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Rolls-Royce Bristol Innovation Centre
Image credit: Rolls Royce

We are at the forefront of future composites capability

Driven by industry giants Airbus, GKN Aerospace, and Rolls-Royce, the West of England is at the forefront of advanced composites, additive manufacturing, and industrialization. We are committed to a net-zero carbon future and are accelerating the transition through innovative solutions.

Supporting key sectors

View map of composites centres of excellence
  • Aeroplane icon Aerospace
  • Boat icon Marine
  • Cog icon Defence
  • Cluster icon Robotics
  • High tech and digitalisation
  • Automotive icon Automotive
Two female engineers Image credit: National Composites Centre

Why invest in our region?

The Invest Bristol & Bath team offer extensive tailored support to companies interested in relocating and growing here.

Connect with an expert

A thriving and collaborative composites ecosystem

Image credit: Rolls Royce
Industry lead innovation

Major investments in cutting-edge facilities are driving innovation. For example, Airbus' £40 million Wing Integration Centre, GKN's £32 million Global Technology Centre, and Rolls-Royce's £25 million composites technology facility are propelling the region forward. Coupled with expertise from the National Composites Centre and the Centre for Modelling & Simulation, we're leading the way in advanced materials and sustainable aviation.

Image credit: National Composites Centre
Innovation & research

With over 650 experts and four world-class universities, our region leads in composites research and innovation. The Bristol Composites Institute collaborates with industry on cutting-edge projects, backed by £25m+ funding. Digital advancements, like CLAMPS and the £8.85m DETI initiative, are transforming manufacturing. And over £300m has been invested at the National Composites Centre to host 450 experts delivering cutting-edge research and development.

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.

The South West is the UK's most diverse and capable advanced aerospace engineering cluster.