Technical centre of excellence for the South West

26 November 2009

The South West was named as the location of a new National Composites Centre (NCC) as part of the UK Composites Strategy, announced today (Thursday 26 November 2009).

The NCC marks a further milestone in the development of a low carbon economy. It will be an independent open-access national Centre to help deliver world-class innovation in the design and rapid manufacture of composites and enable widespread industrial exploitation. The Centre will form an internationally leading hub linking activities across all sectors of the UK in research, education and training, technology transfer and incubation of new enterprises. Located in the South West, it will act as a national resource and will develop strong links with other manufacturing centres and composite facilities across the UK.

The state-of-the-art Centre will be supported with £16m of public sector investment comprising £12m from the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills (the Strategic Investment Fund announced in the last budget) and £4m from the South West RDA (Regional Development Agency). Public sector investment will be supplemented with contributions from some of the world's leading engineering companies.

The South West was selected as the Centre's location because the region is one of the most significant developers and investors in carbon fibre composites, and has some of the most important and advanced end-users and exporters in the country. It is estimated that in excess of £450m has already been committed in composite-related investments in the region (both public and private sector) in the last six years.

The RDA will oversee the construction of a purpose-built 6,000 square metre facility (artist's impression attached) with workshop space, open-plan offices, meeting rooms and teaching facilities, in collaboration with Bristol University and industry partners.

These 'First-Tier' partners currently are Airbus, GKN, Rolls-Royce and Vestas. The Centre will be located in the Bristol area and will be operational by 1st April 2011.

Business Minister Ian Lucas said: "Today we've launched our strategy for composites in the UK, and the South West will play a vital role in this with the new National Composites Centre in Bristol. Government must help create the conditions to support long term growth as industry increasingly uses advanced composites in more durable, lightweight and higher-performance products; that's why we're investing £16m of public money in this Centre.

"The South West is already home to some of our leading companies exploiting the potential of these high-tech, super strength materials. We want to build on this to increase capacity across the country - the new national centre will be taking this forward. The skills, manufacturing and products developed through this centre are part of the high-end, low carbon manufacturing that will grow the UK's industrial strengths for the 21st century."

Jim Knight, Regional Minister for the South West said: "The University, in partnership with international partners, has already made great progress in the development of new industries and technologies in the region. For example the Composite Structures Development Centre which is part of National Composites Network based in Airbus at Filton has already developed cutting edge wing design for the international market.

"The region already has a high level skill base in the aerospace sector. By offering the workforce increased training, through in-company training and Train to Gain, we can achieve this exciting skills transfer through this new centre.

"I fully support the region's high aspirations for our low carbon economy and this new centre will go along way in developing and designing light materials across a number of key sectors. This includes green technologies and by bringing our universities and businesses together, the region will continue to be a pathfinder in developing new composite materials in the UK."

Sir Harry Studholme, Chair of the South West RDA, said: "This is great news for Bristol, and the South West. Composite materials provide huge opportunities for our industries to develop. They bring new approaches to existing industries to help them remain competitive on an international stage as well as opening up new avenues for developing businesses. As a national centre the NCC will provide a focal point for the research and development of composites. It will build on the strong base the UK already has in this sector, and will provide the opportunities for scientists, technicians and businesses throughout the country to work together."

Professor Eric Thomas, Vice-Chancellor of Bristol University, said: "We are proud to be playing a central role in the establishment of a facility that will be of major significance to South West England and the UK as a whole. It will reinforce our already close links with industry and yield a range of academic, economic and practical benefits."

Ian Chatting, Vice President in Vestas, said: "Vestas have an established research partnership with Bristol University and the national composite centre will enable us to significantly extend these activities. Composite materials are critical for future wind power plants and this initiative will bring together leading organisations to develop world class capabilities in this area of technology."

Tom Williams, Executive Vice-President of Programmes for Airbus, said: "Airbus in the UK has been developing composite technology for wing structures over the last decade, which has enabled Airbus to manufacture composite wings for the A400M and A350 XWB. Further research is required to enable design and manufacture at high rates and to further optimise the strengths of the material. The NCC will help advance that research, further develop composite engineering capabilities within the UK, and continue to keep the South West and the UK in a leadership role within composites."

Marcus Bryson, Chief Executive Officer, GKN Aerospace, said: "GKN is committed to the National Composites Strategy and to this new National Composites Centre to be located in the South West.

"The Composites Centre will be a key facility in enabling UK manufacturing to develop new composite material applications across a wide range of sectors and will extend expertise in an area that is a critical skill for the UK's manufacturing future. GKN sees it as an important element of our involvement in future global aerospace programmes - and as we look to expand our expertise into other sectors."

Ric Parker, Director of Research & Technology at Rolls-Royce said: "Rolls-Royce is delighted to be a partner in the National Composites Centre. This is a great endorsement for the aerospace cluster in the southwest and will help support future technology requirements. Our investment is part of our ongoing commitment to working across industry and academia on key areas of research and development."

Contacts for further information

South West RDA: Billy McKenna, 07918 690 228

University of Bristol: Barry Taylor, 07748 337172

Airbus: Kristi Tucker, 0117 936 2746

GKN: Helene Cox, 07710 074255

Rolls-Royce: Josh Rosenstock, 020 7227 9163

Vestas Wind Systems: Michael Holm, +459730 3236

Ends

Notes to editors

1. The South West RDA leads the development of a sustainable economy, investing to unlock the region's business potential. It is helping companies respond to the economic crisis and charts a course for recovery. The RDA is developing or expanding initiatives which include: establishing a Business Loan Fund, coordinating the response to large companies in difficulty and preparing for economic recovery. More information can be found at http://www.southwestrda.org.uk/

2. Bristol University has an international reputation in the field of composites and has engaged with more than 90 companies working in this field over the past five years. It has strategic partnerships with First Tier partners Vestas, Rolls-Royce and Airbus, as well as Agusta Westland and GE Aviation, in addition to research partnerships with universities including Bath, Oxford, Cambridge and Imperial College. A Composites Doctoral Training Centre has just opened at the University with £7m funding from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council. A new, £5m extension to one of the University's main engineering buildings is being constructed to provide room for expansion.

3. The commercial applications of the NCC 'products' will include:
- Wind turbine blades - improved performance of materials used in blade manufacture and dramatically increase the speed by which they can be manufactured;
- Aerospace - deposit 30 kilos per hour (of composite material) over complex shapes and reduce weight by up to 20% by optimising design;
- Marine - design ship hulls with greater slamming resistance
- Off-shore oil and gas platform repairs - develop lay-up (production) techniques suitable for use in wet, hostile conditions
- Construction - develop design competence and large-scale manufacturing techniques
- Automotive - develop mass production solutions for low-weight, energy-efficient structures and complete structural body-shells
- Defence - lightweight armour

4. Advanced composites is a generic term for a suite of materials manufactured from high-performance fibres, such as carbon fibres, which have been pre-impregnated with suitable resin matrices. The fibres are used to create woven or stitched fabrics or tapes which are then used to manufacture components, structures and tooling by applying heat and pressure. The advantage of composites over traditional manufacturing materials is that they provide the freedom to design structures of optimum performance, in complex shapes, at lower cost and with significant environmental benefits. Composites combine strength and lightness with unrivalled versatility and flexibility.

5. Composites combine different materials to provide enhanced properties. For example, carbon fibres in an epoxy plastic matrix give high stiffness, strength and durability with low weight, making them very attractive materials for high performance structures.

6. Composites are particularly important to achieving the low carbon agenda. For example, the use of composite materials in aircraft structures will reduce weight, increase fuel efficiency and, ultimately, lead to a reduction in emissions. Additionally, the use of composite components in wind and marine turbine blades enables will improve the efficiency of various applications in this field.