On 17 August, 2023, International Symposium on Green Composites in Aerospace Applications was successfully held at the University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC). The conference is hosted by UNNC and Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology & Engineering, CAS (NIMTE); and co-hosted by Yangtze River Delta Carbon Fiber & Composite Innovation Centre (CCIC). Attendees included experts and scholars from the leading research institutes, universities and industries, including Chinese Aeronautical Establishment (CAE), Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, Ltd. (COMAC), Airbus (Beijing) Engineering Center Co., Ltd., Tongji University, Harbin Institute of Technology, Nanjing Tech University etc.

Professor Xiaosu Yi, UNNC Li Dak Sum Chair Professor in Advanced Materials and Composites and Executive Director of Yangtze River Delta Carbon Fiber & Composite Innovation Centre (CCIC) hosted the opening ceremony. Professor Tao Wu, Vice Provost for China Beacons Institute, Dean of Faculty of Science and Engineering, delivered a speech welcoming attendees from home and abroad, and introduced the achievements UNNC has obtained in introducing high-level talents, innovation in the higher education and research and knowledge exchange. He said that the research on green aviation materials is going to revolutionise the future aviation industry, while the wide cooperation between UNNC and Aviation Industry Corporation of China, Ltd. (AVIC), Boeing, and Airbus will also prompt the sustainable development of aviation.

Professor Giampaolo Buticchi, UNNC Interim Vice Provost for Research and Knowledge Exchange, also an expert in Electrical Engineering emphasised in the speech that the challenges that the aviation industry faced are tough, so we need global collaboration. This international symposium is a model of international exchange and collaboration. He hoped to see sustainable aviation industry by enhancing the collaboration between local and global communities.

Xiaofei Li, Director of International Cooperation Office in Chinese Aeronautical Establishment (CAE), and Dr Wen Bai gave a brief introduction of the Sino-European civic aviation cooperation, building an innovation platform, and promoting international academic exchanges. Dr Bai reviewed the Sino-European collaborative projects from 2005 and the seven strategic directions for achieving European Commission’s Towards Climate-Neutral Aviation goal.

The conference presentation was presided by Dr Dongsheng Li from COMAC and Professor Xiaoqing Li from NIMTE, CAS. Professor Xiaosu Yi shared a series of research outcomes and the experience of building bilateral collaboration funded by Chinese and European governments, and gave some suggestions about the Sino-European collaboration under the topic of environmental protection.

Then, Professor Chris Rudd, the Deputy Vice Chancellor and Head of Singapore Campus for James Cook University, introduced current trends within the EU and European Economic area that might influence future demands and technical direction for production and consumption of polymer composite materials. Christos Spitas, Professor of Aerospace Engineering at the UNNC discussed future aircraft architectures in the wider transportation system context. Dr Zhongsen Zhang from Tongji University introduced the achievements of 3D printed continuous plant fibre reinforced thermoplastic composites for high mechanical performances. Guijun Xian, Professor in Harbin Institute of Technology introduced investigation of the property enhancement of flax fibre reinforced polymer composites. Professor Xiaoqing Liu from NIMTE also introduced the high performance and flame retardant epoxy derived from renewable resources. Dr Xiaoling Liu, Associate Professor in advanced materials of the UNNC focused on green multifunctional composites from reclaimed carbon fibres and introduce some trials of turning the reclaimed fibres to multi-functional intermediate materials. Delegates of industry, Dr Bo Ning and Dr Guocai Li from Shanghai Aircraft Manufacturing Co., Ltd (CAMC) introduced demands of green composites in commercial aircraft.

After the keynote speeches, the attendees had an extensive discussion on green composites and their innovative applications in the field of aviation, as well as Sino-European cooperation research in this field. As Professor Xiaosu Yi said, the development of green aviation is a long way to go, we should extend our collaboration with partners and further our research on green composite innovation and application demonstration in future green aviation.