Composites challenge aims to put UK at forefront of industry

The Composites Grand challenge was set by the Technology Strategy Board on behalf of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. Results from a year of work across the research programme include the development of advanced methods of wing manufacture, the development and validation of rapid curing technologies and techniques to significantly increase the affordability and availability of high performance composite fabrics. From now until July 2011, the i-Composites consortium will be participating in and hosting events showcasing the results of its research and sharing the outcomes across UK industry in a bid to boost the country's leadership in this area. The first of these will be exhibiting at the BIS Composites Exhibition from 6-17 June 2011 at 1 Victoria Street, London. "Today's exhibition at BIS demonstrates the success of the joint funded Grand Challenge programme," said Business Minister, Mark Prisk. "It also highlights the UK expertise that is putting our country at the forefront of new developments. The composite market is a high value and fast growing sector with huge opportunities to create economic growth. Opportunities in the UK wind turbine blade and aerospace markets alone will be worth an estimated £22billion by 2020." Dr John Morlidge, lead technologist for advanced materials at the Technology Strategy Board, added: "When we set the Composites Grand Challenge last year, part of the objective was to create a new, strong force for innovation in a sector that has been fragmented. We are delighted to see that this diverse consortium has worked so well together to address the challenges faced by their industry. They have found innovative approaches, shared the outcomes of their research and moved the UK's manufacturing capabilities forward in this vital and growing sector."