SPE ACCE announces call for papers, sponsors and exhibitors for September 2026 event

The SPE Automotive Composites Conference & Expo (ACCE) team is announcing its Call for Papers, Sponsors & Exhibitors for the 26th annual event September 9 - 10, 2026 at the Vibe Credit Union Showplace in Novi, Michigan. “Composites: Advancing Mobility” is the theme for the 2026 event.

Papers and presentations at the event will highlight key industry advancements in categories including; Lightweighting, Performance and Design Improvements, Sustainable Solutions and more. New Technologies in process and targeted for the future will also be featured.

This year’s ACCE will once again feature two paths for contributions to the technical program, Peer Reviewed Papers with a Technical Presentation and a Technical Presentation only. Those who submit both a Paper and a Technical Presentation on time, will be eligible for a “Best Paper Award” that will be presented at the conference. Abstracts are due April 24, 2026 and Technical Content is due June 26, 2026. The official portal for Abstract Submissions will be available in February. For more info regarding the technical program, please contact Teri Chouinard at nttgrpgmlcm. Additional Info on Presenting/Sponsoring/Exhibiting and more is available here.

“The 2025 ACCE highlighted how composites are accelerating innovation across electric, autonomous, and sustainable transportation,” said Dr. Mike Siwajek, vice president of Research and Development at CSP and ACCE 2026 co-chair. “In 2026, we’re building on that momentum and honing in on advancing mobility — showcasing how composite materials enable the next leap forward in performance, efficiency, and design. As the mobility landscape evolves, composites continue to be the driving force behind the solutions that will shape the future of transportation.”

“As we focus on advancing mobility, composites continue to unlock new possibilities for lighter, safer, and more energy-efficient transportation,” said Dr. Hendrik Mainka, principal program lead and head of Volkswagen Group Innovation Hub Knoxville and ACCE 2026 co-chair.

“Across global mobility programs, we see composite development accelerating in areas such as thermal management, structural integration, and sustainable material systems,” said Sara Simon, Global Sector Manager for Composites & Thermosets at Netzsche and ACCE 2026 Technical Program co-Chair. “ACCE 2026 will highlight where the industry is truly investing and how these projects are shaping the future landscape of mobility.”

“As we sharpen our focus on advancing mobility in 2026, composites remain central to solving the technical demands of next-generation transportation,” said Dr. David Jack, professor of Mechanical Engineering at Baylor University and ACCE 2026 Technical Program co-chair.

The 2026 ACCE technical program will include technical presentations on current and future industry advances. Before acceptance for a podium presentation, authors must submit either an archival scientific paper conforming to the conference guidelines or a technical presentation ready for archival. The archival papers or presentations are due June 26, 2026. Authors who submit scientific papers will be considered for the conference’s Best Paper Awards, which are presented during the event’s opening ceremony and announced through multiple outlets within the SPE. A template for papers can be downloaded from the SPE ACCE website. Enquiries about submitting abstracts, scientific papers, and technical presentations can be sent to nttgrpgmlcm.

Photo: an expert panel discussion at the 2025 event (©SPE)

SPE Automotive