University of Bristol and the National Composite Centre make key strategic appointments to enable net zero future

The University of Bristol and the Bristol & Bath Science Park-based National Composite Centre are strengthening their partnership with the appointment of three leading figures from the composite materials sector, to help enable a net zero future for the UK.

Professor Ian Hamerton of the Bristol Composites Institute (BCI) in the Faculty of Engineering at the University has been appointed as NCC Chair in Sustainable Polymers and Composites, and from the NCC, Dr Enrique Garcia, Chief Technology Officer, and Dr Tim Young, Head of Sustainability, have been made Visiting Industrial Professors for the BCI.

Bringing a combined experience of over 60-years in the development of composite materials, the trio will work closely to further strengthen the collaboration between the two institutions, delivering new joint initiatives across sustainability and digital engineering, including recycling of composites, sustainable composite material systems and processes, new material systems for hydrogen storage, and digital twinning covering the range from manufacturing processes to in-service and operations.

The solidifying of the relationship between the University and the NCC has also led to the establishment of new joint lectureships in the fields of Digital Manufacturing (Dr Jonathan Belnoue) and Sustainable Composites (Dr Karthik Ram Ramakrishnan), to complement the existing Chair in Composites Design and Manufacture, held by Professor Ole Thomsen, who is also Co-Director for BCI.

Commenting on the appointments, Professor Thomsen said: “These appointments allow the BCI and NCC to draw on a wealth of knowledge and expertise in the field of advanced composites materials to continue bringing new technologies and capabilities to UK industry.”

Dr. Garcia added: “Composite materials are fundamental to the enabling the ten-point plan set out by the UK Government for a net zero future. By combining the world-leading research and manufacturing expertise of the BCI and NCC, we will be able to facilitate the development of the future wind turbines, hydrogen storage vessels and more that will help achieve a net zero future.”