These include SMEs and OEMs, ranging from manufacturers, material/equipment suppliers, designers, consultants, engineers, end-users to academia among others.
The Association has seen a steady 20% per annum rise in membership since 2013, and in the past two months companies joining have included Penso, AM Structures, Technical Composite Systems, Advanced Aerospace Assembly, DK Fibreglass Works, BAMD, MODE, Dymag and Talga Technologies.
Sue Halliwell, operations manager at Composites UK said: “Composites UK has achieved this growth because the industry sees us delivering on key initiatives to support their long-term business goals. Just recently we announced that Composites UK had become the tenth national association to join the European Composites Industry Association (EuCIA), in part to ensure our members have a strong influence on legislative decisions which will affect them post-Brexit. This came after consulting our members for their views and putting their thoughts in action.”
Going forward the Association has a busy year ahead with several events such as the Renewables Sector Showcase, regional events in the South West, Northern Ireland and Yorkshire, as well as the 2018 Industry Awards Dinner on 31st October which has sold more than 150 seats already.
The Construction Sector Sub-Group will publish a Guidance document for FRP Bridge Designers, which will enable those specifying materials for use in bridges to have a better understanding of composite materials, standards and more.
Recently, Composites UK launched a new three-year health and safety action plan which delivers key targets set out by HSE in its 2018-21 SiMPLC strategy. The Association is also working closely with BSI to ensure appropriate composite representation across UK standards committees.
The Sustainability Subgroup, which launched in October 2017 is progressing several areas. A study with Scott Bader assessing disposal options for composite waste is nearing completion, and funding has been applied for to carry out its recommendations. Working with the National Composites Centre, the group is striving towards developing Life Cycle Assessment capability, data and methodology with global partners in Europe, USA and elsewhere.
In addition, Composites UK supports the Composites Leadership Forum to deliver the UK composites strategy which was launched in 2016. Insights into key outcomes, projects and initiatives will be presented during the conference forum programme at the Advanced Engineering Show later this year.
