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Hexcel Corp. (Stamford, Conn., U.S.) has joined with  (Ayrshire, Scotland) in a strategic collaboration at its Aerospace Innovation Centre (AIC) to develop more sustainable aircraft manufacturing technologies for future aircraft production.

Spirit AeroSystems Europe opened the new 90,000-square-foot innovation center at its Prestwick, Scotland, site in September 2021. The AIC has been established as a center of excellence for the research and development (R&D) of advanced materials, digital manufacturing technologies and processes, where Spirit Europe will collaborate with academic and industry partners including Hexcel to innovate, train and develop skills. Headquartered in Wichita, Kansas, Spirit has production facilities in the U.S., U.K., France, Malaysia and Morocco.

Some of the collaborative activities at the AIC between Hexcel and Spirit Europe include the continued development of (RTM) production applications that will showcase future opportunities for liquid composite molding (LCM) solutions. Hexcel HiTape, a high-performance dry unidirectional (UD) reinforcement optimized for fully automated layup, and HiMax multiaxial fabrics enable RTM manufacture of primary aerostructure components using HiFlow infusion resins.

Hexcel says it is proud to support Spirit Europe and its innovation center as together, the two companies continue to innovate more reliable and more sustainable advanced lightweight composite materials that help reduce emissions and create more efficient aircraft.