The National Composites Centre (NCC) has supported the drafting of the “2016 UK Composites Strategy”, which has been published recently by Composites Leadership Forum (CLF). The key goal of this strategy is to capture global demand and deliver UK growth through multi-sector applications of composites. Consultation with the UK supply chain indicated a potential composites product market growth opportunity from its current £2.3bn to £20bn by 2030. The strategy recommended primary and continued research in composites technology, supply chain development, skills and training, regulation codes and standards, sustainability. The composites strategy requires the UK to maintain its excellence in Aerospace, Defence and Marine sectors; develop Automotive and Renewable sectors and diversify into Rail ustock, Construction and Oil and Gas sectors. The delivery of the strategy would require supports from the funding bodies and resources provided by the universities, the NCC and High Value Manufacturing Catapult and other composites centres.

Current research activities of the NCC were guided by the previous version of the CLF strategy, while the future ones will be aligned to the 2016 strategy. The presentation will include a selection of example research projects’ description.