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On June 25, the National Composites Centre (NCC, Bristol, U.K.) confirmed the initial location of its previously announced open-access Carbon Fibre Development facility. The facility is recognized in the UK government’s Industrial Strategy and Advanced Manufacturing Sector Plan.

The national innovation asset will be strategically located at technology partner Cygnet Texkimp’s site in Northwich, Cheshire West, U.K. The facility will house two digitally enabled development lines for manufacturing carbon fiber, funded by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). It will act as a critical stepping stone to further develop and industrialise advanced material manufacturing capability in the U.K.

Businesses accessing the facility benefit from on-site materials expertise, close collaboration with the North West’s chemical and materials cluster and the West of England’s leadership in advanced engineering. In addition to enabling carbon fiber innovation, the facility will train future generations of chemists and engineers. Initial testing at the facility is scheduled to start in autumn 2025, before it becomes fully operational in spring 2026.

The NCC helps companies to capitalize on innovations to deliver more at every stage of their journey, across the entire product lifecycle from early concept to end of life.