April 2025 – The UK’s world-leading Formula One (F1) industry has long drawn on advanced textile technologies, particularly in the realm of composite reinforcements. Now, the British Textile Machinery Association (BTMA) is highlighting the vital role its member companies play in powering F1 innovation and beyond.
Motorsport Valley – The Heart of High-Performance Engineering
“Seven of the ten global F1 teams are based within an hour of each other in the UK’s Motorsport Valley,” says Jason Kent, CEO of BTMA. “These teams are connected to a national ecosystem of over 4,500 high-performance engineering companies, a sector valued at £9 billion and employing 40,000 people. Many BTMA members contribute directly to this ecosystem.”
From bodywork and tyres to fuel systems, textiles are now integral to nearly every component of an F1 car—excluding only the engine.
Composite Innovation: From Track to Aerospace
Roaches International, a BTMA member known for textile testing systems, also supplies advanced autoclaves used in the composite industry. Their recent collaboration with Memento Exclusives, a company producing F1 show cars, showcases the role of textile tech in motorsport. These non-engine promotional cars closely replicate real race cars, and the Roaches autoclave enables precision production of their carbon fibre components.
“Autoclave experts are like master bakers,” says Richard Kirkbright of Roaches. “They know how to achieve flawless results by managing the transformation of composites under heat and pressure.”
McLaren’s Legacy & the Future of Composites
McLaren revolutionized F1 in 1981 by introducing the first carbon fibre chassis. Today, it continues to innovate with ART carbon fibre technology for its $2.1 million W1 hypercar, developed at the McLaren Composites Technology Centre. BTMA member Cygnet Texkimp contributed to this breakthrough via the UK’s £39.6 million ASCEND program.
Cygnet supplies creels, prepreg, coating, and filament winding machines vital to F1 and aerospace. They are now also leading sustainable carbon fibre research with NCC, and pioneering DEECOM® composite recycling through partner Longworth Sustainable Recycling Technologies.
“We’re committed to lightweighting, hydrogen power, and end-of-life recycling,” says Luke Vardy, CEO of Cygnet. “Our innovations enable real sustainability in fibre processing.”
Lithium-Sulphur Battery Development
New BTMA member Emerson & Renwick (E+R), a leader in coating and vacuum technologies, supplies prepreg systems crucial to F1 manufacturing. The company is also part of a UK consortium developing lithium-sulphur batteries, poised to revolutionize electric vehicles, starting with motorsport.
Research and Collaboration
BTMA is building strong ties with key UK research centers including:
- Sheffield University’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre
- Northwest Composites Centre
- National Centre for Motorsport Engineering
- National Composites Centre
BTMA also recently joined Composites UK as an associate member, cementing its role in supporting the next generation of textile innovation.
“This sector is the crucible of tomorrow’s textile technology,” concludes Jason Kent. “BTMA members are shaping the future of performance engineering.”