CompositesNL
CompositesNL represents the interests of all organisations in the Netherlands that are involved in the development, manufacture, maintenance, and reuse of products in which composite technology has played a part.
CompositesNL does this by promoting the use of composite products, by expanding their applications and improving their acceptance. Composite products have value to offer society, for the corporate sector, government authorities and consumers alike.
Composites have many opportunities in growing with applications in various sectors and markets and CompositesNL has the ambition to optimally apply these growth opportunities for its members. Innovation, research, education and the labor market, quality, environment, information and information are interconnecting themes. For example, the association is affiliated with the European association EuCia and there is good cooperation with neighboring countries Germany and Belgium.
Composite products have added value for society, both for companies, governments and consumers. CompositesNL aims to stimulate the use of composite products, to increase application and to improve acceptance. To achieve this goal, CompositesNL is active in four areas;
Promotion and awareness
CNL promotes the use of composites and distributes its members’ competence widely across national and international markets, for example at trade fairs and congresses (JEC, ESEF, Composites Europe, SAMPE), the two annual General Member Meetings, and through CNL’s own communication channels. Every member is listed on the CNL website, and member news is published via both the website and social media. In addition, CNL is committed to obtaining funds to provide financial support for companies participating in international trade missions and trade fairs.
Regulation and compliance
CNL supports members by working on influencing the formulation of laws and regulations for specific sectors (maritime, construction, and infrastructure/Eurocode), as well as in the environmental and health sectors (recycling, occupational health and safety). CNL offers services at four levels:
- Lobbying for the implementation of regulations and certification requirements
- Proactively providing services in collaboration with ArboplaatsNL, which advises members in the area of RI&E
- Reactive support, for example after inspection
- Providing the BMD helpdesk
Knowledge and innovation
CNL is working with the Ministry of Economic Affairs and leading companies in high tech systems and materials to promote the development and application of composite technology. For example, CNL will represent member interests, SMEs in particular, on the Dutch Composite Platform (DCP). CNL will also regularly publish an overview of relevant financing arrangements for the composite sector.
Knowledge is acquired through education. CNL has teaching materials available at three levels: MBO (secondary vocational education), HBO (higher vocational education), and university level. Special topics such as a recent LCA in the comparison of composite with steel, concrete, and wood, are also picked up by CNL at the request of members. Knowledge is shared within theme groups on a regular basis regarding specific themes such as promotion, sustainability, thermoplastics, education, and maritime applications.
Networking
CNL provides members with access to relevant networks at European level (EuCia), as well as in the Netherlands and Belgium, for specific groups such as Young Composites for starter employees. Theme meetings are organised for specific groups of companies (members and relevant non-members) to discuss subjects in the fields of thermoplastics, maritime, and construction and infrastructure. The most important method of networking is via the CNL communication manager, which is available to distribute messages from members. The aim is to link General Member Meetings with company visits and informal meetings. Active collaboration with related trade associations such as the NMI and NRK is also sought.
