Future in Steel: how the Composite Revolution makes Europe stronger

Mees Wolters and Tim Kapteijn about composite joints as a new design philosophy for steel structures everywhere

In previous episodes of Future in Steel, we explored how composite joints have the potential to fundamentally change offshore wind by addressing one of the industry’s biggest constraints: fatigue in welded steel connections. But what happens when this technology moves beyond offshore wind? As a new design philosophy for steel structures everywhere? Today, we talk to experts who represent both sides of that transition: Mees Wolters, CTO of Tree Composites (who brings the technology to life at the deepest engineering level) and Tree Composites Business Developer Tim Kapteijn (who connects that technology to real-world applications and markets). Hear them explore how the composite revolution could reshape not only offshore energy, but also bridges, infrastructure, and the future of steel itself.

Chris Skinner of Owens Corning about why strengthening the material ecosystem around composite is an important step forward

Welcome to a new episode of Future in Steel, the podcast series exploring the technologies shaping the next generation of industrial structures. Today with a very special guest: Chris Skinner, Vice President of Strategic Marketing and R&D for Owens Corning’s Composites business. Where Owens Corning is the world’s leading innovator in glass fibre reinforcements and composite materials. With decades of experience in developing high-performance materials for industries ranging from construction and infrastructure to renewable energy. At the latest JEC World in Paris, Owens Corning and Tree Composites signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore how their expertise can be combined to optimise glass solutions for large-scale composite joints. Hear from Chris and Maxim Segeren of Tree Composites what that means and why strengthening the material ecosystem around composite is an important step towards large-scale deployment of this technology.

Marc Vanderschueren, Head of Business Development at OCAS NV about steel, composites and large-scale testing

Europe’s ambition to remain a global industrial powerhouse increasingly depends on its ability to rethink materials, structures, and design philosophies. In offshore wind especially, fatigue has long been the invisible limiter — driving heavier structures, higher costs, and conservative engineering choices. In this episode of Future in Steel, we explore how that paradigm is changing. Hear out guest Marc Vanderschueren, Head of Business Development at OCAS NV, one of Europe’s leading steel and materials research institutes, talk to Maxim Segeren, CEO of Tree Composites and the regular host of Future in Steel and Marko Pavlovic,  Associate professor at TU Delft, co-founder of Tree Composites. Together, they examen the intersection of steel, composites, and large-scale testing. From full-scale fatigue testing to breakthrough composite joints that outperform welded connections by orders of magnitude. This conversation goes deep into why OCAS exists, how testing capabilities have evolved over the past two decades, and why composite joints may represent a fundamental leap forward for offshore wind, floating structures, and beyond.

Marko Pavlovic: why bonded composite connections represent a true breakthrough

Europe’s ambition to remain an industrial and economic powerhouse depends on its ability to rethink not only energy systems, but also the fundamental technologies behind them. Offshore wind is a prime example — and at the heart of it lies a centuries-old bottleneck: welded steel connections.  In this episode of Future in Steel, we speak to Marko Pavlovic,  Associate professor at TU Delft, co-founder of Tree Composites, and inventor of a radically new way to connect steel structures. Inspired by nature and validated through full-scale testing, his composite steel joints replace complex welds with bonded composite connections that deliver unprecedented fatigue resistance, lower weight, and faster production.  Hear how Marko explains how this technology works, why it represents a true breakthrough in connection technology, and how it compares to state-of-the-art welding. Going deep into engineering fundamentals and looking ahead to a future where offshore wind structures are lighter, stronger, and built in Europe again. In an in depth discussion with Future in Steel host Maxim Segeren, CEO of Tree Composites.

Future in Steel: how the Composite Revolution makes Europe stronger

Welcome to Future in Steel — a podcast series about the Composite Revolution: an industrial transformation that makes Europe stronger. Because wherever steel joints are involved, the Composite Revolution means higher quality, up to four times longer service life, lower production costs, lower CO₂ emissions, reduced raw-material use, and more jobs in Europe instead of elsewhere in the world. In Future in Steel, you’ll hear what’s possible — from the people who truly know, working in the companies ready to make the difference. Brought together by Tree Composites, a TU Delft spin-off and winner of the 2025 Chamber of Commerce Innovation Award. In this episode: back to the beginning. What exactly is the Composite Revolution? And why does joining a tender for new offshore wind farms suddenly become attractive again under this umbrella? Hear it from Tree Composites CEO Maxim Segeren and CFO Jeroen Rondeel.