UK's new carbon-fibre development lines complete design phase

The lines will equip industry with a manufacturing testbed for more sustainable carbon fibres, boost supply chain resilience and de-risk investments.

Carbon fibre is important in the transition to net zero. Global demand for the material is forecast to increase 18% by 2030, outstripping supply by as much as 200kt.

The development lines will be built and tested in late 2025 at National Composites Centre (NCC). The facility will include a spinning line to produce precursor fibres and a carbonisation line to produce carbon fibre tows, including surface treatment.

NCC has partnered with Cygnet Texkimp to lead the design and build of the two lines, which will produce tows with industrial-scale filament counts and in volumes sufficient for small-part manufacturing and testing.

The lines are funded by the Department of Science Innovation and Technology’s Research and Innovation Organisations Infrastructure Fund. 

Watch the 3D animation below.