National Composites Week

Tags:: Environment Technology
Where:: United States
Date change rule:: Week starting with the last Monday of August
Holiday emoji:: ⚙️

National Composites Week recognizes the innovative materials that shape our modern world, occurring annually during the last week of August. From aerospace to infrastructure, composites are essential for creating stronger, lighter, and more sustainable products. Join us in exploring the science, applications, and future of these transformative materials.

Deals
Platforms
Social
Hero
History
Timeline
Businesses
FAQs
Importance
Celebrate

Expected National Composites Week Deals

As a Recognition holiday focused on industry, National Composites Week typically sees less consumer-facing deals and more industry-specific events. Expect webinars, virtual conferences, and technical presentations from organizations like ACMA (American Composites Manufacturers Association) and SAMPE (Society for the Advancement of Material and Process Engineering). Major manufacturers such as Hexcel, Toray Composite Materials America, and Solvay often host online showcases of new products and applications. Educational institutions may offer discounted workshops or open-house events. We will update this page with confirmed live events and programs as August approaches.

Platform Guide for National Composites Week

Tag National Today (linkedin.com/company/nationaltoday) and use #NationalCompositesWeek. Share insights on industry trends or highlight innovative composite applications.

X/Twitter

Mention @NatlToday and use #NationalCompositesWeek. Post about the latest breakthroughs in material science or showcase composite products.

YouTube

Subscribe to @NationalToday for holiday video content. Create short videos demonstrating the strength or versatility of composite materials.

National Composites Week Hero

Leo Baekeland

Leo Baekeland was a Belgian-American chemist who invented Bakelite in 1907, the first commercially successful synthetic plastic. This thermosetting phenol formaldehyde resin is considered one of the earliest true composite materials, paving the way for modern composites. His work revolutionized manufacturing and material science, demonstrating the potential of combining different substances to create new materials with superior properties.

History of National Composites Week

When you think of composites, picture throwing one two or more seemingly basic clothing items together to create a fabulously uniform ensemble. A composite material created from two or more materials with different properties, typically fiber, and resin, is combined to act in concert. Fiber-reinforced composites produce some of the strongest, most versatile, most technologically advanced parts ever developed and offer manufacturers, designers, and engineers a new world of design possibilities.

Wattle and daub is one of the oldest methods of making composite material and dates back more than 6,000 years. Concrete is also a composite material used more than any other synthetic material in the world. As of 2006, about 7.5 billion cubic meters of concrete are manufactured each year — more than one cubic meter for every person on Earth. Composite materials can be traced back to earlier times, such as straw and mud for brick-making for Egyptian tombs, plywood by the Ancient Mesopotamians, and cartonnage with layers of linen or papyrus for death masks in Egypt. The first artificial fiber reinforced plastic was a combination of fiberglass and bakelite, made in 1935 by the Owens Corning Company.

The uses and benefits of composite materials are seemingly endless — from the development of state-of-the-art prosthetics to supporting renewable energy through better wind turbine design; and even enabling the development of fuel-efficient aircraft, drones, air taxis, and heightened space exploration. It is definitely no surprise why there is an entire week dedicated to this highly beneficial resource. A&P Technology, Inc. founded National Composites Week in 2019 to applaud the industry’s innovation, economic contributions, and proliferation. It is observed in the last week of August annually.

National Composites Week timeline

3400 B.C.

Plywood Makes an Appearance

Ancient Mesopotamians glued wood strips at different angles to create plywood.

1935 — 1936

Glass Fiber and Polyester Resins

Owens Corning Company introduces the first glass fiber and launches the fiber-reinforced polymer (F.R.P.) industry, and in 1936, unsaturated polyester resins are patented.

1953

Composite Automobile

A fully composite body automobile is prototyped and tested leading to the development of the 1953 Corvette.

1963

Carbon Fiber Production

The first carbon fiber is patented and several years later, becomes commercially available.

How Businesses Can Celebrate National Composites Week

Local businesses can highlight the role of composite materials in their operations or products during National Composites Week. Manufacturing companies can host open houses or virtual tours to showcase their use of advanced materials. Retailers selling products with composite components (e.g., sporting goods, automotive parts) can create educational displays. Engineering firms can share insights on how composites improve design and performance, fostering appreciation for these innovative materials.

National Composites Week FAQs

When is National Composites Week?

National Composites Week 2026 runs from Monday, August 24 through Friday, August 28, celebrating the innovative materials that enhance our daily lives.

What are composite materials used for?

Composite materials are incredibly versatile, used in everything from aerospace and automotive parts to wind turbine blades and sporting goods. Their strength-to-weight ratio and durability make them ideal for high-performance applications.

How large is the global composites market?

The global composites market was valued at approximately $90 billion in 2025 and is projected to continue growing significantly. This expansion is driven by increasing demand for lightweight and high-strength materials across various industries.

What are the main types of composite materials?

The main types of composites are typically classified by their matrix material and reinforcement. Common categories include polymer matrix composites (PMC), metal matrix composites (MMC), and ceramic matrix composites (CMC), reinforced with fibers like carbon, glass, or aramid.

National Composites Week Activities

Create something new and fun
The whole point of the week is to highlight the relevance of reproducing something new out of already existing materials. National Composites Week is the best time to put your creative thinking cap on and carry out a STEM or STEAM project with the basic things around you. Embark on a new solo mission, or involve friends and family in this new pet project.
Share your new creation or updates about the composite industry
Whether you’re a STEM scientist or an engineer, builder, designer, or researcher, you can share the latest composite innovation. This helps spread the word and relevance of the industry. You can share this information via social media using the hashtag #NationalCompositesWeek.
Visit the National Composites Week website
If you are a composite-based facility, share the week with us and the world. Facilities are encouraged to download materials about how to host an event that attracts tours from local students and businesses, and how to work with local news media on building awareness for the composites industry.

5 Facts About Fiberglass Reinforced Polymer (F.R.P.) You Did Not Know

It is super strong
F.R.P. is one of the strongest and most durable materials in the world.
It is light but mighty
F.R.P. weighs up to 75% less than steel but is equally strong, and in certain conditions, even stronger.
It is corrosion resistant
Unlike steel, it won’t rust when it’s exposed to harsh weather and chemicals.
It is impact resistant
F.R.P. keeps its shape through heavy handling and usage and can be formed into unlimited profiles or shapes according to needs.
It is off-radar
F.R.P. is transparent to radio, radar, and antenna transmissions (EMI/RFI).

Why We Love National Composites Week

It highlights the relevance of reproduction
The entire concept of composite materials and creation is grounded in the combination of materials made of different particles to produce something new. This seemingly simple act of reproduction has led to several technological advancements, which shows us there is power in utilizing materials we currently have to make better, more advanced products.
Composites are versatile and multipurpose
Composites entertain, save lives, protect the environment, and create a more technologically advanced world. They are used to create recreational activity material used for hockey, biking, golf, etc. They are also used for prosthetics, vehicle armor, seismic reinforcement, turbine design, and more advanced aerospace engineering.
The future of composites only gets brighter
Today, composites research attracts grants from governments, manufacturers, and universities, which allow innovation to accelerate. Specialized companies, such as aerospace composite companies, will find a place in the industry.