Bringing together the best minds and best technologies to solve the world's most complex engineering challenges.
"We are industy's leading research and development partner. When companies need to make things lighter, stronger, smarter and more sustainable, they come to the NCC" - Richard Oldfield, Chief Executive
The National Composites Centre (NCC) is an independent, open-access technology centre delivering world-class research and development of composites. As part of the UK’s Catapult innovation network, we offer our partners access to the latest technology, provide technical expertise and the business support they need to overcome barriers to innovation and accelerate their growth.
Sustainability is a critical element to our work, as well as a global priority with a huge drive for change. Today, composites already support the drive to a carbon neutral future through:
However, we know we need to do more and alongside the CPI, we lead the Sustainable Composites partnership. Together our aim is to accelerate the development of net zero impact composites, processes and technologies, bringing together the UK’s composites expertise to quickly turn research breakthroughs into industrial applications.
The need to embrace digital transformation to remain competitive and profitable has never been stronger. The challenge is how to harness digital technology to fuel innovation and agility, create new business models and stimulate growth.
We help organisations to identify and build the capabilities that they need to advance transformation within their own and customer organisations. We work with them to develop, demonstrate and adopt digital capabilities that enable them to move forward in their engineering transformation journey.
We offer access to a range of virtual and physical test beds that help organisations to test quick-fire projects and early stage technologies in a secure, industry-like environment with expert support and skills. Access to our industrial test beds can be initiated through a number of routes; direct funding, collaborative or academic research through to industry funded initiatives.
We collaborate and deliver a range of digital engineering programmes including Digital Engineering Technology & Innovation (DETI), 5G-Encode, Smart Factory Innovation Hub, that showcase world class digital engineering practice and concepts on industrial scale test beds.
More than £250m has been invested in our capabilities, which can be trialled on a pay as you play basis, with our expert support. Ten world-leading automated composite manufacturing capabilities have been installed in the past 18 months and include;
At the National Composites Centre we’re building the future of composites - when industry wants to advance they come to us. So it’s only right that we attract great people and provide remarkable opportunities.
Our people are our most valuable asset. We’re home to some of the brightest and most inspiring minds in this field, working alongside a diversity of amazing customers to make the future of composites manufacturing a reality.
To help us solve some of the world's biggest engineering challenges, we want to foster a diverse innovation environment, where everyone is respected, valued, and recognised for their unique contribution.
Gender equality
Gender is just one element of diversity, but one that needs particular focus in the engineering industry. We’re committed to challenging ourselves to ensure the NCC keeps narrowing the gender pay gap, and becomes truly equal organisation.
Inclusivity in Innovation Charter
We’re proud to have signed the Catapult Network’s Inclusivity in Innovation Charter, recognising that equality, diversity and inclusion leads to better decisions, better innovation and makes our working life more rewarding and more productive.
Employee wellbeing
We’re passionate about developing an inclusive culture, where everyone can be their true selves. Each year we take part in a variety of wellbeing celebrations and awareness campaigns. We also host a number of talks for employees covering topics such as neurodiversity, mental health awareness, wellbeing and disability support and awareness.