The National Composites Centre (NCC), which is a part of the Bristol University and located at Bristol and Bath Science Park was inaugurated by the Business Secretary Vince Cable.
Business Secretary Vince Cable at the launch of the National Composites Centre. Credit: Martin Chainey
The NCC involves investments amounting to £25 million from the South West Regional Development Agency, European Regional Developmental Fund and the Department of Business Innovation and Skills. Besides investments from these government organisations, the NCC is also backed by major private sector companies such as Rolls Royce, Airbus, Vestas, GKN, Umeco and AgustaWestland. These companies have committed investments of up to £5.5 million over the next three years with £5 million in this year. The NCC is also part of the initiatives from the High Value Manufacturing Technology and Innovation Centre.
During the inauguration, various other innovations based on composite technology were also showcased. These included aircraft wing components, electric cars made of composite bodies and tidal turbine blades. According to Mr.Vince Cable, though many innovations take place in the UK more ideas and inventions are necessary to create more jobs and such initiatives help the country to achieve growth in its economy through manufacturing. International universities and businesses based in the South West and all over the UK will collaborate with NCC to discover new technologies and develop advanced composite materials.