The West of England has the strongest composites R&D capability in the UK.
Industry led innovation driven by global giants Airbus, GKN Aerospace and Rolls-Royce all playing their roles to accelerate advanced composites, additive manufacturing and industrialisation, and transition to a net zero carbon economy.
Multinational leaders Rolls Royce, Airbus, GKN, alongside key aerospace businesses including National Composites Centre and Centre for Modelling & Simulation, support the Bristol & Bath composites cluster.
We are home to four world-class universities and over 650 composites experts across our centres of excellence.
Together, inspirational talent and game-changing new technologies are leading the way to drive innovation for composites research and application.
DETI (Digital Engineering Technology & Innovation) and CLAMPS (Computer Learning in Manufacturing Process) are accelerating the growth of the composites skills base.
The West of England is home to the UK’s largest aerospace cluster with the Advanced Engineering and Aerospace sector employing 29,500 people.
The £40m Wing Integration Centre (AWIC) will incorporate disruptive technology that will design the “Wing of the Future”, the next generation of fuel efficient aircraft.
An independent, not-for-profit specialist in digital engineering capability. It provides a digital testbed for the design of high-value engineering products and processes.
The £32m Global Technology Centre (GTC) will increase collaboration across the ecosystem and investigate applications of emerging technology.
The £25m composites technology facility will develop fan blades for cleaner, quieter, more efficient jet engines.
With over 240 staff, the BCI provides world class research and education. Utilising cutting-edge science with industrial applications, the BCI focuses on collaboration between academia and industry with >25m in funding.
Explores digital process modelling and advanced machine learning can help streamline the design and manufacturing of composites. A collaboration between the NCC and CFMS.
A £8.85m research, innovation and skills initiative sets out to develop and accelerate digital engineering across multiple industry sectors.
Over £300m has been invested in state-of-the-art capabilities, hosting 450 composites experts delivering world class research, development and major programmes to address complex global challenges.
Ian Risk, Chief Technology Officer, CFMS (Centre for Modelling and Simulation)
If you're thinking of investing in the space sector here in the UK then the West of England is one of the prime areas you should consider.
The advanced engineering sector has really grown from the early days of the likes of Brunel and Concorde.
That capability has snowballed over the last few years. The growth in the industrial footprint in the academic capability in the region and with the arrival of the Science Park, we have the likes of ourselves at CFMS, we have The National Composites Centre.
We have the new institute from Bath University as well, all of which is providing an ecosystem that these companies that want to come to the region can access and access efficiently.
Bristol & Bath offer a thriving ecosystem that fosters business growth and acceleration.
Located in the West of England, the region is home to 1.1 million. Boasting four prestigious universities and over 46,000 businesses make it a well-connected and innovative area.