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Big news from Composites Lounge. As JEC World 2026 approaches and booth decisions enter their final stretch, many companies are facing the same question: How do we still show up effectively in Paris without the cost, stress, and heavy logistics of a traditional booth? Together with our Premium Partner International Composites Summit (ICS), delivered by The Fluency Business Group, we will host a special Live event to introduce a smart, turnkey solution for exhibitors who need a fast and powerful way to be present at the world’s leading composites show. Topic: Exhibit Smart at JEC World 2026 — Inside the ICS Innovation Hub Pods The ICS Innovation Hubs are designed for innovators, SMEs, scale-ups, and global players who want visibility and lead generation without the operational burden of a full stand. Each exhibitor receives a branded pod, integrated PR, pre‑event marketing, prime floor placement, on‑site support, furniture, lighting, power — a complete turnkey set‑up. This agile model is now coming for the first time to France, right onto the show floor of JEC World 2026. And who better to join this Live event than the team behind the concept: Gemma Hardy — Managing Director, The Fluency Business Group Katie Homes — Marketing Director, The Fluency Business Group Colin Leatham-Locke — Director of Sales, The Fluency Business Group Together, they will share how the Innovation Hub pods help companies: • Save time, money, and planning effort • Reduce the risk of last‑minute exhibiting • Stay visible even while attending conferences and meetings • Capture leads thanks to on‑site Fluency support • Enter JEC World 2026 without the need for complex stand builds Useful links for context: ICS Innovation Hubs https://lnkd.in/dQCuv4Z5 International Composites Summit (ICS) https://lnkd.in/eQpxyjTX The Fluency Business Group https://fluency-group.com/ JEC World 2026 https://lnkd.in/d6pe5sr Composites Lounge https://lnkd.in/dkPpr-pd This Live event is ideal for: Companies still deciding how to participate at JEC World 2026 Innovators with small teams R\&D-heavy organisations Startups and scale-ups entering new markets Exhibitors who want visibility without complexity If JEC World 2026 matters to your strategy, you won’t want to miss this. YouTube Episode: https://youtube.com/live/nzO2sVorGoY?feature=share

How do we move from pilot projects to true circularity in composites — at industrial scale? In this full #Composites360onTour interview, Ilkay Özkisaoglu speaks with Julia Minici,  Co‑Founder & Chairperson of Afterwind, directly after the first General Assembly of the European Circular Composites Alliance (ECCA) in Brussels, organised by EuCIA. Afterwind is tackling one of the biggest sustainability challenges in advanced materials:  *what happens to composite products at the end of their life — especially wind turbine blades? Julia explains Afterwind’s approach to true recycling of glass‑fibre composites, why consistent quality at scale is the missing link for circularity, and how recycling solutions developed for wind can be transferred to construction, automotive and boating. Topics covered in this interview: • What “true recycling” really means — beyond landfill and incineration  • Mechanical vs. chemical recycling and current technology readiness levels • Why scaling secondary raw materials is essential for manufacturers  • The real challenges of recycling 66‑metre wind turbine blades  • How Afterwind builds stable, cross‑industry feedstock streams  • Why the boating industry is a critical next frontier — and why it’s complex  • Julia’s role as Chair of two ECCA Working Groups (Industrial & Recreational, Construction)  • Why ECCA is not just an initiative — but a movement for European industry  • From collaboration to responsibility: how circularity actually gets implemented About the context This conversation was recorded during the **European Circular Composites Alliance (ECCA) General Assembly in Brussels — a milestone event bringing together industry, policymakers and innovators to shape a circular future for composite materials in Europe. Composites Lounge is a proud supporter of the ECCA movement, and this interview is part of our ongoing effort to highlight people who turn **vision into industrial action**. YouTube Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJq-16E8Je0

The International Composites Summit (ICS) enters a new era – and the industry is watching. In an exclusive conversation, Ilkay Özkisaoglu sat down with Gemma Hardy, Managing Director of The Fluency Business Group and the driving force behind ICS, to discuss what makes the 5th edition of ICS (2–3 December 2025 at The Drum Wembley) a strategic turning point for the global composites community. “ICS came straight out of Covid in 2021,” Hardy recalls. “We’re now moving to Wembley for our fifth edition – a bold step that reflects our ambition to create a truly international platform.” Hardy emphasizes that ICS is leaner, more agile, and laser-focused on industry needs: “We’ve moved away from big stands. This year, it’s all about equality and interaction – curated pods, high-level content, and networking that matters.” What’s on the Programme? More: https://lnkd.in/dHPWZJQa The ICS Conference Forum is the intellectual heart of the summit, tackling critical challenges and opportunities across the composites value chain. Expect strategic presentations, provocative panels, and global voices, including: Chris Skinner (Owens Corning Composites) – Strategic Marketing & R\&D insights Ginger Gardiner (CompositesWorld) – Chairing a fiery sustainability debate Marcy Offner – Industry legend on communication and growth NEOM – Visionary perspectives on The Line and future construction in Saudi Arabia And yes, automation and AI take center stage: Ilkay Özkisaoglu will chair the panel “Are We Automating People Out of Composites – or Not?” This discussion promises to be one of the most polarizing sessions of ICS 2025, exploring how digitalization and machine learning are reshaping skills, processes, and the human role in manufacturing. Why ICS Matters Hardy is clear: “The UK has a significant part of the global supply chain. ICS is about putting the UK on the map while connecting international OEMs, Tier 1s, and innovators. It’s a hub for collaboration and growth.” The venue, The Drum at Wembley, offers world-class facilities and festive vibes: “Imagine discussing composites under glass ceilings with Christmas lights outside Wembley Stadium,” Hardy says. “It’s going to be magical.” Don’t Miss the Networking Evening On 2 December, join the ICS Networking Event at The White Horse, Wembley – just steps from the summit venue. Limited to 100 tickets, this relaxed evening includes a welcome drink and festive Christmas buffet – the perfect way to unwind and build connections before the year ends. Secure your spot now Final Call: Register for ICS 2025 and be part of the conversation shaping the future of composites. Free entry for the summit | Register here https://lnkd.in/eYZSTiPB Networking Dinner | Book your ticket https://lnkd.in/eftymWec YouTube Episode: https://youtu.be/bhdGXsR1qtg

Engineering meets sustainability at METSTRADE: Lessons from Gurit’s bio‑based epoxy journey At Metstrade on RAI Amsterdam—the world’s leading B2B hub for the leisure marine sector—Composites Lounge sat down with Philip Aikenhead (Head of Sales EMEA, Gurit) to explore what “sustainable resin solutions” actually means when boats must survive UV, salt, shock loads and repairs over decades. The takeaway: sustainability is moving from pilot talk to disciplined engineering practice. Philip was also a panelist on the JEC Panel on innovation at Metstrade hosted by Éric Pierrejean, CEO of JEC and you can listen to the podcast on our Youtube playlist (Link in the Comment) and soon an any podcast app. What changed? Formulation first, slogans second. Gurit has reformulated key epoxy portfolios (Prime infusion, Ampreg laminating) so that bio‑content is now standard—while retaining marine-class certifications and processing windows that builders already trust. In parallel, Gurit emphasizes low-toxicity chemistry (CMR- and SVHC-free hardeners) and recycled PET cores, tying material choices to LCA-backed CO₂ reduction rather than anecdotes. Reality checks that matter to engineers Application fit: Bio‑based epoxies are thermosets—great for high-end and semi‑structural parts, auxiliaries (hardtops, passerelles) and repairs; they drop into existing vacuum infusion and wet‑lam processes without exotic tooling. Environmental durability: Gurit validates against UV and saltwater aging, aligning with service-life realities rather than lab-only claims. Fire: IMO compliance remains a system-level problem; think liners/barriers and careful additive strategies—not silver bullets baked into every resin. Why this matters now Marine programs are increasingly measured on embodied carbon and operator safety—without sacrificing weight, cure control, or classification. Gurit’s approach—incremental CO₂ cuts at industrial scale—is exactly how complex fleets transition: pragmatic chemistry, compatible processes, auditable data. This week at boot Düsseldorf: Composites Lounge will be on site to cover the composites agenda led by European Boating Industry (EBI) at the Blue Innovation Dock on 22 January 2026. Engineers—what questions should we ask on bio‑based epoxies, cores, and recyclability? Drop them in the comments, and follow for real‑time insights. See you at JEC World 2026: Composites Lounge will also visit Gurit to track how the bio‑based and low‑toxicity roadmap evolves into new marine‑grade solutions. Let us know if you want a materials deep‑dive or booth‑side walkthrough. YouTube Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tho5TYvB8j4