FibreLINE celebrates with JEC Innovation Award 2025

Loop Technology’s FibreLINE has won the JEC Innovation Award 2025 in the ‘Aerospace Process’ category. FibreLINE delivers notable gains in the preforming process for manufacturing composite aerostructures like aircraft wings and fuselage sections, delivering end-to-end automation and rapid material deposition rates.

In accepting the accoldade, Loop Technology recognised key partners – such as the National Composites Centre, FANUC, Güdel and Zund – for all their contributions to the development of FibreLINE and the projects where this technology sees use.

Managing Director Alun Reece attended the ceremony at the Palais des Congrès in Paris alongside Marketing Director Samantha Reece and Technical Sales Manager Matt Hardman.

“It’s very flattering and humbling; it’s been quite a journey,” said Reece. “We’re conscious that any development in a company starts as an acorn and aims to be an oak. Not only has it been a collaboration within Loop Technology in the UK, it’s been an international collaboration with our recognised partners.”

Loop Technology’s FibreLINE system has evolved over several years in line with technology updates. The entire system is made up from the company’s suite of end effectors that automate the entire pre-forming stage in composites manufacturing. FibreLINE cuts, sorts and sequences large plies of carbon fibre and other material, before precise picking, forming and placing without damage. The material is inspected to ensure integrity and heat-staked to secure in place, before moving to the next stage of manufacturing.

At the centre are both FibreFORM and FibreROLL, two pick and place end effectors that handle large plies and deposit them on the mould at a rapid rate when compared with other methods such as AFP/ATP and manual lay-up. FibreEYE leverages advanced optical scanning to ensure each ply is placed defect-free.

The JEC Innovation awards identify, promote and reward innovative composite solutions worldwide, engaging 2,100 companies globally over the past 27 years. The awards are split into 11 categories from across industries, including aerospace, automotive, renewable energy, building and maritime. An internal JEC jury selects the finalists, with the winner selected by an external jury comprised of composite industry professionals.