Hexcel Corporation has joined with Spirit AeroSystems Europe in a strategic collaboration at its Aerospace Innovation Centre (AIC) to develop more sustainable aircraft manufacturing technologies for future aircraft production.

Spirit AeroSystems Europe opened the new 90,000-square-foot innovation centre at its Prestwick, Scotland site in September 2021. The AIC has been established as a centre of excellence for the research and development of advanced materials, digital manufacturing technologies and processes, where Spirit Europe will collaborate with academic and industry partners including Hexcel to innovate, train and develop skills for today and tomorrow. Headquartered in Wichita, Kansas, Spirit has production facilities in the U.S., U.K., France, Malaysia, and Morocco.

Some of the collaborative activities at the AIC between Hexcel and Spirit Europe include the continued development of resin transfer molding (RTM) production applications that will showcase future opportunities for liquid composite molding (LCM) solutions. Hexcel HiTape, a high-performance dry unidirectional reinforcement optimized for fully automated lay-up, and HiMax multiaxial fabrics enable RTM manufacture of primary aerostructure components using HiFlow infusion resins.

Hexcel is proud to support Spirit Europe and its innovation centre as together, the two companies continue to innovate more reliable and more sustainable advanced lightweight composite materials that help reduce emissions and create more efficient aircraft today and for the years to come.