The brisk development in free-flowing thermoset moulding compounds has expanded still further the already wide range of applications for high quality structural components. Here, the main emphasis has been on improved efficiency in processing, seen from an economical point of view, further increases in high temperature resistance, moulding compounds for dimensionally stable precision components and expansion performance approaching that of steel, as well as the production of fiber reinforced materials suitable for automatic processing. New applications have been opened up in the vehicle sector, in the production of crockery and electrical components for industrial as well as domestic use. The recent development of asbestos-free compounds with similar properties to those containing asbestos, have also made an important contribution. Work in progress at the moment will open up new possibilities in vehicle construction, electrical engineering, electronics and mechanical engineering. For figures see German text.