LATEST: Early booking of hotels in the Cardiff area is highly recommended, as demand (and therefore prices) will rise due to a high profile concert taking place in the Principality Stadium on the night of the 16th June.

3rd International Explosives Conference

Days
Hours
Minutes
Seconds

16th June to 18th June 2026.

The Parkgate Hotel Cardiff

Emerging Technology in Energetics

Watch IEC-2024 video
Attend Exhibit

"An international conference on emerging technology in energetics."

Emerging Technology in Energetics

IEC-2026 will accept papers in theoretical and experimental research, modelling and industrial applications in the following themes:

  • Alternatives routes to synthesis, formulation and fabrication of energetics
  • Characterisation, testing, evaluation, diagnostics and qualification of energetics
  • Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning to support energetic capabilities
  • Environmental impact and sustainability
  • Other related topics will be considered
The UK's Centre of Excellence for Energetic Materials (CoEEM), in conjunction with the Explosives Sector Strategy Group (ESSG) and Cranfield University, is hosting the third International Explosives Conference 2026 (IEC-2026).

This event is for all professionals involved in the fundamental science of explosives and energetic materials. If you are interested in the science that underpins deeper understanding of explosives, propellants, pyrotechnics and gas generators, this is the event for your consideration. We invite all, from early careers through to subject matter experts to be involved.

By design the conference is unclassified to accommodate a broad international participation. The style of the event is keynote and other presentations, interactive plenaries and poster sessions.

Exhibitors

We are delighted the following exhibitors are attending and supporting the conference.

Institute of Explosive Engineers
Stoli Chem
Propex


Become a exhibitor

Keynote Speakers

There will be a number of keynote presentations to be announced over the coming months.

Philip Cheese

Defence Equipment & Support, MOD: UKs explosives capability for Defence

Holly Winter

Defence Equipment & Support, MOD: UKs explosives capability for Defence

Dr Adam Michalchuk

Dr Adam Michalchuk

University of Birmingham: Mechanochemistry

Dr Terry Salyer

Los Alamos National Laboratory: Shock physics and diagnostics

Helge Stadheim

NAMMO: Environmental and sustainability

Professor Kit Windows-Yule

Professor Kit Windows-Yule

University of Birmingham: Artificial Intelligence

Key Dates

30 April 2026: Early Bird registration has been extended to the 30 April 2026 (N.B. the delegate fee will increase to £660 from 1st May 2026)

Editorial committee

Professor Jackie Akhavan Cranfield University
Associate Professor Peter Portius Birmingham University
Dr William Proud Imperial College London
Professor Colin Pulham Edinburgh University
Professor Andy Tyas Sheffield University
Dr David Williamson Cambridge University
Professor Thomas Wirth Cardiff University


Costs and Concessions

Delegate

Early Bird Delegate until 30th April 2026
Three days, lunch and refreshments, networking drinks and dinner: £560

Delegate from 1st May 2026
Three days, lunch and refreshments, networking drinks and dinner: £660

Spouse
Attendance at the drinks reception and dinner: £200

Students and Early Careers
All Students (including CU) and Early Careers are welcome to register for a bursary, but you will need to provide a statement of support from your supervisor and give an oral presentation or display a poster to qualify. Early Careers is defined as the first ten years of education or employment: £250 (max 20)

Register

Exhibit

Exhibition space is limited and will be available on a first come, first served basis. We are delighted that the Institute of Explosives Engineers will exhibit alongside the Centre of Excellence in Energetic Materials.

Single Space 2 Metres x 2 Metres - 1 Person - £1010

Extra person for display - £400 (Maximum of 2)

Sponsorship

Sponsorship

Terms and Conditions



Venue - The Parkgate Hotel, Cardiff

Located in the heart of Cardiff’s city centre, The Parkgate Hotel is one of Wales’s most stylish and sought-after venues for conferences, events, and business gatherings. Just a short walk from Cardiff Central Station and directly adjacent to the iconic Principality Stadium, this landmark hotel places delegates in the very centre of the Welsh capital’s civic, commercial, and cultural life.

Housed in a beautifully restored former Post Office and County Court, the hotel blends Victorian grandeur with a contemporary finish that sets a distinctive tone for professional events. From the moment guests arrive beneath its elegant stone façade, The Parkgate creates a sense of occasion—ideal for delegates and speakers alike.

At the heart of the hotel’s offering is a purpose-built suite of premium event spaces, designed to meet the demands of modern conferences while preserving the building’s historic charm:

  • >> The Postmaster Suite: A grand, pillar-free function room that can host up to 432 guests, with flexible configurations for plenary sessions, exhibitions, and gala dinners. A private bar and dedicated entrance offer a seamless experience for attendees.
  • >> Breakout & Meeting Rooms: Smaller spaces such as The Mail Room and The Telegraph Room offer stylish, high-spec environments for workshops, roundtables, and private meetings—each equipped with the latest AV technology for hybrid and in-person formats.
  • >> Event Support: On-site coordination teams, full AV services, and integrated catering ensure a smooth delivery from start to finish.



Prime Location for Access and Entertainment.

Cardiff is a compact and accessible capital, and The Parkgate places everything within reach:

  • >> 2 minutes from Principality Stadium
  • >> 5 minutes from Cardiff Castle
  • >> 7-minute walk from Cardiff Central railway station
  • >> 30 minutes from Cardiff Airport (with direct airport shuttle or taxi services)
  • >> Surrounded by the best of Cardiff’s shopping districts, cultural venues, and green spaces like Bute Park.

Accommodation

We can offer you a discount code, this will offer a discount off the best available rate online. The code is PGHEV5 and can be used in the Promotional section of the The Parkgate Hotel

Leonardo Hotel Cardiff

Located in a stunning Victorian building at the vibrant heart of Cardiff, Leonardo Hotel Cardiff stands out as the ideal destination for both leisure and business travellers. Just off Queen Street, our hotel is a beacon of comfort and convenience, featuring 142 well-appointed rooms ranging from standard doubles to our luxurious Junior Suite.

Each room at Leonardo Hotel Cardiff is equipped with free, fast WiFi, air conditioning, and a flat-screen LCD TV with Freeview, ensuring all the comforts of home are at your fingertips. For guests requiring wheelchair access, our hotel offers specially designed rooms with extra wide doorways, accessible bathrooms with emergency alarms, and ample floor space to manoeuvre,

An Advance purchase discount of 20% is available to book on the best available rates for 15th & 17th June (NOT 16th June). This is applicable 30 days prior to the arrival date. All bookings are to be pre-paid and are non-refundable.

"Booking is simple, just click on the link to the website and enter DACU in the promotional code section". Online Booking

Contact us

Contact our Symposia event organiser


+44 (0)1234 862640

Lynn at Symposia

International Explosives Conference 2026

IEC-2026