Fueled by emerging markets and a growing demand for lightweight-yet-durable materials, the composites industry is a rising economic force. Global demand for composite-based products is growing at an annual clip of nearly 8%. And as this trend continues, the industry is expected to reach $160 billion by 2027.

While this creates a wealth of opportunities for manufacturers across the board, it also exposes product development gaps, compartmentalization and inefficiencies. Composites are a different animal, and traditional tools and processes often leave manufacturers wanting more. Consequently, companies both serving and entering the space are aggressively seeking robust composite-friendly product development technologies to become more streamlined, efficient and integrated across the extended enterprise.

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