A Derby composites firm has been shortlisted for a national net zero award, thanks to its pioneering work to find a more sustainable composite manufacturing process. Composite Braiding Ltd, based in the iHub at Infinity Park, is in the running for the ‘Sustainability Award | Net-Zero Initiative’ from Composites UK: the trade association for the UK composites industry.
Last year the company scooped the ‘Innovation in Composite Materials’ category at the same awards, for its work developing lightweight, antimicrobial grab poles for use in public transport. This year it’s been shortlisted for devising a lower carbon manufacturing process for structural composites, which also enables higher production volumes and lower costs. The initiative was part funded by an Innovate UK loan.
Managing Director, Steve Barbour commented, “We’re very pleased to have been shortlisted for another Composites UK award this year, particularly as this one recognises composites solutions that contribute significantly to decarbonisation efforts — and this is the key challenge facing our world right now.”
The firm has developed a manufacturing process that reduces energy consumption by up to 99%, compared to traditional processes, and uses tooling that’s 50% lighter and made from less material. The process even reduces consumable waste.
On top of the decarbonisation benefits, the team’s new process and tooling means they can produce composite parts in minutes instead of hours, enabling them to increase volumes and reduce costs.
“This is a game-changing capability,” explains Steve. “If this process is adopted by multiple users, which is our aim, it will help deliver decarbonisation at scale. We are already talking to third parties about broadening the awareness and availability of our capabilities to multiple sectors.”
Composite Braiding will find out if it’s won the net zero award at a ceremony in Birmingham on 2 November.
