#240 ICS 2026: Gemma Hardy of Fluency (UK) on Innovation, Community & the Future of Composites

The composites industry does not lack innovation. What it often lacks is connection.Now Live: Composites Lounge Newsletter No. 34That is exactly why the latest edition of the Composites Lounge Newsletter focuses on one of the industry's most important community-driven initiatives: the International Composites Summit (ICS) and the growing ecosystem being built around it. ICS 2026 returns to The Drum Wembley, London, on 1–2 December 2026, continuing its mission to bring together innovators, manufacturers, OEMs, researchers, investors, and technology providers from across the global composites value chain. This issue explores why innovation and community building go hand in hand, revisits the success of ICS 2025.The newsletter also follows the journey of the expanding ICS Innovation Hub network, which now connects companies across some of the most important composites marketplaces worldwide:📍 JEC World — Paris, France (done in March 2026 already)📍 Next CAMX - The Composites and Advanced Materials Expo — Atlanta, USA 📍 Advanced Engineering UK — Birmingham, United Kingdom📍 International Composites Summit — Wembley, London, United KingdomTogether, these Innovation Hub stops are helping innovative companies gain visibility, accelerate networking, and build international business relationships without the complexity of traditional exhibiting models. 👏 A special appreciation goes to PRF Composite Materials, also a valued Composites Lounge Premium Member and the Exclusive Forum Headline Sponsor of ICS 2026. PRF has spent decades supporting technical excellence, innovation, skills development, knowledge sharing, and community building throughout the composites industry. Their commitment to collaboration, education, and industry progression makes them a natural partner for an event that is fundamentally built around bringing people together to exchange ideas and create opportunities. The latest newsletter is packed with:🎥 Video interviews🎙️ Podcast episodes📺 YouTube content🔗 Useful links and resources📖 Executive insights from industry leadersWhether you are an innovator, startup, researcher, OEM, supplier, investor, or simply passionate about the future of composites, this issue provides plenty of ideas, inspiration, and opportunities to get involved.Because at the end of the day, the most important sound at any composites event is not the machine.It is the conversation.And the ICS community is growing.👉 Read the latest Composites Lounge Newsletter now.👉 Interested in exhibiting, sponsoring, speaking, joining a panel, or booking an Innovation Hub pod? The conversation starts here.cc: Gemma Hardy, Katie Homes, Colin Leatham-LockeHannah Khusainova, Marcy OffnerYouTube Episode: https://youtu.be/JUGPP2M8sbc