Recognised in the UK Government’s Industrial Strategy and Advanced Manufacturing Sector Plan, the initiative will support the UK’s strategic growth sectors.
Strategic Site Choice and Cutting-Edge Manufacturing
The national innovation asset will be strategically located at technology partner Cygnet Texkimp’s site in Northwich, Cheshire West. The facility will house two digitally-enabled development lines for manufacturing carbon fibre, 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 UK.
Collaboration and Expertise Driving UK Innovation
Businesses accessing the facility benefit from world-class on-site materials expertise, close collaboration with the North West’s leading chemical and materials cluster, and – facilitated by NCC - the West of England’s leadership in advanced engineering.
Supporting UK’s Industrial Strategy and Sovereign Supply Chains
Growing the UK’s sovereign Carbon Fibre production capability fully supports the UK’s Industrial Strategy and foundation industries such as advanced materials, while underpinning next-generation defence, aerospace and energy products. In addition to enabling carbon fibre innovation, the facility will train future generations of chemists and engineers, providing a major step forward in securing UK sovereign supply chains.
Next Steps for the Carbon Fibre Development Facility
Initial testing at the facility is scheduled to start in Autumn 2025, before it becomes fully operational in Spring 2026. NCC helps companies to capitalise on innovations to deliver more at every stage of their journey, across the entire product lifecycle from early concept to end-of-life.
Leadership Voices on the Carbon Fibre Development Facility’s Impact
Richard Oldfield, CEO, NCC, said: “Our new Carbon Fibre Development Facility demonstrates NCC's leadership in advanced material technologies, vital to accelerating the growth and competitiveness of the UK’s growth sectors. We’re delighted to continue our partnership with Cygnet Texkimp to develop this new manufacturing capability for carbon fibre, strategically located to facilitate collaborative partnerships and deliver industrial impact for the UK.”
Luke Vardy, CEO, Cygnet Texkimp, said: “We’re extremely pleased to continue our long-standing partnership with NCC and fulfil our long-term ambition to develop this capability within the UK. This facility directly complements our existing fibre processing and recycling capabilities, allowing us to showcase UK advanced materials innovation and manufacturing expertise across the product lifecycle. The opportunity to develop the next generation of British textile machinery and materials engineers in the North of England’s traditional textile manufacturing belt is also a very exciting and fitting prospect.”
