The Northwest Composites Centre was established by the Universities of Bolton, Lancaster, Liverpool and Manchester to create a centre of international scientific reputation to the benefit of industry.

High strength composites have gained great acceptance in areas where their lightweight and exceptional strength outweigh cost issues, for example in the aerospace sector. Now, improvements in materials and labour-intensive manufacturing processes mean composites can be used economically in a growing number of applications and industries.

These include:-

• Automotive
• Marine
  
• Rail
• Construction
  
• Wind energy
  
• Medical
  
• Appliances
  
• Corrosion resistant products

Accessing 60 academics and State of the Art equipment and facilities, The Northwest Composites Centre provides the following benefits:-

• A research centre offering new, low energy, rapid manufacturing techniques for industry and academia
• Long term research projects aimed at improving company performance
• Short term evaluation of processes and materials