Highlights of the Program

2 days business program:

Learn from real-world case studies by industry leaders.

SHOWCASING INNOVATION:

Discover the latest technology and techniques from across the industry.

leaders talk:

Hear from top-level experts about how to stay ahead in a fast-changing industry.

MULTIPLE STREAMS:

A business program that is multi-disciplinary, giving you a broad view of the industry.

SMART TECHNOLOGIES:

Explore the latest smart and AI-driven solutions, and see how they can be used in your business.

roundtable discussion:

Join talks with industry peers. Share ideas, make connections, and find new partners.

Program

DAY 1 :
Wednesday, September 23, 2026
08:00 - 08:50
REGISTRATION AND MORNING REFRESHMENTS
08:50 - 09:00
OPENING ADDRESS
09:00 - 09:30
RESERVED PRESENTATION
09:30 - 09:55
ADVANCES IN DISSIMILAR MATERIAL JOINING
James Cruz
KUKA Robotics Corporation

James Cruz

KUKA Robotics Corporation

  • Learning how lightweighting trends drive the increasing need for dissimilar material joining
  • Understanding various joining methods such as mechanical fastening, adhesives, and welding
  • Exploring KUKA’s innovations and new research expanding dissimilar material welding options
09:55 - 10:00
Q&A SESSION ON DISSIMILAR MATERIAL JOINING ADVANCEMENTS
10:00 - 10:30
SPEED NETWORKING SESSION
  • Exchange business cards and get connected in short one-to-one meetings
  • Start the conversation to arrange a more formal meeting later on in the conference
  • Share your professional background and discuss your biggest business issues - don't forget your business cards!
10:30 - 11:00
MORNING COFFEE BREAK IN THE EXHIBIT AREA
11:00 - 11:30
PANEL DISCUSSION ON AUTOMOTIVE LIGHTWEIGHT MATERIALS
11:30 - 11:55
A HISTORY OF ALUMINUM INNOVATIONS TO ADDRESS AUTOMOTIVE CHALLENGES
John McGuire
Arconic Corporation

John McGuire

Arconic Corporation

  • Learning how aluminum continues gaining momentum across ICE, HEV, and EV vehicle designs
  • Discovering how lightweight aluminum reduces battery size, costs, environmental impact, and risks
  • Exploring the latest aluminum grades improving recycling, scrap opportunities, and performance
11:55 - 12:00
Q&A SESSION ON ALUMINUM INNOVATION TO SOLVE AUTOMOTIVE CHALLENGES
12:00 - 12:25
LIGHTWEIGHTING THROUGH REPLACEMENT OF SMC BY THERMOPLASTICS
Carlos Pereira
SABIC

Carlos Pereira

SABIC

  • Exploring how thermoplastics with high glass fiber content enable further weight reduction
  • Comparing material performance, life cycle impact, and processing efficiencies of SMC vs thermoplastics
  • Discussing the practical benefits of using existing SMC presses and molds for thermoplastic parts
12:25 - 12:30
Q&A SESSION ON THERMOPLASTIC REPLACEMENT FOR SMC LIGHTWEIGHTING
12:30 - 13:30
NETWORKING LUNCH AND VISITING THE AUTOMOTIVE LIGHTWEIGHT MATERIALS EXHIBITION
13:30 - 14:00
PANEL DISCUSSION ON AUTOMOTIVE LIGHTWEIGHT MATERIALS
14:00 - 14:25
USING ADVANCED OPTIMIZATION TECHNIQUES TO DEVELOP A SAFE MICROCAR
Nir Kahn
Dynamic Blue Composites Ltd.

Nir Kahn

Dynamic Blue Composites Ltd.

  • Applying FEA to strategically optimize composite materials and achieve full-size crash safety
  • Designing for scalable mass-production with efficient, low-cost composite processes
  • Creating a lightweight vehicle architecture that is cost-effective and adaptable across platforms
14:25 - 14:30
Q&A SESSION ON OPTIMIZATION TECHNIQUES FOR DEVELOPING A SAFE MICROCAR
14:30 - 14:55
PRACTICAL AUTOMOTIVE LIGHTWEIGHTING FOR REAL OEM DECISIONS
Ravi Kapur
ETCS INC.

Ravi Kapur

ETCS INC.

  • Exploring cost-driven lightweighting focusing on manufacturability and OEM decision priorities
  • Analyzing AHSS, aluminum, and gigacasting reshaping vehicle structures and supply strategies
  • Demonstrating tooling and process innovations enabling lightweighting without cost penalties
14:55 - 15:00
Q&A SESSION ON BALANCING COST, MATERIALS, AND MANUFACTURING
15:00 - 15:20
AFTERNOON COFFEE BREAK IN THE EXHIBIT AREA
15:20 - 15:50
PANEL DISCUSSION ON AUTOMOTIVE LIGHTWEIGHT MATERIALS
15:50 - 16:15
INNOVATION IN POLYPROPYLENE FOR AUTOMOTIVE APPLICATIONS
Michael Hall
Drake Extrusion

Michael Hall

Drake Extrusion

  • Introducing Drake Extrusion capabilities highlighting expertise in advanced extrusion processes
  • Examining polypropylene properties emphasizing low density and performance advantages
  • Demonstrating automotive applications leveraging polypropylene for lightweight solutions
16:15 - 16:20
Q&A SESSION ON APPLYING POLYPROPYLENE IN AUTOMOTIVE DESIGN
16:20 - 16:45
LMPAEK COMPOSITES FOR WEIGHT SAVINGS
Eric Wiita
Victrex

Eric Wiita

Victrex

  • Exploring how LMPAEK carbon-reinforced tape delivers high strength and temperature resistance
  • Understanding its application across aerospace and automotive to boost efficiency and durability
  • Discovering new innovations including composite gears, motors, and advanced hybrid production
16:45 - 16:50
Q&A SESSION ON VICTREX LMPAEK COMPOSITES FOR FUTURE WEIGHT SAVINGS
16:50 - 17:15
WHERE MAGNESIUM FITS IN A POST-CAFE, POST-EV-MANDATE LANDSCAPE
Jon Weiler
Meridian Lightweight Technologies Inc.

Jon Weiler

Meridian Lightweight Technologies Inc.

  • Quantifying HPDC consolidation reducing parts, cost, and assembly complexity
  • Demonstrating joining and corrosion stacks ensuring durability in harsh conditions
  • Evaluating NVH, EMI, and thermal gains improving electronics system performance
17:15 - 17:20
Q&A SESSION ON SELECTING MAGNESIUM FOR COST AND SYSTEM VALUE
17:20 - 18:20
NETWORKING DRINKS RECEPTION
DAY 2 :
Thursday, September 24, 2026
08:00 - 08:30
MORNING REFRESHMENTS
08:30 - 08:40
OPENING ADDRESS
08:40 - 09:10
PANEL DISCUSSION ON AUTOMOTIVE LIGHTWEIGHT MATERIALS
09:10 - 09:40
RESERVED PRESENTATION
09:40 - 10:05
THE OFTEN UNRECOGNIZED ENABLER FOR LIGHTWEIGHTING – UNDERSTANDING THE PHYSICS
Mark Dingman
Daphnis Structural Solutions

Mark Dingman

Daphnis Structural Solutions

  • Reviewing a simple load case to show how understanding physics early supports lightweight solutions and material choices
  • Examining an automotive load case to explain how differences between ICE and BEV physics impact lightweighting strategies
  • Highlighting why both OEMs and suppliers benefit equally by applying physics comprehension from the start
10:05 - 10:10
Q&A SESSION ON UNRECOGNIZED ENABLERS FOR LIGHTWEIGHT AUTOMOTIVE DESIGN
10:10 - 10:30
MORNING COFFEE BREAK IN THE EXHIBIT AREA
10:30 - 11:00
PANEL DISCUSSION ON AUTOMOTIVE LIGHTWEIGHT MATERIALS
11:00 - 11:25
RAPID ADDITIVE TOOLING FOR LIGHTWEIGHT AUTOMOTIVE STRUCTURES
Walter Jaeger
Jaeger Technology Group LLC

Walter Jaeger

Jaeger Technology Group LLC

  • Exploring large-format additive printing for forming bucks in composite structures
  • Demonstrating reduced tooling cost and faster iteration for lightweight designs
  • Detailing shop-floor lessons on materials finishing methods and tooling durability
11:25 - 11:30
Q&A SESSION ON DISCUSSION ON ADDITIVE TOOLING FOR AUTO STRUCTURES
11:30 - 11:55
ULTRALIGHT ARCHITECTED GRAPHENES AND SYNTACTIC COMPOSITES FOR THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY
Matthew Bishop
Dickinson Corporation

Matthew Bishop

Dickinson Corporation

  • Exploring how architected graphene microparticles overcome key limitations of nanocarbons
  • Discovering how nonperiodic 3D network structures enhance strength, stiffness, and energy absorption
  • Understanding scalable applications of lightweight syntactic composites in automotive components
11:55 - 12:00
Q&A SESSION ON ARCHITECTED GRAPHENES AND AUTOMOTIVE COMPOSITES
12:00 - 12:15
FEEDBACK & RAFFLE DRAW
12:15 - 12:30
CLOSING REMARKS
12:30 - 13:30
NETWORKING LUNCH

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