#197 Dual‑use, drones, and composites: Piotr Placha on why the nuances matter

In a follow‑up to Composites Lounge’s short
conversation with Jacek Kasz—who previewed
KOMPOZYT-EXPO 2026 in Kraków alongside a
parallel DRONE SECURITY EXPO (DSE)
2026—Piotr Placha, Export Support Department
expert at the Polish Investment and Trade Agency
(PAIH), offers a sober, business‑focused view on
dual‑use technologies and why they are increasingly central to
European industry.

His perspective: dual‑use is not a niche—it’s a reality shaping
markets and regulations.

What is dual‑use?

Placha defines it simply: any technology serving both civilian
and defense purposes. Think industrial drones—monitoring crops
one day, securing borders the next. Or counter‑drone systems,
where composites enable lightweight, high‑strength airframes for
BVLOS missions. Even everyday products—ready‑to‑eat meals,
cut‑resistant uniforms—can cross into dual‑use territory.

Why is this delicate?

Dual‑use spans regulated and non‑regulated categories. Export
controls apply to some cybersecurity tools or defense‑grade
equipment, but many items remain commercially open. For SMEs, the
nuance lies in documentation, compliance, and understanding where
civilian ends and defense begins.

The NATO shift:

Geopolitical changes have opened doors for small and medium
enterprises. NATO now actively seeks innovative solutions from
startups and SMEs, maintaining one of the largest databases of
suppliers. For composites players, this means opportunity—if you
can prove performance and interoperability.

Why composites matter here:

Lightweight structures, advanced resins, and additive
manufacturing are critical for drones, trailers, and protective
gear. The intersection of materials engineering and security tech
will be front and center at Kraków’s October 2026 events:
KOMPOZYT‑EXPO (7–8 Oct 2026) – Poland’s flagship composites
fair.
Drone Security EXPO (7–8 Oct 2026) – BVLOS demos, counter‑UAS
simulations, and expert panels.

And before Kraków, the global stage:

Poland debuts its first national Pavilion at JEC World 2026,
Paris, 10–12 March. Meet the Polish ecosystem at Hall 5, Booth
5G142. If you’re working at the intersection of composites, UAS,
and dual‑use, this is your chance to connect.

***

Already covered in this series
Anna Boczkowska
Mirko Filler
Dr. Andreas Freund
Piotr Placha

still to be released
Tomasz Salomon
Andrzej Czulak

and many more from the Fall/Winter 2025/2026 


#Composites360OnTour

YouTube Episode: https://youtu.be/VufqmdhldIA