The company SONACA based in Charleroi has won an Innovation Award in the ‘Space’ category at JEC World 2016, held in Paris on 8, 9 and 10 March 2016.

This aerospace construction company worked together with the American specialist 3D-weaving company, Bally Ribbon Mills, for 4 years. Together, they won one of the JEC World awards, which reward the best technological achievements in various categories, including aerospace science.

This collaboration resulted in the creation of a prototype connecting element made of composite carbon-fibre materials and epoxy. This connecting element can be used to join the two upper stages of a new-generation space launcher. The proposed prototype has a diameter of 4.30m, and is lighter than the aluminium version, thereby considerably decreasing the weight of the structure and improving price competitiveness.

“This type of innovation, which is directly available to clients, creates added value for SONACA”, mentions Hugues Langer, Manager of the Development & Innovation Department of the Charleroi company.

JEC World (formerly JEC Europe) gathers together composites from all over the world in a trade fair, which this year took place on 8, 9 and 10 March at Paris Nord Villepinte.