Surface Transport | National Composites Centre

Composites are fundamental in the development of the next generation of zero emission vehicles. They play a crucial role in enabling motors to spin faster and be more efficient; for hydrogen to be stored safely; for ships to harness natural sources of energy; and for safe, comfortable and reliable travel for passengers. The NCC is working at the forefront of identifying, investigating and developing these innovations and technologies.

Solve tomorrow's challenges today. Book a consultation with the team.

Automotive

Maritime and Marine

Off Highway

Mass Movers

Our expertise

Composites solutions for hydrogen storage

Today, there is only one cost effective, technically viable and safe way to store hydrogen for mobility applications: composite pressure vessels that draw upon the high performance of fibres and toughness of matrix materials in a composite. The impact performance of composites, low mass and resistance to harsh environments makes composites more competitive than metallic alternatives. At the NCC, we are supporting the development of supply chains and technology for light, strong and durable energy storage solutions.

Find out more about our work in hydrogen

Sustainable composites for the road to net zero

Biomaterials and resins systems are one of the enablers in creating a cleaner path to net zero and in developing the next generation of carbon neutral and zero carbon vehicles. Materials that provide a means to recycle and reuse advanced composites will accelerate adoption and remove the pressure placed on our environment through landfill.

Find out more about our sustainability programmes

Digital transformation in surface transport

Digital transformation will enable companies to remain competitive and profitable. Digital engineering, new design tools and simulation will play a crucial role in the design and manufacture of high performance materials. We work with businesses to help them develop, demonstrate and adopt digital capabilities that enable them to move forward in their engineering transformation journey.

Find out how digital engineering can transform your products

The National Composites Centre's Surface Transport team are experts in composites design and manufacture specifically for transport applications. We will work with you to help you to unlock innovation and solve your business' challenges of tomorrow, today.

Book a free consultation with the team

Membership of the NCC

An NCC membership gives you access to 'beyond' state-of-the-art technology and the best composites engineering capabilities in the world, as well as expert advice from specialist engineers. We can help you solve the most complex engineering challenges of our time.

Find out more about our range of membership options

Case studies

Lightening the load: composites innovation for a cleaner, greener Ford Transit

The CHASSIS project set the challenge of reducing the weight of three suspension components in the iconic Ford Transit by 40%, equivalent to 27kg, whilst also meeting the cost, production rate and performance characteristics of existing components.

Sustainable, cost-effective composites alternative for innovative SME

The NCC has found a more sustainable, cost-effective alternative material for the subterranean pipes used by Magway, the innovative SME who develop ground-breaking sustainable transport solutions.

UK hydrogen fuel cell electric heavy-duty vehicle supply chain review

The NCC and Arcola Energy explored the supply chain opportunities for hydrogen fuel cell electric powertrains, which will play a significant role in the transition of heavy-duty vehicles to zero emissions.

Future proofing battery case design for electric vehicles

The NCC worked on the design and development of a novel battery casing to be integrated into the existing Aston Martin vehicle geometry, as part of the H1PERBAT programme.

Reducing weight and increasing production rates for automotive

The NCC delivered a composite control arm 20% lighter than its metal equivalent, in a manufacturing time of under 60 seconds, as part of the £4.3m collaborative research programme, Project Century.

Using natural fibres in composite car panels

The NCC and Suilven RDE Ltd, an automotive design SME worked together to explore the use of natural fibre composites in their car body panels. Project SALSA looked into the likely environmental savings that could be made, as well as the impact on the performance of the car.

Assessing sustainable composite materials for use in low-volume automotive applications

A follow-on project to assess composite material solutions that incorporate natural fibres and both bio-derived and biodegradable resin systems.

Major programmes

Read more about Project HyZEM

Project HyZEM

We're working with UK SME Steamology on the Hydrogen Zero Emission Maritime (HyZEM) project which will draw on our expertise in cryogenics and composites to accelerate the use of clean maritime technologies.
Read more about Project CAPSULE

Project CAPSULE

We're working with Teignbridge on Project CAPSULE to design the next generation of sustainable composite propulsion systems for marine transport.
Read more about Project HYSTOR

Project HYSTOR

We're working with Ultima Forma and Lentus Composites to develop a novel, high pressure hydrogen storage tank for use in HGV, bus and off highway applications.

News and Events

Marshall Arena, Milton Keynes
Read more about International Composites Summit 2024

International Composites Summit 2024

04 - 05 Sep 2024

Matt Scott, Chief Engineer for Capability and Vicky Summers, Principal Research Engineer for Sustainability will be presenting at the International Composites Summit (ICS). The event is considered the single place to do the most cost effective and sustainable composites business in the UK, bringing together industry leaders, researchers, and innovators from across the composites sector.
Case Study
Read more about INSPHERE’S IONA system delivers industry-leading accuracy in composite material deposition using the NCC Smart Factory Industrial Test Bed

INSPHERE’S IONA system delivers industry-leading accuracy in composite material deposition using the NCC Smart Factory Industrial Test Bed

10 Nov 2021

The National Composites Centre (NCC) selected INSPHERE to be a participant in the NCC Smart Factory Innovation Hub (SFIH) programme. Providing the company with access to its state-of-the art, secure 5G enabled virtual and physical test bed and sandpit environment, the NCC worked with Insphere to test its newly launched IONA System in the test bed which concentrates on the Automated Preforming Cell (APC).
Case Study
Read more about Project SILVIA: Assessing sustainable composite materials for use in low-volume automotive applications

Project SILVIA: Assessing sustainable composite materials for use in low-volume automotive applications

15 Dec 2021

Suilven RDE Ltd previously worked with the NCC under Project SALSA, to explore the environmental savings and impact on performance due to the use of natural fibre composites in their automotive body panels. Following this work and similar requests from Piper SV and Nedra, Suilven and the NCC wanted to take this a step further and assess composite material solutions that incorporate natural fibres and both bio-derived and biodegradable resin systems.

About the National Composites Centre

What we do

Composites for industry

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Skills & Training

Composites for Surface Transport