Italy’s industry association for composite materials turns 20 this year! Assocompositi’s president, Professor Roberto Frassine, introduces the organisation’s objectives and plans for the future.
Could you provide a brief introduction of your association?
With more than 80 industrial members, Assocompositi is the voice of the composite materials sector in Italy. Since 2005, we have been working to spread the knowledge of these materials,
Assocompositi celebrates its 20th anniversary this year.
ensure a fair and competitive market, and promote innovation through collaboration with industry, universities, and institutions.
We represent our members’ interests and provide services such as technical and regulatory support, market studies, price reports, technical documents, networking, green certification for composites, conferences, events, and training schools.
Assocompositi is a member of the international organisations EuCIA and FEMS, and of the Italian associations UNIPLAST, FINCO and Lombardy Mobility Cluster.
What is your strategy?
Assocompositi protects the interests of Italian companies operating in the composites sector, offering them exclusive expertise and services. It provides technical-scientific, regulatory, and strategic consulting, as well as industry studies.
We organise events and working groups to foster networking among companies. We also promote research and the development of circular and sustainable technologies to support the sector’s growth.
The Italian Pavilion at JEC World.
What are your key initiatives related to sustainability?
Assocompositi plays an active role in Italy in multiple initiatives aimed at advancing the industrialisation of circular economy solutions. The association works closely with industry stakeholders to identify and implement viable, sustainable end-of-life (EoL) strategies for composite materials. Actively contributing to discussions and policy development on waste management, the association plays a role in shaping regulations related to composites EoL.
How does being a member of EuCIA assist you in your work?
Being part of EuCIA offers us a significant added value in terms of international collaboration and mutual knowledge exchange. This collaboration ensures our members are represented at the European level in all regulatory activities of interest to our sector.
The JEC World 2025 conference Italy’s Industry Solutions for the Advancement of Composite Materials Circularity.
Circularity issues are among the most urgent, and that is why we warmly welcomed the recent launch of the European Circular Composites Alliance, with which we fully intend to collaborate.
Where do you see your association in 10 years from now?
In recent years, Assocompositi has strengthened its presence through strategic collaborations in sectors like automotive, marine, rail and construction. These partnerships aim to develop research, innovation, and internationalisation projects, facilitating access to new public funding opportunities.
JEC Forum Italy takes place every two years.
Additionally, Assocompositi has co-organised significant events such as the JEC Forum Italy, in collaboration with the JEC Group. With the second edition, scheduled in June 2025 on Como Lake, we will continue to foster dialogue among industry professionals, highlighting the dynamism of the local composites ecosystem in Italy.
Considering these initiatives and our ongoing commitment to promoting the composites industry, we expect that, in 10 years, Assocompositi will continue to expand our network of collaborations, both nationally and internationally. The association’s aim is to increase our number of members, including a broader range of companies and academic institutions.
Assocompositi will play also a key role in the development of new sustainable technologies in the composites sector, actively participating in European and international research projects. Furthermore, events like the JEC Forum Italy may become even more established, promoting innovation and networking among industry professionals.
We hope to be on track to become an increasingly influential reference point in the field of composite materials, making a significant contribution to the growth and innovation of both the Italian and European industries.
Further information: www.assocompositi.it
Professor Roberto Frassine has been President of Assocompositi since 2005. He has also served as the President of EuCIA since 2013, where he leads EuCIA’s mission to support the sustainable growth of the European composites industry and its initiatives to demonstrate the circularity of composite materials.
Roberto holds a degree in Chemical Engineering and a PhD in Materials Engineering. His academic career spans more than 30 years in teaching and research roles at the Politecnico di Milano in Italy, where he is currently Professor of Polymeric and Composite Materials in the Industrial Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Department. He has contributed to more than 70 peer-reviewed technical and scientific publications.
Roberto is also President of UNIPLAST, the Italian standards organisation for plastics and composites.
