Originally the association was set up on November 14, 1960 as the "Organisation of the reinforced plastics associations of the common market" with GPRMC as acronym. This original English description, as inserted in the first statutes, makes it clear that the founding members of GPRMC were the 6 representative national federations of the Common Market. It is however the original French denomination "Groupement des Plastiques Renforcés du Marché Commun" that explains the origin of the acronym GPRMC. Later on GPRMC was interpreted to be the acronym of the French denomination "Groupement européen des Plastiques Renforcés / Matériaux Composites". Still later on the name of the de facto association was changed into European Composites Industry Association whilst preserving the acronym GPRMC.
During their 2003 General Annual Assembly in Weisenheim the members decided to transform the de facto association GPRMC into an international non profit association according to Belgian legislation with the name European Composites Industry Association, and EuCIA as acronym.
They also decided to open membership not only to representaive national composite industry associations, but also to associations representing a particular branch of the composites industry at European level.
EuCIA is integrated as an EuPC Sector Group since January 2007.
EuCIA closely co-operates with other associations
With an eye on defending common interests EuCIA closely cooperates with
- at European level: composite industry supplier associations like CEFIC (in particular the resin manufacturers), PlasticsEurope (in particular the polymer and BPA producers) and APFE (reinforcing glass fibre producers), etc
- at international level: composite industry associations of other non European countries like CFA (USA), JRPS (Japan), etc.
