Conference
& Program
The JEC Composites Talks Morocco will offer a full day of discussions, insights, and networking centered around the evolving composites landscape in the country.
The program is currently under development and will bring together key decision-makers, government representatives, industry experts, and innovative startups to exchange ideas and showcase opportunities for composites across strategic sectors.
The conference content will focus on several key themes:
- Growth prospects for composites with a strong focus on aeronautics, as well as transportation and infrastructure sectors.
- Morocco’s attractiveness as an industrial investment destination, including its human resources , R&D capabilities and logistics infrastructure.
- Success stories of companies established in Morocco and active in the composites industry.
The day will conclude with an exclusive networking reception, fostering informal exchanges between participants.
Speakers
Claude Despierres
Claude Despierres
Vice president, sustainibility and business developement EAP
Hexcel
Claude Despierres has served as Vice President, Sustainability & Business Development EAP at Hexcel since 2025. Previously, she served for many years as Vice President, Sales & Marketing for Hexcel’s Industrial Business globally, with a focus on the energy generation and automotive markets. With more than 30 years of experience in advanced composites, she has built a career at the intersection of technology, innovation, and business growth.
In her current role, she drives efforts to advance Hexcel’s sustainability programs, working closely with customers and partners to address the evolving environmental and regulatory challenges of aerospace, automotive and defense markets. In parallel, she leads initiatives that connect market growth and strategic partnerships to create new opportunities across key industries and regions.
Thierry Merlot
Thierry Merlot
Member of the board directors
JEC Group
Thierry Merlot is a highly experienced executive in the advanced composites industry, with more than 40 years in aerospace and carbon-fibre materials.
After starting his career at Dassault Aviation, he joined the business that later became part of Hexcel, where he held several senior leadership positions, including President, Aerospace EMEA/AP.
During his career at Hexcel, he played a key role in the development and industrialization of carbon-fibre composites for major aerospace programmes, particularly the Airbus A380 and A350 XWB, supporting the transition of composites into large-scale primary aircraft structures. Thierry Merlot is a member of the Board of Directors of JEC Group, the governing and advisory group of the JEC organization.
Philippe Estin
Philippe Estin
Managing director
Estin & Co strategy consulting
Estin & Co is an international strategy consulting firm founded in 1997. It is based in Paris, London, Zurich, New York and Shanghai.
The firm specialises in defining and implementing long-term growth and value-creation strategies. Its clients are boards of directors, CEOs and senior executives of European, North American and Asian corporations, as well as private equity executives.
Estin & Co has been active in the composite materials industry for over 25 years. It has collaborated with JEC for more than 20 years.
Guy Larnac
Guy Larnac
Executive President
SAMPE Global
With over 35 years of experience in advanced materials and aerospace technologies, he started his career at Aerospatiale, working on ceramic composites for the Hermes space shuttle program and hypersonic propulsion systems. He later led the development of electron beam curing technologies for composite materials used in civil and defense propulsion applications.
At EADS, he headed the Materials and Technologies Laboratory, leading R&D activities in composite materials, thermal protection systems, and surface engineering. From 2012 to 2024, he coordinated Research & Technology activities in materials, structures, and industrialization across Airbus Defence and Space and ArianeGroup, where he also defined technology roadmaps and cooperation strategies. He is recognized as an Executive Expert in industrialization.
Highly engaged in the global composites community, he served as Vice President of SAMPE Europe from 2020 to 2024, before being elected SAMPE Global Executive Vice President for 2025-2026. In 2026, he became SAMPE Global Executive President, continuing to promote innovation, industrial excellence, and international collaboration across the advanced materials and composites industry.
Nawal Chraibi
Nawal Chraibi
Executive director
Industry Liaison Program (ILP)
Nawal Chraibi leads UM6P’s Industry Liaison Program (ILP) and Institute for Advanced Studies (IAS). She fosters stronger connections between research, innovation, and industry by facilitating companies’ access to UM6P’s expertise, talent, and advanced technological platforms.
Juan Antonio Vidal
Juan Antonio Vidal
Plant Manager
InCom Composites Morocco, a subsidiary of InCom Group
Juan Antonio Vidal is Plant Manager of InCom Composites Morocco, based in Tangier and a subsidiary of the Spanish multinational InCom Group. Since 2020, he has led the establishment and development of the Group’s industrial operations in Morocco, focusing on the preparation of semi-finished material kits for manufacturing wind energy components, with plans to expand into the development and manufacture of composites for the railway sector. His experience encompasses commissioning and expanding industrial facilities, training and managing local teams, and overseeing operations serving international clients. In his presentation, he will share a practical perspective on the opportunities and challenges Morocco presents for the composites industry.
Housni Faek
Housni Faek
President
Airbus Atlantic Maroc Composites / Airbus Atlantic Maroc Aero
A seasoned executive with over 23 years of experience in the aerospace industry - all within the Airbus Group - Housni FAEK joined the sector in 2001 as Production Manager at Maroc Aviation (Sogerma Group, an Airbus subsidiary).
He successfully led the site’s strategic diversification into aerospace component manufacturing, subsequently advancing through major leadership roles, including Program Director, Industrial Director of Stelia Morocco, and Managing Director of Airbus Atlantic Maroc Composites. Across his career at Airbus, Housni has successfully orchestrated major industrial transfers from France and Canada to Morocco. His expertise spans metallic aerostructure assembly, aerospace wiring, and composite materials. Among his key achievements, he overseen the industrialization and production of wiring harnesses for Tiger and NH90 helicopters, structural components for the A321 and A330, single-source cockpit linings for the A320 family, and equipment for the ATR 600. Since July 2026, Housni serves as CEO of Airbus Atlantic Maroc Aero alongside his role as Managing Director of Airbus Atlantic Maroc Composites.
Deeply invested in the development of Morocco's aerospace ecosystem, Housni has been a Board Member of GIMAS (Moroccan Aerospace Industries Association) since March 2022, actively contributing to the industry's strategic roadmap.
Mohamed Bellatig
Hamid Benbrahim El Andaloussi
Pr. Mohamed Bouhrara
Flavio de Oliveira
Flavio de Oliveira
Corporate Development Director EMEA
Techstorm Advanced Material
Corporate Development Director (EMEA) in Overseas Sales & Marketing Department of Techstorm Advanced Materials. Based in Hamburg, Germany, responsible for the regional strategy, sales & business development of wind energy related products, general composites, and electrical applications. He has more than 20 years of experience leading sourcing, supply chain and sales areas in multinational wind energy and electronics companies.
Program Overview
Program – WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 25TH 2026
09:3010:00
Registration
Registration and welcome
10:0012:30
Keynote / Plenary
Event introduction and conference
Mr. Thierry Merlot, Board Member, JEC
Mr. Eric Pierrejean, President, JEC
First session: The Aerospace Industry in Morocco
Opening by Mr Mohammed Bellatig, President, GIMAS (Moroccan Aerospace Industries Group).
Presentations of companies established in Morocco:
Mr. Housni Faek, Managing Director, AIRBUS ATLANTIC Maroc Composites
Ms. Claude Despierres, Vice President of Sustainability & Growth Strategy, HEXCEL.
Aerospace closing speech by Mr. Hamid Benbrahim El-Andaloussi, President, MIDPARC.
12:3014:00
Break
Networking lunch cocktail
14:0016:30
Conference Session
Conference
Second session: Development of composites application sectors in Morocco
Strategic study presentation by Mr Philippe Estin, Managing Director Estin & Co
Presentations of companies established in Morocco:
Mr Juan Antonio Vidal Francés, Plant Director, INCOM Composites Morocco,
Mr Flavio de Oliveira, Corporate Development Director EMEA, TECHSTORM Advanced Material
Third Session : Workforce development & engineering community:
University & Industry partnerships opportunities:
Mrs Nawal Chraibi, Industry Liaison Program (ILP) Director at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P)
Pr. Mohamed Bouhrara, UM6P - ACME (Africa Center of Manufacturing Excellence)
Mr. Guy Larnac, Global President of SAMPE (Society for the Advancement of Material & Process Engineering).
Keynote session : Promoting and developing investment and export of Morocco
The AMDIE (Moroccan Agency for Investment and Export Development) under the "Morocco Now" initiative will present how the government, together with local institutions and organizations, facilitates and supports foreign industrial investment in Morocco.
16:3017:00
Closing
Closing remarks
17:0018:00
Break
Refreshments & Networking time
An exclusive opportunity to connect with Indian industry leaders, international guests, and technology providers in a relaxed atmosphere.
The AVK Composites
Market Report
Explore AVK Composites Market Report for crucial industry insights, trends, and growth strategies. Gain a strategic edge in this dynamic field.
Keynote
Speeches
Get inspired by our keynote speakers, industry leaders, innovators, and influencers who've shaped the composites landscape.
Workshop Sessions
run by Suppliers
Engage in interactive workshops with event suppliers to explore new technologies and discuss with experts.
JEC Startups’
Innovation Session
Witness the latest innovations in the composites industry through the JEC Startups’ Innovation Session, featuring 5 innovative startups.
The AVK Awards
Ceremony
Celebrate innovation at the AVK Awards Ceremony, honoring composites industry visionaries and pioneers. Recognize outstanding contributions.
NETWORKING
PARTY
All participants with an access pass will be invited to the networking party
on October 22nd, 2024, from 7:30 PM to 10 PM.
Please note that all the details of these programs will be regularly updated on our website. We encourage you to visit our website frequently to stay informed about the latest program updates.
In the meantime, we invite you to explore the programs from our previous edition in 2023, which can be found below. While these programs serve as a reference, please keep in mind that future editions will offer fresh and exciting content, tailored to meet the evolving needs of the composites industry.