plastic. The parts are more durable, are not subject to corrosion
and weigh less. Composite materials also offer more flexibility
in terms of shaping, and the weight saving in tools offers advantages. The innovation cluster
water management wants to simulate changes and adaptations (such as
climate change or demographic change) in a real laboratory using the example of a small town in order to show users
strategies for action.
Speaker: Thomas Ebert, Schönborner Armaturen GmbH & Innovation Cluster Water Management
Is that necessary? – Damage in GRP applications despite potential properties
IMA Materialforschung und Anwendungstechnik GmbH, or IMA Dresden for short, is an independent,
certified and accredited testing center. The IMA is an internationally recognized
testing, monitoring and certification body for manufacturers and the entire supplier industry,
to make new developments marketable more quickly.
GRP applications can be found primarily in drinking, cooling, pressure and waste water systems, in
tank construction and in sewer rehabilitation with wall thicknesses of 4-30 mm. As
damage occurs time and again, four aspects need to be examined:
- Composite materials are well suited to the water industry because a wide range
of materials are available for every requirement. - The available manufacturing processes offer a choice for every application.
- Fact sheets, regulations, standards and guidelines provide users with the necessary
know-how for production. - Material and component tests provide the necessary safety in the end.
Nevertheless, damage can occur due to materials unsuitable for the application,
defective manufacture, errors in the design for long-term use and unforeseen
loads.
Speaker: Prof. Jens Ridzewski, IMA Materialforschung und Anwendungstechnik GmbH
Carbon meets water – high-tech for streams and drinking water tanks
rothycon is a partner for sustainable, lightweight and technologically advanced construction. The
company plays a pioneering role in lightweight construction and works closely with leading producers
of glass, basalt, natural and carbon fiber reinforcements.
As Network Managing Director of CU Bau in Composites United, Roy Thyroff is actively shaping the
future of construction. Non-metallic reinforcements for the construction sector can now
be designed and produced for large projects through digitalization. They offer lower
weight, CO2 reduction, no corrosion and good results in the overall cost comparison.
Hurdles in laws and funding guidelines can only be overcome with political support
. A dilapidated listed historical fountain in Berlin
could be covered with carbon concrete and preserved after cleaning. A piped 350
meter long stream under a road had to be restored. Sprayed with carbon concrete
, it was possible to dispense with tearing up the road and securing the channel with supports
. In water management, carbon concrete offers significantly better properties because
carbon concrete is not susceptible to corrosion. Water ingress in reinforced concrete means corrosion.
Speaker: Roy Thyroff, rothycon CARBON BEWEHRUNG and CU Bau
You can watch the recording of the event on the CU YouTube channel:
https://youtu.be/5ro41_Wascc.
The next event in our series:
- September 2025 “Composite material meets wind power” (14:00, online)
You will find the program and invitation in good time on the CU website. We look forward to your participation at
!
For further information, please contact:
Dr. Heinz Kolz, CU West, heinz.kolz@composites-united.com
Dr. Thomas Heber, CU East, thomas.heber@composites-united.com
Dr. Bastian Brenken, CU North, bastian.brenken@composites-united.com
Read the entire press release now: