SPE ACCE 2020 Virtual Conference Highlights Lanxess Technical Director as First Keynote Speaker

About the 20th SPE Automotive Composites Conference & Exhibition

Due to the ongoing COVID‑19 pandemic, the 20th SPE Automotive Composites Conference & Exhibition (ACCE) will be held virtually from September 9‑11, 2020. The event is recognized as the premier forum for automotive composites, and this year’s theme—Composites—Driving Innovative Transportation with Electrification, Mobility, Autonomy—highlights how advanced polymers are shaping the future of mobility.

Keynote Speaker: Jose Chirino

Jose Chirino, Technical Director of the High‑Performance Materials Business Unit at Lanxess Corp. and Chair of the American Chemistry Council (ACC) Automotive team, will deliver the conference’s opening keynote. He will present the ACC 2020 Plastics and Automotive Technology Roadmap for Future Mobility, detailing the critical role of lightweight plastics and composites in vehicle safety, autonomous driving, and emerging research initiatives.

Roadmap Highlights

The ACC roadmap is built around the ACCESS framework—Autonomy, Connectivity, Circularity, Electrification, Shared Mobility, and Sustainability—calling for industry‑wide collaboration to unlock opportunities across each area.

• Integration of sensors, electronics, and batteries into vehicles without added weight.
• Enhanced fuel economy and reduced greenhouse‑gas emissions through lightweight materials.
• Improved interior durability, antimicrobial surfaces, and modular components for shared and autonomous vehicles.

Event Highlights

The three‑day virtual ACCE will feature:

• ~45 technical presentations covering thermoplastic and thermoset composites, virtual prototyping, testing, reinforcement, additive manufacturing, nanocomposites, enabling technologies, sustainability, bonding, and carbon‑composite opportunities.
• 2–3 panel discussions.
• Expos from more than 50 sponsors showcasing the latest materials, processes, and equipment.
• Daily networking sessions designed to connect over 400 global attendees.

ACCE is jointly organized by the Automotive and Composites Divisions of the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) and aims to educate the industry on the benefits of composites across automotive, truck, off‑highway, and other ground‑transportation applications.