Research

We develop new technologies that will make the composites industry even more economically competitive and environmentally responsible, with the intention of developing highly applied technologies that we can help take to market. Our development activities therefore focus on 3 main areas:

• Naturally-derived resins and fibres
• Clay-based nanocomposites
• Self-reinforced plastics

Naturally-Derived Materials

Natex
Natex will develop aligned textiles from natural fibres for use as high strength reinforcments to produce structural composite parts using bio and oil-based thermoplastic and thermoset resins.
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BioStruct
BioStruct is developing the next generation of advanced wood-based composites that can be used in demanding, high-value technical applications.
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Combine
The Combine project aims to develop high performance bio-derived composites for structural applications by using innovative combinations of natural fibres and bio-plastics.
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Biocomp
New Classes of Engineering Composite Materials from Renewable Resources
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BioCompass
Sustainability assessment to overcome barriers to renewable construction              
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Nanocomposites

Pronacom
A Fundamental Study of the Processing-Structure-Properties of Nanocomposites for Industrial Application
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SureFire
Next Generation Fire-Resistant Lightweight Structural Materials
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Polyfire
The Polyfire project will develop and scale-up techniques for processing halogen-free flame retardant nanocomposite materials and coatings based on unsaturated polyester resins and nanoclays.
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Self-Reinforced Plastics

Esprit
The Esprit project is centred on developing Self-Reinforced Plastics (SRPs) into new areas of processing and performance. 
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FuturePlas
The FuturePlas project aims to reduce the weight and improve the performance of plastic components by developing of the next generation of lightweight, high strength, recyclable polymers.
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Recycle
Research and Development of PP Fibre-reinforced Thermoplastic Composite Materials, Processing Techniques and Applications
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SmartPress 2
This Grant for R&D Development Project, ‘SmartPress2’, followed the successful conclusion of the Grant for R&D Research Project ‘SmartPress’ project in 2005.  That project had proved the feasibility of moulding simple shapes from single polymer composites.
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Other Technologies

We are also involved in projects covering other composite technologies from time to time:

CurvedNFR
Development of Curved Non-Ferrous Reinforcement for Concrete Applications
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