The US company Hexcel (www.hexcel.com) has announced that it will be launching a new Government-backed £7.4 million research and development project called Maxim (multi-axial infused materials).

The company is also expanding its UK man-ufacturing facility in Leicester.

The four-year Maxim project, which is backed by the UK Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) and match-funded by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, aims to develop cost-effective materials and manufacturing solutions for large aerospace and automotive composite structures.

Business Minister Richard Harrington said: “Maxim is a welcome investment in the Midlands economy and the UK aerospace and automotive sectors, supporting the type of high-skill jobs we are committed to delivering through our Industrial Strategy.

“This project will build our expertise and reputation in this cutting-edge field, delivering world-leading research and development on the production of new composite materials for large structures.

“This will enable composite structures such as aircraft wings and car bodies to be manufactured faster, as well as in a ‘greener’ and more cost-effective manner.”

Most large composite aerospace parts are made from carbon fibre pre-preg, and converting this material into structural parts requires autoclaves. The Maxim project will explore the manufacture of new carbon-fibre fabric forms and resins that can be made into parts without using autoclaves.

Hexcel is expanding its Leicester plant by installing a machine for carbon non-crimp fabrics development and laboratory equipment for research into this technology.

The company will be working closely with the National Composites Centre.