Pictured above: (l to r):  Mark Pharoah (Warwick Manufacturing Group), Marc Effenberger (Airbus UK), Ivan Buckley (Advantage West Midlands), Paul Smallman (JCB), Mike Jenkins (University of Birmingham), and Roger Wise (The Welding Institute).

A cluster of excellence to develop and sell world class thermoplastic composite parts is to be created in the West Midlands.

The Advanced Composites Development project (ADCOMP) will establish new and optimal processes for the efficient and rapid formation of high performance thermoplastic composites, such as those used in aerospace components like tails, wings and fuselages.

The £400,000 project is supported by £200,000 investment from regional development agency Advantage West Midlands, which is also leading on the project, and £200,000 from industry and the National Composites Network (NCN).

ADCOMP will target the aerospace and transport sectors as a priority while also focusing on the construction, rail and medical industries.

Businesses, including JCB and Airbus UK, and representatives from Warwick Manufacturing Group and the University of Birmingham came together at an event organised by NCN in Cosford, Wolverhampton, to further promote the project.

Ivan Buckley, Advanced Materials Strategy Manager at Advantage West Midlands, said: "The UK already has an impressive global reputation for innovation and research in composite materials as well as high skills and quality based manufacturing.

"The increase in demand for thermoplastic components represents a real opportunity for the region. Global growth in the use of thermoplastic composites in aerospace and other transport sectors is increasing by five per cent each year so there is a real need to develop affordable and rapid forming methods to maximise the market potential.

"The ADCOMP project will help develop the West Midlands as an international competitor in advanced materials by both developing the supply chain and raising awareness of potential business growth - particularly in those companies currently engaged in the manufacture of plastic components or composite moulds.

"Companies will also be able to obtain support and advice, which will help grow the cluster, further develop existing capabilities, and focus future infrastructure investment on capability gaps defined by industry.

"Innovation is vital to driving forward the West Midlands economy. This is an exciting project and an important part of a wider programme of activity that will help to develop the region's reputation as a centre of excellence in advanced materials and manufacturing."

ADCOMP is one of three advanced materials demonstrator projects funded by Advantage West Midlands to support a key recommendation of the West Midlands Advanced Materials Strategy, to focus on structural composite materials and the creation of advanced materials centres of excellence. The demonstrators, being developed over two years, will form the basis for further investment to develop and enhance the region's position in advanced materials.

The outcome of the demonstrator work, information on state-of-the-art technology and best practice guides will be promoted to a wide audience in the region and on the National Composites Network (NCN) website.

Alongside local training seminars and workshops, this activity will identify companies with the capacity to diversify into new products and markets.

A parallel technology transfer programme provided by NCN will allow specific company needs and ambitions to be understood and provided.