Public Funding for Cytec Engineered Materials Limited

Propound 2 is a UK project based on the technology of out- of-autoclave composite fabrication that intends to tackle recurrent time consuming operations by implementing innovative approaches on preforming, infusion and inspection steps. The objective of the project is to reduce significantly the recurring cost to guarantee a competitive price of nacelle components

CTG was first to market with composite shafts and fuel pipes. No composite manufacturer has been able to replicate CTG's success; high volume production, high quality with high customer satisfaction. The NGT WPs are the natural evolution to enable CTG to develop new manufacturing techniques to enable higher volume and lower cost manufacture in the UK, vital to secure work on new aircraft programmes. This includes the development of future state shafts which are lighter and more cost efficient than anything in the market place. CTG together with partners, will continue to lead the next generation of transmission shafts technology.

There is a pressing need to meet net-zero emissions regulations and targets, as road and urban air mobility transport moves rapidly to adopt electric powertrains by 2030\. This requires vehicles manufactures to target mass reduction and increased power density at every opportunity to achieve vehicle performance and range. The rapid shift to electric vehicles has used metal battery enclosures as a 'known quantity' for a safety-critical areas in the first generation vehicle platforms in production today. In these vehicles composites are also in use to address both structural and weight advantages. State-of-the-art battery enclosures have yet to make use of full-composite design with none being manufactured or tested to the degree required to give vehicle manufactures confidence for volume use. The BEMA project seeks to deliver these improvements in battery packs by tackling the twinned outcomes of i) using an alternative material technology in ii) a fully automated environment optimised to produce an enclosure which is optimised to give the maximum energy capacity from the available volume. In response to these challenges, Solvay and Airborne are collaborating to bring the benefit of material design and automation developments to the next generation of battery packs. By tackling the twinned outcomes of using lightweight material technology and fully automated production systems, BEMA will produce an alternative to metallic battery enclosures.

ASCEND is an industry led, cross-sector consortium brought together by GKN Aerospace, focussed on developing & accelerating UK composites capability to meet the requirement of single aisle, business jets & future mobility markets. ASCEND will develop the UK value chain in readiness for a step-change in use of lightweight structures, at high-rates. ASCEND brings new entrants, established small, high-growth & Tier-1 partners together to collaborate on delivering flexible automated capability. Connecting best in-class of talent, experience, & market access in one programme. ASCEND delivers UK capability for advanced, lightweight structures to meet demand in electric & hybrid propulsion aerospace structures.

Propound 2 is a UK project based on the technology of out-of-autoclave composite fabrication that intends to tackle recurrent time consuming operations by implementing innovative approaches on pre-forming, resin infusion and subsequent inspection steps. The objective of the project is to reduce significantly the recurring cost and manufacturing lead time to guarantee a competitive price of nacelle components.

To implement novel molecular modelling in the design of specialty resins for use in fibre reinforced polymer composites.

The VARCITY project delivers new vehicle body architectures for the premium city car of 2020 which will utilise the structural performance and weight advantanges of advanced Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastic based composites whilst delivering a sustainable and economically viable proposition for volume production. The project targets a series of technology developments and innovations that currently prohibit wide-scale, volume implementation of CFRP based composites for vehicle body construction. A major goal of the project is the establishment of leading UK supply chain comprising the core industry partners. VARCITY drives the technical capability development of this fully integrated supply chain and will deliver major commercial benefits for wider market opportunities. Furthermore, the project also acts as a catalyst to stimulate the science, engineering and technology base to support the C02 and sustainability challenges facing the UK's automotive industry.

To implement novel protocol for measurement of mechanical toughness of polymer resins in characterising the toughness of fibre reinforced polymer composites.

The main goals of this project were a) to identify, source and make ready for evaluation a range of technologies for advanced wood protection b) to evaluate the identified technologies in woodcare products c) to identify the preferred technology for effective use in woodcare products d) to quantify the environmental benefits of the use of these technologies e) to deliver a preliminary economic evaluation of these technologies in woodcare products The project made good progress towards the technical objectives. The economic evaluation of the prefered technology was not sufficiently favourable to catalyse implementation. Further work is planned beyond the end of the project to assess opportunities to deliver a more favourable economic position.

Awaiting Public Summary