NCC | Composites and Engineering | National Composites Centre

About the NCC

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 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.

What we do

Aerospace

Defence & Space

Composites for Future Energy

Surface Transport

Supporting SMEs across sectors

Latest news

News

Space West Newsletter - May 2025

28 May 2025

Welcome to the May 2025 edition of our Space West Newsletter. With each newsletter, we aim to share the most recent discoveries, advancements, and stories from the world of Space in the South West.
Space West Newsletter - April 2025

29 Apr 2025

Welcome to the April 2025 edition of our Space West Newsletter. With each newsletter, we aim to share the most recent discoveries, advancements, and stories from the world of Space in the South West.
CEAMS secures further funding to advance sustainable materials innovation

08 Apr 2025

NCC is leading technology creation and supply chain development within the Centre of Expertise in Advanced Materials and Sustainability (CEAMS), a dynamic collaboration driving growth through sustainable materials innovation.
Space West Newsletter - March 2025

27 Mar 2025

Welcome to the March 2025 edition of our Space West Newsletter. With each newsletter, we aim to share the most recent discoveries, advancements, and stories from the world of Space in the South West.
Space West welcomes OHB Space’s decision to launch UK subsidiary

19 Mar 2025

Space West is delighted to welcome OHB Space’s decision to establish a new subsidiary in the UK. As one of Europe’s leading space technology groups this expansion is a major boost for the South West and strenghtens the UK’s growing space sector.

Events

Le Bourget Parc des Expositions (Le Bourget Airport)
Read more about Paris Airshow 2025

Paris Airshow 2025

16 - 22 Jun 2025

Becky Huffee, Space Cluster Manager, will be attending the Paris Airshow 2025 as part of the Invest Bristol Bath delegation. She’ll be on hand throughout the event to showcase the West of England’s thriving space sector and connect with international partners.
NCC, Bristol
Read more about Composites Technology Forum for UK Defence Event - High Temperature Applications in Defence Engineering

Composites Technology Forum for UK Defence Event - High Temperature Applications in Defence Engineering

17 Jun 2025

High-temperature advanced materials, including thermally stable polymer and ceramic matrix composites, play a crucial role in future defence engineering.
South Devon College
Read more about Innovate South West - Digital, AI, Sustainability and Skills

Innovate South West - Digital, AI, Sustainability and Skills

10 Jul 2025

The Innovate South West event from NCC and Plymouth Science Park will arm SMEs across the region with the knowledge and strategies to harness new opportunities.

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Training

Read more about Hydrogen Awareness Modules

Hydrogen Awareness Modules

The seven centres that make up the High Value Manufacturing Catapult (HVM Catapult) have come together to create 'Hydrogen awareness: make it; move it; use it’, a series of open access online modules for all manufacturing sectors.
Read more about Introduction to Design for Composites

Introduction to Design for Composites

This course will give you an understanding of the requirements that are important to consider in the composites world, along with a series of tools and techniques that will enable you to create robust concept designs for every new project you undertake.
Read more about Introduction to Composite Materials

Introduction to Composite Materials

In this foundation level course we'll introduce you to the terminology, the materials, their properties & the production processes used in the composites industry.