Surface Generation has completed a new R&D facility at its headquarters in Rutland (www.surface-generation.com).

The new PtFS Innovation and Application Centre — officially opened by local MP Sir Alan Duncan — is home to a ‘state of the art’ workshop and research laboratory that will be used to develop advanced composite processing technologies and automated production techniques for Surface Generation’s clients, which include some well-known automotive, aerospace and consumer electronics manufacturers.

The new facility will also be used to experiment with new technologies including graphene, 3-D printing and nano-composites.

Seven engineers and technicians will work at the facility initially, and Surface Generation plans to recruit 12 more people for its R&D team over the next two years.

Chief executive Ben Halford said: “The opening of this facility is a major milestone for Surface Generation. We already help major ‘blue chip’ organisations find new ways to manufacture composites, so that they can be stronger, lighter and more efficient.

This new facility provides the environment we need to expand that work and apply our processes to larger and more-complex components.”

According to market research group Lucintel, the global advanced composite material market is expected to grow by more than 8% a year over the next five years, reaching an estimated $5.2 billion by 2022.

It says that the increasing demand for lightweight materials in the aerospace and automotive industries is a major driver of growth in this market.

Surface Generation has developed PtFS, a patented advanced manufacturing process that enables manufacturers using compression and injection moulding to adjust the heating and cooling levels in real time to meet the exact requirements of each part.

It is used by companies around the world to improve component production quality and throughput.