The EPSRC Future Composites Manufacturing Research Hub will be attending the International Composites Summit (ICS) in London on 21-22 September 2022 and will be located at Pod 30. 

The Hub aims to underpin the growth potential of the composites industry. With a valuable platform in ICS, development outcomes can be promoted from the fundamental research being conducted in automated composite manufacturing technologies across the 15 UK university partners. The research challenges address the needs of our diverse industrial partner network, covering sectors such as automotive, aerospace and energy storage. 

The Hub will be showcasing research outcomes from five priority areas: 

• High-rate deposition and rapid processing technologies. 
• Design for manufacture via validated simulation. 
• Manufacturing for multifunctional composites and integrated structures.
• Inspection and in-process evaluation. 
• Recycling and re-use. 

Dr Lee Harper, Hub Manager said: “The International Composites Summit is an exciting opportunity to showcase all of the innovative work on composites manufacturing being conducted within our research network. We look forward to meeting members of the community in-person and discussing how we can further utilise composite materials to provide lightweight solutions for structural applications.”

ICS hosts the discussion of global supply chains and growth in the composites sector. To register for this free-to-attend exhibition, please visit the International Composites Summit website: www.internationalcompositessummit.com

The Future Composites Manufacturing Research Hub is a £10.3m investment by the EPSRC to engage academics from across the UK to deliver a step-change in the production of polymer matrix composites. 

The Hub is led by the University of Nottingham and the University of Bristol and includes 13 other Spokes: Brunel University London, Cranfield University, Imperial College London, Ulster University, University of Bath, University of Cambridge, University of Edinburgh, University of Glasgow, University of Manchester, University of Sheffield, University of Southampton, University of Warwick, and Wrexham Glyndŵr University. 

The Hub is supported by 4 High Value Manufacturing Catapult Centres and backed by 18 leading companies from the composites sector, offering a further £12.7m in additional support.