Composites at the Heart of Challenges: focus on defense

Composites, drivers of performance and durability – Jeremy Guivarc'h guest on BFM Business

Composite materials now play a central role in transforming industrial sectors. Their lightness, strength and adaptability open new prospects for aerospace, mobility and defense.
Guest of Raphaëlle Duchemin on the "Composites at the heart of the issues" program on BFM Business, Jeremy Guivarc'h, EVP R&D at Clayens, discussed these trends and the company's contribution to this major transition.

Materials serving industrial performance

Composites now increasingly replace metal in many applications. Lighter and equally strong, they deliver better mechanical performance while enabling high production rates, an essential advantage in sectors where responsiveness has become strategic, such as defense.

"The idea is to have high-performance, lightweight alternatives that can above all meet very demanding production rates," explains Jeremy Guivarc'h.

This adaptability is particularly valuable in a context where customer demand is evolving rapidly, especially in defense, which has entered a "war economy" logic.
In response to these needs, Clayens supports its customers – equipment manufacturers, OEMs, or integrators – to identify the right material, the right process, and the most competitive solution for each application.

Removing barriers to materials innovation

While the benefits of composites are well established, large-scale adoption still faces certain industrial habits.
Clayens teams therefore work hand in hand with customers to facilitate integration of these new materials, bringing technical expertise and process mastery.

"We face deeply rooted habits among some OEMs, accustomed to traditional materials. Our role is to support them through this transition, proving the reliability and competitiveness of composite solutions."

Concrete applications in defense and beyond

In defense, composites are now used in many applications: hoods, infantry parts, land vehicle or aircraft systems, air intakes, or under-hood parts.
Across these uses, these materials enable weight savings and added functionality, while meeting robustness and longevity requirements in demanding environments.

This diversification extends well beyond defense: aerospace, mobility, energy, industry… composites are now ubiquitous in value chains where performance and sustainability go hand in hand.

Une approche responsable et durable

Materials transformation comes with growing sustainability requirements.
Clayens is committed to offering eco-designed, recyclable solutions, while making its production as virtuous as possible, whatever the sector.

"At our scale as an industrial player, we ensure our production is responsible. The defense sector is no exception," adds Jeremy Guivarc'h.

This commitment reflects the group's will to integrate environmental issues from the design stage, supporting its customers toward a cleaner, more resilient industry.

Heading to JEC World 2026

Continuing this momentum, Clayens will be at JEC World 2026, from March 10 to 12 (stand 6N06).
A global reference for the sector, this event brings together leading composites players around the latest innovations.

It will be an opportunity for Clayens to present its technological advances, share lessons learned, and reaffirm its role as a European leader in polymer and metal transformation, serving a more sustainable, high-performance industry.