From the Sector

The 18th World Pultrusion Conference (WPC) took place in Valencia, Spain, from 5 to 6 March 2026. Pultrusion, also known as the pultrusion process, is a highly efficient method for manufacturing fibre-reinforced plastic profiles for various applications in the construction, infrastructure and transport sectors.

Around 120 participants from all over the world attended the conference. A total of 27 speakers gave 26 presentations on the latest developments, technologies and applications relating to pultruded fibre composites. The international audience consisted of experts from industry, research and application.

The lecture program covered a wide range of topics, including current market developments, innovative applications and new material and process developments. There was a particular focus on sustainability aspects, the further development of pultrusion processes – especially in the field of thermoplastic systems – and new applications for the technology, for example in construction, infrastructure and high-tech applications. The conference thus provided an important platform for professional exchange on trends and future prospects in the pultrusion industry.
 
As the largest event in Europe on the subject of pultrusion, the English-language conference takes place every two years in a European country of significance to the pultrusion industry and is organised by the European Pultrusion Technology Association (EPTA) in cooperation with the American Composites Manufacturers Association (ACMA).

The 19th edition of the WPC will take place in Istanbul (Turkey) in 2028.

The Lenzing Group, a supplier of regenerated cellulose fibers for the textile and nonwovens industries, hosted a high‑level roundtable in Brussels to discuss how bio‑based materials can strengthen Europe’s economic security and support the shift toward a fossil‑free future. Organized in cooperation with Euractiv, the event brought together representatives of the European Commission, the UK Mission to the EU, academia, civil society, and industry. 
 
Speakers included Aurel Ciobanu‑Dordea, Director for Competitive Circular Economy and Clean Industrial Policy at the European Commission’s DG Environment, Dr. Daniel Bradley, Deputy Counsellor & Head of Climate and Environment at the UK Mission to the EU, and Patricia A. Sargeant, Executive Vice President Nonwovens Commercial at the Lenzing Group. 
 
A key topic of discussion was the potential of cellulosic fibers as fully bio‑based, biodegradable alternatives in nonwoven applications such as wet wipes. While Europe has the industrial foundation to scale these fossil‑free materials, competitiveness is constrained by global regulatory and cost asymmetries. Lenzing identified clear, coherent policy signals – including possible updates to the Single Use Plastics Directive (SUPD) –as essential for investment certainty and broader market uptake. 
 
“Europe has set ambitious goals for a clean‑industry transition. Our roundtable in Brussels showed that bio‑based materials are not a future vision – they are a practical, scalable reality today. As an integrated cellulosic fiber producer with deep European roots, Lenzing helps strengthen industrial resilience while accelerating the shift away from fossil‑based synthetic fibers,” said Georg Kasperkovitz, Member of the Management Board of Lenzing Group. 
 
Lenzing reaffirmed that industrial competitiveness and climate ambition can reinforce each other. Its specialty fibers, produced from renewable wood, offer lower greenhouse gas emissions compared to generic alternatives and are certified biodegradable and compostable. The company’s climate targets align with the 1.5‑degree pathway and have been validated by the Science Based Targets initiative. 
 
“Maintaining and expanding European production capacity is essential for supply‑chain resilience and strategic autonomy. Lenzing operates major integrated pulp and fiber sites in Austria, Czechia, and the UK, with Europe‑based R&D supporting jobs, innovation, and technological know‑how within the region. Cellulosic fibers play a critical role in single-use products for hygiene applications – underscoring the need to redesign products toward biodegradable material solutions that address SUPD concerns and microplastic pollution,” emphasized Patricia A. Sargeant. 

Monforts has launched a new digital platform designed to give textile manufacturers faster, more intuitive access to the company’s finishing technologies, technical expertise and aftersales support worldwide.

A key feature of the new website is a series of interactive 3D tours covering the company’s principal technology ranges. Visitors can virtually explore the latest MONTEX stenter lines, MONFORTEX sanforising systems and THERMEX continuous dyeing technologies as well as the different coating options and exhaust air cleaning modules, moving around each installation to examine configurations, key components and optional features aimed at maximising efficiency and boosting output.

The platform has also been developed to streamline day-to-day interaction with existing customers. Ordering spare parts and arranging service support can now be initiated directly via a simplified contact tool, ensuring rapid routing of enquiries to the relevant specialists.

In addition to new machinery, the website provides comprehensive information on the modernisation of installed Monforts lines. This includes upgrades to advanced drive systems and software, as well as a broad range of energy-efficiency and resource-saving options that enable customers to enhance performance and extend machine lifecycles.

“Our new digital platform has been developed with a clear focus on usability and accessibility,” says Nicole Croonenbroek, Marketing Manager at Monforts. “It allows customers to engage directly with our technologies and experts, while making essential services such as spare parts and technical support quicker and easier to access. It reflects our ongoing commitment to long-term partnership and continuous improvement.”