AZL Aachen GmbH
Technically and economically viable lightweight production based on fiber-reinforced plastics and multi-material systems requires an integrated approach. Due to the almost unlimited combination possibilities of different materials and the very complex interactions between materials, component design, manufacturing processes and the machine and system components, an optimal production process requires a direct link between materials science, process engineering and production technology.
As the official center for “Composite-based lightweight production” of the RWTH Aachen Campus, AZL Aachen GmbH uses its strong network to provide these capacities and opportunities on an interdisciplinary basis. Within walking distance, researchers and students are working on the latest technologies for the cost-efficient development and production of lightweight components on one of the largest research landscapes in Europe – the RWTH Aachen Campus: Aachen Center for Integrative Lightweight Design at RWTH Aachen University, Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology IPT, Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT, Institute for Automotive Engineering (ika) at RWTH Aachen University, Institute for Plastics Processing in Industry and the Skilled Crafts (IKV) at RWTH Aachen University, Institute for Welding and Joining Technology (isf) at RWTH Aachen University, Institute for Structural Mechanics and Lightweight Design (SLA) at RWTH Aachen University, Production Engineering of E-Mobility Components (PEM) at RWTH Aachen University, Machine Tool Laboratory WZL at RWTH Aachen University.
Exclusive insights into state-of-the-art lightweight construction technologies
Once a year, the AZL Open Day offers an exclusive and unique insight into the institutes’ R&D capacities in the field of lightweight construction and sustainable mobility. This year, nine AZL partner institutes opened their machine halls and research laboratories on April 9, 2025 to provide interested industrial players with comprehensive insights into their current focus areas along the value chain. Among other things, the institutes presented high-precision laser processes for plastics processing, new joining processes for thermoplastic composites, 5-axis CNC machining with real-time quality management, large-format 3D printing and their own tape lines & tape integration. Design, prototyping and testing of products & solutions such as crash-optimized vehicle structures, thermoplastic pressure vessels, digital twins for structural-mechanical monitoring as well as prototyping and recycling approaches for battery systems were also demonstrated. The range of topics, focal points & infrastructure, as seen at the Open Day, enables new technologies to be tested under real production conditions and efficiently brought to market maturity.
“The AZL Open Day is a great opportunity to discover the numerous technology centers, laboratories, prototyping and testing facilities available on the Aachen campus, making it unique in its kind. The AZL organization and the teams based there are a real catalyst for new projects and developments in the composites industry: they create the link between market analysis and technology scouting, academic research resources and business opportunities with their industrial partners. They are currently working on several topics that play a pioneering role in the field of composites,” reports Éric Pierrejean, CEO of the JEC Group. He was not only there as an interested participant, but also gave the audience an insight into the key topics and trends in the composites industry as seen at this year’s JEC World Show at the beginning of the event.
Efficient use of established infrastructures & know-how
As a central point of contact for lightweight construction solutions, the AZL offers an interface for successful cooperation between research and industry. In close coordination between scientific developments and specific customer requirements, solutions are developed in a targeted and needs-oriented manner: as part of the AZL partnership, consortial projects or individual commissions. In addition to the know-how of the institutes, cooperation with the AZL’s industrial partner network also enables direct access to the necessary infrastructure of components, materials, tools and machine and plant parts, which can be tested, developed or newly constructed in integrated process chains on a large scale.
Thanks to the close networking between science, industry and the AZL team of experts, companies can access an established infrastructure and utilize synergies for their projects.
The date for the next AZL Open Day will be announced in the second half of the year. Companies interested in gaining an insight into the research infrastructure of the RWTH Aachen Campus or using the AZL as a center for composite-based lightweight production can contact Philipp Fröhlig, Head of Industrial Services @ AZL.
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