National Composites Centre joins new digital series to explore advances in sustainable materials

The National Composites Centre (NCC, Bristol, U.K.) announces that it is taking part in a new digital series, Material Change: Resourcing Net Zero, which is exploring expertise and advances throughout the materials cycle to address the climate crisis, achieve net-zero targets and accelerate the circular economy.

Launched at an event with senior policymakers in London in October 2022, the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3) led series features commentary from a range of industry experts and stories from organizations who are driving innovation across exploration and extraction, processing and application, recycling, and repurposing and reuse. The NCC is one of a number of content partners involved in the campaign and is highlighting the vital role that composite materials play in the U.K.’s economic and sustainability ambitions.

“As the world-leading authority in advanced composites, we have a proven track record in helping companies of all sizes across the U.K. to innovate in composites development,” Kevin Mee, head of chief engineering at the NCC, says. “Composite materials are a disruptive technology that are crucial in our transition to net zero. The National Composites Centre’s focus on high-performance composites, with the underpinning development around sustainable, bio-derived materials, digital technologies and hydrogen provides a great vehicle to create new jobs and expertise, maintaining the U.K.’s leadership position for a sustainable future.”

The NCC, part of the UK’s High Value Manufacturing Catapult, works with more than 200 SMEs every year who are looking to innovate and scale up their products, giving them access to world-class technologies and expert composites engineers.

This year, the company worked with ARC Marine, a small business based in Torquay, U.K., that develops nature-based solutions for the marine environment. ARC Marine needed a sustainable alternative to the plastic ropes it uses to secure its carbon-neutral marine matts that hold subsea pipes and cables on the seabed.

The NCC’s team of specialist engineers helped created a composite rope made entirely from natural and low-carbon minerals and fibers that can not only withstand the harsh sea environment but is kinder to marine wildlife — and could lead to a CO₂ reduction of up to 88% when compared to a standard polypropylene (PP) rope, the company notes. The project is featured in the Material Change campaign as an example of the work undertaken with the U.K. industry that is driving the journey to a sustainable future.

“With each traditional mattress deployed, there’s an average of 140 meters of plastic rope that enters the ocean with it,” Tom Birbeck, co-founder and CEO of ARC Marine, says. “Marine plastics damage our seas by harming numerous sea creatures, including fish, cetaceans, turtles, seabirds, coral and even humans. Our plastic-free rope will undoubtedly change the face of the industry by preventing tonnes of plastic from entering the sea whilst enhancing marine ecosystems. That’s why we’re proud to have worked with the NCC to create it — they’ve been instrumental in developing and refining the design.”

More about the ARC Marine can be found here.