History

History Overview

The Asian-Australasian Association for Composite Materials (AACM) was established to promote the advancement, dissemination, and exchange of knowledge in composite materials science and engineering across the Asian-Australasian region and beyond.

AACM originated from the growing need for a dedicated regional association connecting composite materials communities across Asia and Australasia. Its early constitution and organizational discussions emphasized the free exchange of information, the establishment of a regional forum for composite materials research, and the promotion of cooperation among scientific and engineering bodies with similar objectives.

The first Asian-Australasian Conference on Composite Materials, ACCM-1, was held from 7 to 9 October 1998 in Osaka, Japan. This conference marked a key milestone in the establishment of AACM as a continuing academic and professional organization. ACCM-1 brought together participants from multiple countries and regions, demonstrating broad international interest in composite materials research within and beyond the Asian-Australasian region.

From its early years, AACM placed strong emphasis on recognizing academic excellence and professional contributions. The early ACCM award framework included Young Researcher Awards, Premier Paper Awards, and the AACM Medal. These awards were designed to encourage young researchers, recognize high-quality conference papers, and honor individuals who made significant contributions to composite materials science, technology, and service to the Asian-Australasian composite materials community.

Since 1998, the ACCM conference series has continued as the flagship academic activity of AACM. It has been hosted across Asia and Australasia, providing a recurring platform for researchers, engineers, students, and professional societies to exchange research findings, discuss emerging technologies, and strengthen regional and international collaboration.

Over time, ACCM has developed into one of the major composite materials conferences in the Asian-Australasian region, covering a wide range of topics including composite materials science, mechanics, manufacturing, processing, functional materials, structural applications, and advanced technologies.