London, 24/09/2025
Demand for lighter, stronger and more sustainable materials is rising quickly, whether in aerospace, automotive, energy, rail or marine. At the same time, the industry is up against some tough challenges. Notably, cutting carbon, making materials more circular, bringing through the next generation of engineers and keeping supply chains moving in a competitive global market. That’s where Composites UK and Advanced Engineering 2025 step in, where they have collaborated to build a platform that helps to guide the sector into its next phase of growth.
The journey with Advanced Engineering began back in 2010, when the show was still finding its feet and the UK composites sector had limited platforms of its own. Until then, Paris had been the main international destination for composites. Advanced Engineering’s launch was a turning point, finally giving the industry a dedicated home event.
Composites UK’s first stand was small and modest, but the buzz around it was big. It gave UK companies a chance to show off their ideas, connect with peers and underline how important composites were becoming across engineering.
Growing together
Since then, Composites UK has returned year after year, shaping the event and helping it expand. The pandemic hit pause for a while, but it also pushed the sector to rethink how events could deliver more value. Out of that came the idea of the Composites Pavilion.
Instead of standing alone, Composites UK created a space where smaller businesses, especially those who might not have had the budget for a full stand, could exhibit together. It was a simple but powerful idea, and one that’s now heading into its fourth year at Advanced Engineering.
The pavilion has grown into a highlight of the show. Typically hosting ten to twelve companies each year, demand for spots is strong and two-thirds of the 2025 spaces are already taken. For exhibitors, it’s a professional setup with video screens and product displays but without the hassle of organising everything themselves. For visitors, it’s a chance to discover smaller innovators in one concentrated space.
Innovation on show
Composites UK is ramping up its involvement in 2025 to make this year’s show the most influential yet. A reimagined Composites Forum, curated entirely by Composites UK, will offer two full days of insights on sustainability, material circularity and new product development, all aimed at strengthening the sector.
“Composites UK’s partnership with Advanced Engineering is essential as it highlights the transformative potential of composite materials, fosters industry innovation and creates valuable business connections that contribute to the growth and development of the composite manufacturing sector,” said Dr Sue Halliwell, operations manager at Composites UK.
The Composites Networking Forum, sponsored by PRF Composites, will be a major highlight. This space has undergone a complete revamp for 2025, featuring live manufacturing line demos and interactive technology.
Visitors will be able to see cutting-edge equipment in action, including PRF’s prepreg system with a rapid 4-minute processing time on the RP570 heated press. Alongside it, the fire-retardant RP570 FR, which completes in just five minutes, will be demonstrated, as well as the RP570 FR paired with PRF’s recycled carbon prepreg nonwoven mat (REEPREG).
“The PRF Composite Materials team have exciting plans for new product launches and developments for this year, including opening our new Product Development & Innovation centre,” added Hannah Khusainova, marketing director at PRF Composite Materials. “We are very much looking forward to sharing these developments with the community in the build up to and at Advanced Engineering this year.”
Live demos will go further still, with Alan Harper Composites running several hands-on sessions to give attendees a closer look at the techniques and materials that are pushing the industry forward.
Forums, networking and young talent
The show isn’t just about stands and displays. Forum sessions provide insights and networking opportunities on sustainability, material circularity, new product development and other topics shaping the sector. Attendees can meet the speakers directly in the Composites Networking Forum and dive deeper into the issues driving innovation.
This younger audience is vital. With an ageing workforce, composites risks losing more expertise than it gains over the next decade. By engaging students, early-career engineers and young professionals, the show helps to shine a light on the breadth of opportunities available – whether that’s in aerospace, motorsport, automotive, rail or even space.
Tackling skills and diversity head-on
Skills shortages remain one of the sector’s biggest challenges. Last year, Composites UK launched its Skills Pledge and nearly 50 companies have already signed up. The idea is simple. Reach schools, engage with students from an early age and show them the breadth of careers in composites.
This work is supported by the Young Members Group, which is now building a Young Ambassadors programme to train professionals to go into schools and colleges. A mentoring scheme is also being introduced to support younger professionals in the sector.
Diversity and inclusion are high on the agenda too. Composites has long been seen as a male-dominated industry, but the tide is turning. Ahead of the 2025 show, the industry will launch a new Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) framework to guide businesses on how to build more inclusive workplaces, from leadership training to shop-floor awareness. It’s about widening the pool of talent and making the industry stronger in the long run.
Celebrating progress
Awards are always a highlight of Advanced Engineering. For 2025, the composites categories will not only celebrate innovation and sustainability but also introduce the Alan Banks Young Engineers Award, a tribute to the late chairman and his passion for nurturing the next generation. Finalists will pitch their projects live before the awards ceremony, giving them valuable exposure as well as recognition.
Composites UK is again hosting its Industry Awards Dinner on the evening of 29 October at the neighboring National Motorcycle Museum, coinciding with the opening day of Advanced Engineering.
One of the strengths of Advanced Engineering is its reach beyond composites. Buyers and OEMs from aerospace, automotive, rail and marine come together under one roof, opening up collaboration across different industries. Last year, more than 200 professionals from outside composites attended, bringing fresh perspectives and potential partnerships.
International interest is growing too, with delegations from Europe and the US invited for 2025. For SMEs, this opens doors to new markets and opportunities that might otherwise be hard to access.
A focus on sustainability
Sustainability remains the defining challenge and opportunity for composites. Lightweight, durable materials play a crucial role in meeting net-zero goals across transport and energy, but recycling remains a sticking point, especially for glass fibre.
Carbon fibre recycling is moving closer to commercial scale and bio-based materials are on the rise. The 2025 forum will dive into all of these areas, exploring both technology and infrastructure needs.
By putting sustainability front and centre, the show highlights not just what’s being made but how it’s being made. It’s about pushing for greener processes while keeping the industry competitive on the world stage.
2025 and beyond
As Advanced Engineering 2025 approaches, momentum is building. The Composites Pavilion is nearly full, the forum programme is shaping up to be one of the most compelling yet and new initiatives like the Composites Village, a new area dedicated to showcasing startups and smaller businesses, will add even more energy to the show floor. Live demos, awards, international visitors and EDI initiatives make it a must-attend for anyone serious about growth in composites.
For Composites UK and its members, the benefits are clear. The show creates visibility and helps with collaboration and accelerate the sector’s development. From that modest stand in 2010 to a thriving ecosystem today, it’s proof of how far the industry has come and where it’s heading.
“Advanced Engineering gives our members visibility and opportunities they simply wouldn’t get alone,” said Diane, Composites UK exhibition manager. “The show is about relationships, collaboration and seeing where the next opportunity might come from. That’s why it continues to matter – and why our partnership will keep growing for years to come.”
The story of Composites UK and Advanced Engineering shows that progress doesn’t happen in isolation. From a small stand to a thriving pavilion, from early networking sessions to awards and mentoring programmes, it’s a journey built on collaboration and a shared vision for the future.
You see it clearly in the composites sector. The drive for lighter, stronger and more sustainable materials touches every part of the industry and reaches into aerospace, automotive, energy, rail and marine too. Innovation and circular thinking aren’t just ideas here, they guide the decisions and developments that progress the sector.
Register today to confirm your attendance at the Advanced Engineering trade show, taking place on 29 & 30 October 2025 at the NEC Birmingham, here.
On October 29 and 30, 2025, over 9000 engineering and manufacturing professionals gathered to the NEC, Birmingham, to attend the 16th edition of Advanced Engineering, the UK’s annual gathering for the engineering and manufacturing sectors. Across the two days, visitors witnessed the very latest that the industry had to offer, with over 400 exhibitors showcasing their innovations.
The United Kingdom stands as a global leader in advanced manufacturing and engineering – a nation where innovation, digitalisation, and sustainability converge to drive progress. From automation and advanced materials to connected supply chains and the transition to net zero, the UK continues to pioneer cutting-edge advancements that reinforce its position as a hub for high-value manufacturing.
Rhino Workplace Innovation are delighted to be an exhibitor at the forthcoming Advanced Engineering event at the NEC from October 29th to 30th. This important show is a showcase for a wide range of sectors including aerospace, automotive, composites, construction, defence & security, energy, marine, medical, rail, space, sports & leisure.
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