SPE® ACCE 2020

“Driving Innovative Transportation,” is the theme for the 20^th anniversary event emphasizing polymer composites as the leading technology driving innovation in automotive electrification, mobility and autonomy.  The ACCE features technical sessions, panel discussions, keynotes, and exhibits highlighting advances in materials, processes, and equipment for both thermoset and thermoplastic composites in a wide variety of transportation applications.  Networking breakfasts, lunches, and receptions enhance the value of the event that attracts over 900 attendees worldwide. The Automotive and Composites Divisions of the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE®) jointly produce the ACCE to educate the industry about the benefits of composites in transportation applications.

The 2020 ACCE will be co-chaired by 2018 and 2019 ACCE co-chair Dr. Alper Kiziltas, technical expert, Sustainability and Emerging Materials, Ford Motor Company, SPE Automotive Div. vice-chair & education committee chair and Dr. Xiaosong Huang, lab group manager of Polymer Composite Systems in GM Global Research & Development, General Motors Company. “The 2020 ACCE will be the best one ever celebrating 20 years of educating the industry about the design versatility, structural strength and lightweighting performance benefits of composite material technologies for advancing innovative automotive applications,” said Kiziltas.   “I am very proud to co-chair ACCE because our company benefits by learning about the new technologies presented and incorporating them into our vehicles to reduce mass, enhance styling and improve performance,” said Huang.

The mission of SPE is to promote scientific and engineering knowledge relating to plastics worldwide and to educate industry, academia, and the public about these advances. SPE’s Automotive Division is active in educating, promoting, recognizing, and communicating technical accomplishments in all phases of plastics and plastic-based composite developments in the global transportation industry. The SPE Composites Division is dedicated to the growth of composites in multiple industries.  Topic areas for both divisions include applications, materials, processing, equipment, tooling, design, and development.