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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

  • Cristex Composite Materials join NCC’s SME Affiliate Scheme

    09 May 2022
    The NCC is delighted to welcome Cristex Composite Materials - one of the UK’s premier suppliers of High-Performance Fibres and Fabrics for the UK Composites and Reinforced Plastics Markets – to its SME Affiliate Scheme.

  • New digital design trial on a composite hydrogen pressure vessel five times faster

    05 May 2022
    The NCC has successfully completed a proof-of-concept project that demonstrates the transformative impact of digital tools on the design process for the complex engineering industry.  The application of Multi-Disciplinary Optimisation (MDO) techniques to a composite hydrogen pressure vessel has resulted in identifying an optimum design five times faster than a traditional, sequential approach.

  • Viable routes to recycling wind turbine blades found in NCC’s sustainable wind research programme

    04 May 2022
    The NCC, in partnership with the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult, launched the SusWIND programme to drive the future sustainability of composite wind turbine components. In its first annual review, the NCC has published the key findings of the programme and sets out ambitious plans to tackle the main challenges of legacy and future blades.

  • UK team successfully recycles reclaimed continuous carbon fibres from composite pressure tanks

    03 May 2022
    NCC engineers, along with British SME partners B&M Longworth Ltd and Cygnet Texkimp, have successfully reclaimed continuous carbon fibres from a whole pressure vessel and re-used them to manufacture a new pressure vessel. This is the first time this process has been achieved in the UK and represents a significant milestone in the development of Britain’s hydrogen capability.

  • JEC World Paris 2022

    28 Apr 2022
    The National Composites Centre exhibited at this year's JEC World in Paris, the leading international composites show, as part of the UK Pavilion with Composites UK, the Department for International Trade and 25 other UK companies. Here we have details of all our announcements made at JEC.

Events

  • Advanced Propulsion Centre, Coventry
    Read more about Sector Showcase: Hydrogen and the Composites Supply Chain

    Sector Showcase: Hydrogen and the Composites Supply Chain

    31 May 2022
    The National Composites Centre (NCC) will be presenting with B&M Longworth and Cygnet Texkimp at the CIUK Sector Showcase: Hydrogen and the Composites Supply Chain, taking place 31st May, at the Advanced Propulsion Centre, Coventry.
  • Online
    Read more about NCE Future of Bridges

    NCE Future of Bridges

    08 Jun 2022
    Kaloyana Kostova, Principal Research Engineer, NCC is presenting at 10.15 alongside speakers from Arup and the University of Warwick at NCE Future of Bridges.
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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 Manual Prepreg Techniques

    Introduction to Manual Prepreg Techniques

    During this course we'll give you the background knowledge you need to optimise your use of prepreg materials in order to achieve the best possible outcomes. We'll also teach you the techniques used by technicians and you'll have the opportunity to practice what you've learnt.
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