Source | The National Composites Centre (NCC)

The Industrial Strategy recently published by the UK government is recognized as being the “highest growth opportunity areas for the economy and business,” focusing on several key sectors: advanced manufacturing, aerospace, clean energy, defense and digital technologies. The Industrial Strategy goes as far as to commit to “scaling up R&D in composites, including through support for government-backed centers such as the National Composite Centre [NCC] in Bristol.”

“Already an innovation partner to industry, we are expanding our capabilities to deliver more impact for the nation,” says Richard Oldfield, CEO of NCC, in response to the Strategy’s publication. “This includes collaborating to develop the future materials, products and processes that will secure U.K. technology leadership for next-generation aircraft platforms and anchor future industries in support of the U.K.’s energy transition. The Alliance between the High Value Manufacturing Catapult and MOD announced is also testament to NCC’s status as a center of excellence for defense innovation.”

The NCC is expanding its capabilities in advanced materials and digital and AI. Oldfield points to the NCC’s hosting of the U.K.’s fastest supercomputer — Isambard AI — as an example. The NCC is also creating sovereign advanced material capability, announcing the location of the U.K.’s open-access Carbon Fibre Development Facility in the North West, connecting a chemical and materials cluster, and — facilitated by NCC — the west of England’s leadership in advanced engineering.” More than two-thirds of the SMEs the NCC works with are located within this western region.

“This Industrial Strategy marks a turning point for Britain’s economy and a clear break from the ‘short-termism’ and sticking plasters of the past,” explains Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. “This is how we power Britain’s future — by backing the sectors where we lead, removing the barriers that hold us back, and setting out a clear path to build a stronger economy that works for working people.”

According to Professor Evelyn Welch, vice chancellor and president of the University of Bristol, universities are going to be key to the delivery of the Industrial Strategy. “We are already working closely with industry partners and national innovation assets like [the] NCC to boost growth across priority sectors,” Welch says.