2024 ACMA Annual Report
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2024
ANNUAL
REPORT
OUR MISSION
ACMA enables the delivery of leading composite
material solutions for the growth of all industry
segments through:
•
Expert advocacy & strategic communications
•
Insight, Education, networking & workforce
development
•
Technical expertise & standards development
ABOUT
OUR VISION
To make
composites the
sustainable material
of preference.
OUR VALUES
•
Shared Voice: ACMA convenes the industry and is
the trusted voice to advance a strong collaborative
composites industry with respected policy experts,
industry leaders and advocates, with industry leading
data.
•
Science: Our leadership of the industry is predicated
on the foundation of strong science ensuring that
composite technology is always viewed as an
innovative, reliable, responsible, and sustainable
industry.
•
Standards: Incorporating composites into the work of
established standards developing organizations will
ensure a regulatory framework that supports the
composites industry to deliver the materials solutions
that enable our growth.
•
Support: Our team is committed to provide the range
of activities to support the growth of our industry
through education, representation, events and public
affairs.
• Service: An association is nothing without our
members and we will provide a superior level of
service.
Dear ACMA Members,
As we reflect on another year, it is with great pride and gratitude that we
present our fiscal year 2024 Annual Report. This report is not just a summary
of our activities and achievements, but a testament to the collective effort and
unwavering dedication of our members, sponsors, partners, and staff.
The past year has been marked by significant milestones, such as hosting
our largest Fly-In with more than 60 attendees, and transformative initiatives,
like our LCA + EPD Generator program, that have advanced our mission and
strengthened our industry. Despite the challenges we face, our resilience
and commitment have enabled us to achieve remarkable progress in expert
advocacy, workforce development, and technical expertise and standards
development. This year we were pleased to initiate the Utility Pole Product
Category Rule (PCR) that was published in February 2024, marking a
significant milestone in the advancement of sustainable infrastructure
solutions and being one of the first multi-material PCRs.
We have expanded our programs, advocated for critical issues and fostered
stronger connections among our members. Our Thermoplastic Composites
Conference, Composites in Washington Fly-In, Composites Sustainability
Today, and GM Composites Tech Day events provided valuable opportunities
for networking, learning, and collaboration.
None of this would have been possible without the active engagement and
support of our members. Your participation, feedback, and contributions
have been instrumental in shaping our initiatives and driving our success. We
are deeply grateful for your trust and confidence in our association. As we
look ahead, we remain committed to advancing our mission and exploring
new opportunities to serve our members better. We will continue to innovate,
advocate, and collaborate to ensure that our association remains a vibrant and
influential force in the composites industry.
Thank you for your continued support and dedication. Together, we can make
composites the sustainable material of preference.
Sincerely,
Megan Multanen
Cindy L. Squires, Esq.
President & CEO
Chair, ACMA Board of Directors (2023-2027)
A MESSAGE TO
OUR MEMBERS
Cindy L. Squires, Esq.
PRESIDENT & CEO
Megan Multanen
CHAIR, ACMA BOARD
OF DIRECTORS
(2023-2027)
GOVERNMENT
RELATIONS
Legislative and
Regulatory Victories
• ACMA successfully advocated for the inclusion of aerospace
research and development language in the Federal Aviation
Administration Reauthorization Act, making it the only material-
specific provision apart from microchips.
• ACMA played an active role in ensuring the proper implementation
of previous legislation. Through comments submitted to the Biden
Administration, ACMA advocated for the appropriate enforcement
of new domestic content requirements under the Infrastructure
Investment and Jobs Act.
TSCA Regulatory Advocacy
ACMA continues its proactive stance in navigating regulatory actions under the Toxic Substances
Control Act (TSCA). ACMA educated Environmental Protection Agency staff about the industry’s
significant contributions to job creation and the crucial role of composites in enhancing
sustainability and infrastructure resilience. Through engagement with a specialized law firm
and active participation in stakeholder groups, ACMA ensures effective advocacy and counsel,
safeguarding the interests of the composites industry. Read the ACMA Insider newsletter or join
the Regulatory Steering Committee to stay abreast of these important developments.
“In addition to the great connections
within the industry, ACMA has been
our connection to Washington. The
ACMA team helped us engage our
U.S. Senate offices as we sought
federal support for our latest
greenfield expansion. The team
scheduled calls with the appropriate
staff, helped us prepare for meetings,
and provided follow-up.”
KEN MCDONALD, CHIEF FINANCIAL
OFFICER, GEOTEK
Bringing Composites to Capitol Hill
With a historic turnout of more than 60
members from the entire composites
value chain, our Fly-In in Washington,
D.C. engaged with Congress and the
Administration on the benefits of
composites in industries across the nation.
ACMA once again partnered with the
International Cast Polymer Association and
welcomed IACMI and SAMPE participants
to ensure the broadest representation of our
industry.
The Fly-In aimed to support efforts to
include composites language in legislation
funding and authorizing the activities of
the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and
to gain political support for the joint
ACMA and IACMI grant application to
expand our industry’s capacity to produce
Environmental Product Declarations, a
requirement for suppliers of federally
funded infrastructure. Participants also
advocated for changes to U.S. tax law
to allow full research and development
expensing in the corresponding year.
Additionally, ACMA supported the
Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow’s
Workforce Act (S.722/H.R. 1477)
which expands 529 savings plans
to include tuition for technical
certifications such as ACMA’s
Certified Composites Technician
program.
Driving Business Development and Creating Lasting Impact
The Composites Growth Initiative's (CGI) eleven business councils
conducted over 80 results-oriented meetings that addressed planning and
execution of education, marketing, standards development, industry
outreach and advocacy initiatives. Many of the CGI Councils created task
groups to work on a variety of important subjects such as:
•
Supporting sustainability education and standards development of
Product Category Rules (PCR) which then can be used by companies to
create Environmental Product Declarations for FRP rebar and utility pole
products.
•
Developing a workforce training course for electrical utility lineman to
properly and safely handle and install FRP utility poles.
•
Developing education products for civil/structural engineers on the use
of the new ASCE/SEI 74 design standard for pultruded FRP composites
in the form of tutorials and design examples.
The CGI program continues to work directly with customers and end users
of the composites industry providing new relationships and opportunities
for members. Ongoing collaboration with the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers educates them on composites products to address their need
to upgrade dozens of lock and dam facilities. CGI also engaged
automotive OEMs to conduct Composites Technology Days, an initiative
to educate users on relevant technology advancements with Hyundai-Kia
and General Motors and explore future events with other leading
automotive OEMs. CGI is engaging state Departments of Transportation
to help educate engineers on composites and showcase technology
advancements to help DOTs maintain their assets.
Thanks to over 60 industry leading material suppliers, distributors, and
affiliate member companies that provided voluntary contributions to
the CGI Fund, ACMA has been able to continue the productive work on
composites sustainability and prepare the composites industry and
member companies for new regulations and requirements from all markets,
especially construction and infrastructure. The CGI Fund also provided for
the development of an enhanced FRP Pedestrian Bridge design specification
for the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials
(AASHTO), an important tool for bridge designers to properly design and
specify products in the infrastructure market. The CGI Fund also enhanced
the ACMA CCT program and workforce development initiatives by assessing
and evaluating the needs of the composites industry that will impact future
direction and CCT products for education.
•
ACMA and EuCIA co-hosted the Sustainability Forum at JEC in
Paris, France. The Forum was organized by the Global Composites
Sustainability Coalition, with ACMA acting as a secretariat. ACMA Staff
delivered a presentation titled “Advancing Sustainability Initiatives and
Policy Advocacy in the USA.” This was one of six presentations in this
session with participants from other global trade organizations.
•
ACMA presented a keynote presentation at the Global Pultrusion
Conference in Hamburg, Germany highlighting ACMA’s involvement and
commitment with the promulgation of the new ASCE design standard
that was published in early 2024.
COMPOSITES GROWTH INITIATIVE (CGI)
STANDARDS & INDUSTRY COLLABORATION
Driving Consensus
ACMA develops consensus standards, specifications, and other guidance to support the growth of the Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) composites
industry. ACMA is a certified Standards Developing Organization (SDO) with the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). During this past year, ACMA
successfully passed a rigorous ANSI audit process allowing ACMA to continue developing standards and specifications as done in the past. ACMA’s
approach to the standards development lifecycle is to facilitate an open, fair, and collaborative process that engages directly and materially interested
stakeholders within the composites industry.
Standards developed by ACMA are proposed at the request of interested parties and formulated by committees depending upon the need of the
composites industry, resources, and collaboration efforts, to meet national and international requirements.
ACMA standards activity increased this past year. Several committees worked to reaffirm the Fiberglass Composites Grating Manual for Pultruded and
Molded Grating and Stair Treads, update the Standard Specification for FRP Composite Utility Poles with new information, and develop a new standard
for the Specification for Fiberglass Composite Crossarms for Distribution Utility Structures. ACMA continues to actively seek subject matter experts to
participate in our standards development activities. Together, we can make composites the sustainable material of preference.
Standards Advocacy
ACMA staff and members are actively involved in and support several standards development initiatives. During the past year, the concentration of those
efforts was focused towards ASCE, ACI, AASHTO, and ASTM. A notable accomplishment was the publication of ASCE/SEI 74-23 – Load Resistance
Factor Design (LRFD) for Pultruded Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) Structures in January 2024. This initiative was supported by the ACMA Pultrusion
Industry Council and culminated a 15-year effort to get this standard published after the initial pre-standard was developed. Now, civil and structural
engineers can design pultruded structural shapes with confidence. With AASHTO, the ACMA Transportation Structures Council led a year-long effort to
update the FRP Pedestrian Bridge Design Specification to LRFD design protocol, update the design of pultruded truss structures, and expand the design
specification to include resin infused deck panels that is currently state of practice. Several key ASTM specifications and test methods related to FRP rebar
and concrete strengthening applications were also published allowing engineers to better understand FRP products and properly specify them in design
specifications.
“My favorite ACMA benefit is community;
because otherwise there are limited
opportunities to get the most relevant
players together in one place for
discussion and exchange.”
LUCAS CICCARELLI, MANAGING DIRECTOR, AFPT GMBH
CIRCLE
At ACMA, we are dedicated to advancing
sustainability within the composites industry.
Our commitment is exemplified through
initiatives such as CIRCLE.
CIRCLE firmly positions composites in the
economy-wide effort to reduce the emission
of climate warming gases, and will increase demand for composite
products in construction, infrastructure, transportation, and other key
markets. CIRCLE fulfills three main objectives:
1. Helps composite manufacturers reduce their climate impacts
and educates their customers about the climate benefits of using
composite products
2. Increases climate literacy the composites community, including end-
users
3. Provides the data and reports needed by the end-users of composite
products
THE SUSTAINABLE
MATERIAL OF PREFERENCE
Composites Sustainability Today :
Preparing Your Business for the Future
In June 2024, 50 stakeholders joined us for the “Composites Sustainability Today:
Preparing Your Business for the Future” event in Denver, Colorado. During this event,
attendees had the chance to collaborate and network with key representatives responsible
for sustainability initiatives at their companies, discover strategies to transform their
company’s sustainability vision and stay ahead in the race toward achieving a sustainable
composites industry, ensuring success while meeting the demands of stakeholders and
customers alike. Attendees also toured Vartega and the National Renewable Energy
Laboratory to see their facilities and recycling processes.
“If an ACMA member or prospective member is
formulating their business plans, including and/ or
focusing on sustainability and circularity, they need
to be an active member of ACMA for the support and
resources necessary to get started and move forward
on this important initiative. With ACMA’s efforts
through the Climate Impacts Project, anyone in the
composites industry or connected to it as a customer
or supplier, should be a participating ACMA member.
It is key to maintaining and growing your business in a
responsible manner.”
ED PILPEL, PRESIDENT, SUSTAINABLE COMPOSITES
ACMA’s LCA+EPD Generator Program
is set to launch in December 2024 and
will assist composite manufacturers
in preparing reliable and cost-effective
Environmental Product Declarations
(EPDs) for their products and
materials. By leveraging this tool,
composite manufacturers will not only
streamline the EPD preparation
process but also gain valuable
insights into the climate impacts of
their products and processes through
life cycle assessment (LCA).
Prepared EPDs enhance marketability,
offer customers transparent
sustainability data, enable optimized
resource utilization, pinpoint areas for
improvement, and facilitate emissions
reduction efforts.
To learn more about how
the program works and to
start the process to prepare
an LCA and EPD for your
composite product, visit
the ACMA website.
EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, AND PUBLISHING
Enhancing Industry
Knowledge through ACMA’s
ELEVATE Webinar Series
Our ELEVATE Webinar Series includes business, technical, and
regulatory presentations designed to enhance industry
knowledge. This past fiscal year we hosted eight webinars, and all
recordings are available for members to view on the ACMA
website at https://acmanet.org/webinars. This year’s webinars
included:
•
The Impact of the Global Plastics Treaty on Markets for
Composites and Other Durable Polymer Products
•
Federal Incentives for Composites Manufacturers and Their
Customers
•
An Introduction to Mechanical Testing for Composites
•
5 Ways to Produce Complex Geometries for Composites
•
The Footprint, Handprint, and Processing Increases of Hybrid
Graphene Materials
•
The Role of Flame Retardant Additives [hosted by CAMX]
•
Hot Topics in Washington DC
•
Revolutionizing Sustainability: Industrial Hemp Fibers
and the Future
“My favorite ACMA benefit is the composite training program
because it allows me to train and educate our engineers
on latest market uses and material trends in the industry.
This gives us an edge as we integrate our additives into the
marketplace because we are able to align with our customers
early because we understand their manufacturing process and
can work with them to find the best integration method which
will increase efficiency and unlock multifunctional material
properties within the composite structure.”
HALEY MARIE KEITH, CO-FOUNDER & CEO,
MITO MATERIAL SOLUTIONS
Certified Composites Technician
Program – THE INDUSTRY’S GOLD STANDARD!
ACMA’s Certified Composites Technician (CCT) Program is the industry’s gold
standard training, continuing to certify employees, companies, schools, and agencies.
This year, 242 candidates have enrolled in the various CCT specialty programs,
including nine individuals who completed the CCT Instructor Course during a two-
day, intensive program this spring.
Additionally, to support ACMA’s workforce development efforts and strategic goals of
the CCT program, we commissioned a survey that revealed 89 percent of companies
who are not experiencing labor shortages are prioritizing safety training for their
employees. The survey also highlighted other key strategies that companies with
longer tenured technicians are utilizing, including:
•
Offering in-house training (85%)
•
Having a diversified talent pool (79%)
•
Providing flexible scheduling/training (79%)
•
Offering training programs in schools and universities (76%)
•
Offering online courses with a live instructor (77%)
ACMA partnered with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to
develop and deliver two in-person trainings, with reoccurring
trainings scheduled in the future. Each training course
gives 20 USACE engineers the opportunity to learn about
composites during a three-day, in-person setting that
includes both classroom and hands-on learning.
Composites
Manufacturing
Magazine
Composites Manufacturing Magazine
released four editions, with an average
of 12 advertisers and 5,000 print copies
distributed per edition. Additionally, the
quarterly digital edition is available online,
along with subscriptions for updates to the
weekly industry newsletter Industry Digest.
Stay informed and connected by visiting
compositesmanufacturingmagazine.com for
the latest digital copy.
This study revealed
that enrollees over the
past two years hold
the CCT program in
high regard across all
subspecialties. As a
result, close to half
of those surveyed are
very likely to enroll
in a CCT course in
the future, citing the
importance of CCT
helping them expand
their knowledge and
stay competitive in the
workforce.
EVENTS
CAMX 2023
ATLANTA, GA
CAMX, the Composites and Advanced Materials Expo, is co-hosted by ACMA and SAMPE
every year, bringing together the global composites industry. In 2023, nearly 6,000
attendees convened in Atlanta, Georgia to connect and advance all aspects of the world’s
composites and advanced materials communities: R&D, engineering, manufacturing,
service providers and end-users.
5,732
ATTENDEES
525
EXHIBITORS
120
TECHNICAL
AND EDUCATION
SESIONS
62
COUNTRIES
REPRESENTED
CAMX 2023
BY THE
NUMBERS
Thermoplastic Composites Conference
SAN DIEGO, CA
ACMA hosts the Thermoplastic Composites Conference (TCC) every other year, focusing on the
high-performance thermoplastic composites innovations, applications, and technology. In March
2024, 171 attendees joined us in San Diego, California for more than 20 dynamic sessions led
by industry experts. The event addressed crucial topics such as optical metrology for aerospace
materials validation, experimental evaluations of automated fiber placement, and the role of
electrical conductivity in induction welding. These sessions provided valuable insights into
advanced manufacturing techniques, quality control measures, and material innovations shaping
the aerospace industry. Overall, TCC fostered networking opportunities and facilitated discussions
on emerging technologies, sustainability goals, and the future prospects of thermoplastic
composites in aerospace applications.
“CAMX is the highlight of our year in the composites industry,
providing a unique opportunity to connect with new customers, engage
in valuable networking, and stay abreast of the latest industry trends.
This expo allows our team members to contribute to insightful sessions
and learn from industry leaders, fostering knowledge exchange and
keeping us at the forefront of advancements in composites and
advanced materials. CAMX plays a pivotal role in expanding our
customer base and ensuring our team remains well-informed and
competitive in this dynamic field.”
-TONY MARTIN, PRESIDENT, NORTH AMERICAN COMPOSITES
MEMBERSHIP & AWARDS
Membership Matters
This fiscal year we welcomed 29 new members, bringing our total voting member
count to 344 companies. With each new member, ACMA’s voice and ability to
influence the use of composite materials grows. ACMA’s U.S. members are spread
throughout the continental United States, with prominent clusters in Ohio, California,
and Texas.
“For McCLARIN Composites, ACMA represents the critical
platform and network intersection of thought leadership on
market growth, sustainability, enterprise risk management,
government affairs, technology and practice transfer,
workforce development, and supply chain visibility. There
is no function within our company that cannot contribute or
benefit through engagement in ACMA.”
– MICHAEL GROMACKI, MCCLARIN COMPOSITES
MEMBERS BY
ORGANIZATION
TYPE
Manufacturers
49%
Material &
Suppliers
26%
Distributers
5.5%
AfÏliates
19.5%
ACMA’s Membership Awards
ACMA recognizes the remarkable achievements of dedicated members who have made significant
contributions to the composites manufacturing industry. Congratulations to our 2023 award recipients:
•
Lifetime Achievement Award: Mike Gordon | Gordon Plastics
•
Hall of Fame Award: Nancy Dehmlow | Composites One/Synergy 55
•
Hall of Fame Award: John Schweitzer | American Composites Manufacturers Association
•
Academic Pioneer Award: Antonio Nanni | University of Miami
•
Pioneer Award: John Tyson II | Trilion Quality Systems
•
Outstanding Volunteer Award: Dan Gillig | SGL Carbon
•
Chairman’s Award: Trevor Humphrey | Vectorply Corporation
BY THE NUMBERS
FISCAL YEAR 2023 - 2024
At ACMA, our budgetary decisions are
shaped by the collaborative guidance
of our esteemed Board of Directors,
dedicated committees, councils, divisions,
strategic plan priorities, and staff. We
prioritize transparency, keeping our
valued members well-informed about our
budget and financial health. The Board
of Directors and the Finance Committee
exercise meticulous oversight, approving
and reviewing our financial status and
strategy on a monthly basis.
“Vectorply values ACMA because of
their ability to connect and progress
the entire composites industry. From
their regulatory work in Washington
D.C. to the conference and programs
they host, ACMA is consistently
educating decision-makers at all levels
on the unmatched benefits offered by
composite materials. ACMA provides a
voice for the composites industry that
we truly value being a part of.”
TREVOR HUMPHREY, PRESIDENT & CEO, VECTORPLY
CORPORATION
REVENUE
SOURCES
MEMBERSHIP
38%
CONFERENCES
8%
CAMX
46%
ADVERTISING
3%
CCT & EDUCATION
3%
GOVERNMENT RELATIONS 1%
INDUSTRY STATISTICS 1%
OTHER 1%
EXPENSES
G&A - STAFF
63%
CAMX
24%
CONFERENCES
4%
MEMBERSHIP
1%
ADVERTISING &
MARKETING
5%
CCT & EDUCATION 2%
CGI 1%
10
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