Composites UK has been confirmed as returning headline industry partner for the Composites Engineering Show, a central feature of Advanced Engineering 2026, which takes place on 4–5 November at the NEC, Birmingham.
Advanced Engineering is widely recognised as the UK’s leading annual gathering for the engineering and manufacturing community, and the 2026 event is set to build on momentum from a strong 2025 edition that delivered the largest composites audience seen for many years. Thousands of specialists in composites, advanced materials and manufacturing are expected to attend.
As part of the wider Advanced Engineering portfolio organised by Easyfairs, the Composites Engineering Show brings together the full composites value chain, from materials suppliers and process innovators through to OEMs and Tier 1, 2 and 3 manufacturers. It remains the UK’s only dedicated event for the composites sector and will once again host the country’s largest concentration of composites and advanced materials professionals.
Running alongside the Composites Engineering Show will be UK Metals Expo, the UK’s only event focused solely on the metals supply chain, as well as additional Advanced Engineering zones covering design, production and supply chain disciplines. Together, these events create a comprehensive marketplace for materials and manufacturing decision-makers.
As the trade body for the UK composites industry, Composites UK will play a central role in shaping the event’s composites-focused content. A key feature of its presence will be the Composites UK Pavilion, a turnkey exhibition package designed to support SMEs. The Pavilion will accommodate between 18 and 20 companies, offering a cost-effective route to exhibiting and enabling smaller businesses to benefit from a collective industry presence.
Composites UK will also curate the Composites Engineering Forum Stage, providing a platform for technical presentations, thought leadership and industry debate. Submissions to present are now open, with a deadline of 29 May.
Many Composites UK member companies will also exhibit independently across the show floor, highlighting the depth, diversity and capability of the UK composites supply chain. In addition, Composites UK’s position on the Advanced Engineering advisory board ensures the event remains closely aligned with industry needs and priorities.
Alongside the exhibition, Composites UK will host its annual Industry Awards Dinner on the evening of the first show day at the nearby National Motorcycle Museum. The event celebrates excellence and innovation across the sector, with early bird bookings available and award submissions now open.
Dr Sue Halliwell, operations manager at Composites UK, said: “We are delighted to return as a headline partner of Advanced Engineering and the Composites Engineering Show. This event is a cornerstone of the UK composites calendar and provides an invaluable platform for our members and the wider composites community to connect, collaborate and showcase their expertise.”
Simon Farnfield, head of the manufacturing cluster at Easyfairs, added: “Advanced Engineering, featuring the UK’s only Composites Engineering Show, is now firmly established as the leading annual gathering of the UK composites and advanced materials community. After our best-ever composites edition last year, we are doubling down: working hand-in-hand with Composites UK… to bring more than 15,000 engineers, materials specialists and decision-makers together at the NEC in November.”