ECOBALLIFE on the Road with OLMAR: Connecting Sustainable Ballistic Innovation with Industry and End‑Users

March 2026 was a busy and impactful month for OLMAR | Autoclaves & Additive Manufacturing, a key ECOBALLIFE partner. During this period, OLMAR strengthened ECOBALLIFE’s visibility at two major European defence and composites events. Through these engagements, OLMAR actively promoted advanced composite manufacturing and ECOBALLIFE’s sustainability‑driven vision. As a result, the project reached both industrial stakeholders and operational end‑users.

Showcasing ECOBALLIFE at JEC World 2026, Paris

Firstly, from 10–12 March 2026, OLMAR exhibited at JEC World 2026 in Paris. Notably, JEC World is the leading global event for the composites industry. For three days, the event brought together the full composite value chain. Meanwhile, exhibitions, conferences, and business meetings focused on advanced materials and processing technologies. At its booth, OLMAR highlighted high‑performance composite processing solutions for demanding applications. In addition, the team showcased autoclaves and ovens supporting fibre‑reinforced composite manufacturing. Furthermore, OLMAR presented ECOBALLIFE’s mission to develop lighter, eco‑designed ballistic protection systems. By doing so, sustainability and performance were discussed together rather than separately. Consequently, ECOBALLIFE was positioned within broader conversations on weight reduction and responsible material design.

From Exhibition Halls to Operational Reality: BACSI 2026, Spain

Shortly afterwards, OLMAR continued its outreach at Ejercicio BACSI 2026 in Spain. The event took place on 18–19 March 2026 at an operational Spanish air base. Importantly, BACSI stands for Base Aérea Conectada, Sostenible e Inteligente. Moreover, the exercise transforms a live air base into a realistic technology testbed. During BACSI, the Spanish Air and Space Force engaged with industry and academia. Together, participants validated emerging technologies under real operational conditions. These technologies included advanced connectivity, cyber defence, and counter‑UAS systems. In parallel, additive manufacturing solutions were demonstrated and assessed. During the exhibition, OLMAR met directly with military end‑users on site. At the same time, the team showcased ECOBALLIFE and its research direction. As a result, ECOBALLIFE was linked directly to real operational challenges and expectations.

OLMAR’s Role within ECOBALLIFE

As a consortium partner, OLMAR contributes extensive expertise in composite processing. Specifically, this expertise supports manufacturing approaches for advanced ballistic components. Within ECOBALLIFE, OLMAR helps manufacture fibre‑reinforced ballistic elements. Additionally, the company supports integration of multi‑material protection systems. Therefore, composite processing becomes a key enabler for eco‑designed ballistic solutions. Equally important, industrial scalability remains a central consideration.

Why These Engagements Matter

Overall, participation in JEC World and BACSI strengthens ECOBALLIFE’s industrial relevance.
At the same time, these events ensure continuous dialogue with defence end‑users. Consequently, ECOBALLIFE research remains grounded in realistic operational scenarios. Meanwhile, sustainability goals stay aligned with performance and protection requirements. Ultimately, these engagements support ECOBALLIFE’s mission across Europe. They help advance next‑generation, eco‑designed ballistic protection for personal and platform applications.

🌱 ECOBALLIFE thanks OLMAR for actively promoting the project and advancing sustainable, high‑performance protection systems.