ATI launches composites framework for growth to secure the UK's competitive advantage

The Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) has today published a framework for growth setting out how the UK can secure an increased share of an aerospace composites market which is forecast to grow from £726 million in 2022 to more than £4.5 billion by 2050.

While around half of the structural weight of aircraft such as the Boeing 787 and Airbus A350 is manufactured from composites, the next generation of ultra-efficient aircraft are expected to feature higher proportions of composites materials across wings, engines and systems - historic national strengths for the UK. Securing this work in the UK requires demonstration of integrated, certifiable and scalable industrial systems by the end of the decade that can design, manufacture, qualify and deliver high-value composite products at unprecedented rates.

Launched at Farnborough International Airshow today, A Framework for Growth: Securing the UK's Composites Advantage identifies priority actions that will build a resilient, globally competitive composites sector in the UK, securing future aerospace workshare for UK companies, attracting inward investment, deepening domestic supply chains and protecting critical sovereign capabilities.

Jacqueline Castle, Chief Technology Officer, ATI said: "Composites are key to delivering the ambitious economic and environmental aims set out in the national aerospace technology strategy, Engineering Growth. This framework for growth will ensure the sector is ready to capitalise on the opportunity presented by a new generation of aircraft with technologies demonstrating they are capable of meeting rate, cost and quality requirements."

This framework was developed with input from the ATI Composites Working Group which is formed of representatives across the sector who are invested in developing the national composites capability. Developing this capability will not only position the sector for new work, but will also support the successful delivery of major programmes such as Airbus' Wing of Tomorrow, Rolls-Royce's UltraFan programme, GKN Aerospace's ASCEND project, NCC HRMCap, the University of Sheffield AMRC's COMPASS initiative and Datum Tool Design's LATCAP project.

Alan Newby, Director of Research & Technology, Rolls-Royce said: "At Rolls-Royce, we recognise the vital role that advanced composites technologies will play in the future of aerospace. Technologies like this are critical in enabling advanced products such as the UltraFan to secure new market opportunities such as the next generation single-aisle, which in turn will drive significant economic growth for the UK. The ATI Composites 'Framework for Growth' is an important step in strengthening UK capabilities, accelerating innovation and supporting a resilient, competitive supply chain."

James Trevarthen, Principal Engineer – Composites at Dowty, a GE Aerospace company, said: "Composite technology is central to both Dowty's current products and the next generation of aerospace solutions. For more than 40 years, Dowty has been at the forefront of composite innovation in aerospace, leveraging the durability and aerodynamic performance these materials make possible. It has been encouraging to see industry partners, including Dowty, come together in the Composite Working Group to build a shared vision, help align technology funding and research and development efforts, and accelerate the delivery of impactful technology solutions for UK industry."

Richard Oldfield, CEO, NCC said: "The transition to next generation, ultra-efficient aircraft represents a major opportunity that the UK must seise. By focusing our world-class composites expertise on the technologies that matter most, we can strengthen the UK's global leadership in advanced aerospace engineering. We're proud to have helped shape a framework that gives industry a clear, shared direction for the years ahead."

Background

Strategic technology development programmes, such as the ATI Programme, play a pivotal role in de-risking innovation and accelerating the transition from research to industrial deployment. This supports the UK Government's Modern Industrial Strategy, which seeks to strengthen high-value manufacturing, accelerate innovation, and build resilient, competitive supply chains.

Since 2014, the ATI Programme has invested more than £4.2 billion of joint government and industry funding in aerospace research and technology development, including more than £900 million supporting composites-related technologies and capabilities.