The National Composites Centre (NCC) has confirmed that the UK's first open-access Carbon Fibre Development Facility will be built in Northwich, Cheshire West, backed by funding from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and hosted at technology partner Cygnet Texkimp's site. The facility, aligned with the UK's Industrial Strategy and Advanced Manufacturing Sector Plan, will feature two digitally enabled carbon fibre development lines to speed up R&D and scale-up of advanced materials manufacturing.
Sitting at the intersection of the North West's chemicals and materials cluster and the West of England's advanced engineering expertise, the centre is intended to become a strategic innovation hub offering access to materials science expertise and manufacturing infrastructure. Initial testing is due to start in autumn 2025, with full operation planned for spring 2026.
NCC's CEO called the facility a demonstration of the centre's leadership in advanced materials technology, while Cygnet Texkimp's CEO said it complements the company's existing fibre processing and recycling capabilities and supports training the next generation of textile engineers in the region.
Source: www.nccuk.com
