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National Composites Centre

About the NCC

The National Composites Centre (NCC) is an independent, open-access technology centre delivering world-class research and development of composites. As part of the UK’s Catapult Network, we offer our partners access to the latest technology, provide technical expertise and the business support they need to overcome barriers to innovation and accelerate their growth.

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What we do

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Sectors

Aerospace

Defence & Space

Energy

Surface Transport

Construction & Infrastructure

Supporting SMEs across sectors

Latest news

  • International Composites Summit 2022

    21 Sep 2022
    The International Composites Summit is the UK's only exhibition focused solely on the global composites market. Taking place at the ILEC Conference Centre in London on 21-22 September, the event brings together leading industry professionals to address the worldwide opportunities for sales and growth within the composites sector, needed to help our journey to net zero. 

    Come and see the National Composites Centre at Stand C2, which we're hosting, with our fellow High Value Manufacturing Catapult centres, the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland and WMG. We will be presenting throughout the Summit.

  • National Composites Centre manufactures Ceramic Matrix Composites using Automated Fibre Placement in European first

    21 Sep 2022
    NCC engineers have completed a European first by manufacturing Ceramic Matrix Composites (CMCs) using Automated Fibre Placement (AFP) technology, paving the way for the high-temperature capabilities of these materials to be unlocked within engines – making them more efficient and reducing CO₂ emissions.

  • Net Zero at the heart of NCC’s Core Research programme for 2022/23

    08 Sep 2022
    The pressing need to develop sustainable ways of using advanced materials is at the heart of the projects selected for the National Composite Centre’s Core Research programme for 2022/23.

  • NCC exhibition at Cenex-LCV, the UK’s largest low carbon vehicle event

    07 Sep 2022
    Visit the NCC on stand C1-04 to discover how composites is enabling the UK's net zero future through innovation. Our team will be on hand to talk through some exciting projects and research developments, including our new carbon fibre reclamation initiative. Our recycled pressure vessel made from continuous carbon reclaimed from a whole pressure vessel will also be on display.

  • NCC launches initiative to industrialise continuous carbon fibre reclamation and fast-track a ‘second-life’ materials market in the UK

    07 Sep 2022
    The NCC has launched a three-year innovation programme that will see a team of composites specialists refine and scale the industrial processes needed to establish a commercial market for reclaimed continuous carbon fibre. With global demand for virgin fibre set to exceed supply by 2025, this could ease pressure on supply chains and see the UK take a leading role in defining a new era for composites.

Events

  • Factory 2050, Sheffield
    Read more about Immerse Technology Conference: Understanding & Application in Industry

    Immerse Technology Conference: Understanding & Application in Industry

    28 - 29 Sep 2022
    Made Smarter Innovation, Immerse UK and AREA in collaboration with the HVMC, is holding an enterprise XR workshop / demonstration event looking at Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) technologies, their benefits and how they can be used within your organisation.
  • Aberdeen
    Read more about Innovative Materials Offshore

    Innovative Materials Offshore

    28 Sep 2022
    Exploring the potential benefits of composite materials, in terms of safety and lifecycle costs to operators and the challenges for introducing new materials in high-hazard environments and the technical limitations of composites and other non-metallic materials.
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Training

  • Read more about Introduction to Design for Composites

    Introduction to Design for Composites

    This course will give you an understanding of the requirements that are important to consider in the composites world, along with a series of tools and techniques that will enable you to create robust concept designs for every new project you undertake.
  • Read more about Introduction to Composite Mould Tool Production

    Introduction to Composite Mould Tool Production

    This is a highly practical course, which will teach you cost-effective ways of producing your own moulding from scratch. You'll gain the knowledge you need to produce quality parts and learn how to avoid common errors.
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