The National Composites Centre (NCC) has announced that the UK’s first open-access Carbon Fibre Development Facility will be established at Cygnet Texkimp’s Innovation Centre in Cheshire. The facility, backed by funding from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), will feature two digitally-enabled carbon fibre development lines.
This new capability, highlighted in the UK Government’s Industrial Strategy and Advanced Manufacturing Sector Plan, is regarded as a strategic asset. It is expected to foster innovation in advanced materials while further developing and industrialising carbon fibre manufacturing expertise within the UK.
The decision to situate the facility in the North West of England is the outcome of a longstanding partnership between NCC and Cygnet Texkimp, which has led the design and construction of the facility’s development lines. Businesses accessing the centre will benefit from the region’s strong chemical and materials ecosystem and collaborative opportunities with the West of England’s advanced engineering leadership, facilitated by the NCC.
Initial testing at the site is planned for Autumn 2025, with full-scale operations expected to begin in Spring 2026.
Luke Vardy, CEO, Cygnet Texkimp, said:
“We’re extremely pleased to continue our long-standing partnership with NCC and fulfil our long-term ambition to develop this capability within the UK. This facility directly complements our existing fibre processing and recycling capabilities, allowing us to showcase UK advanced materials innovation and manufacturing expertise across the product lifecycle. The opportunity to develop the next generation of British textile machinery and materials engineers in the North of England’s traditional textile manufacturing belt is also a very exciting and fitting prospect.”
Richard Oldfield, CEO, NCC, said:
“Our new Carbon Fibre Development Facility demonstrates NCC’s leadership in advanced material technologies, vital to accelerating the growth and competitiveness of the UK’s growth sectors. We’re delighted to continue our partnership with Cygnet Texkimp to develop this new manufacturing capability for carbon fibre, strategically located to facilitate collaborative partnerships and deliver industrial impact for the UK.”