The UK Government will build a National Composites Centre (NCC) at Bristol, to be led by university and industry partners Airbus, GKN, Rolls-Royce and Vestas.

The centre will form an international hub, linking activities across all sectors of the UK in research, education and training, technology transfer and incubation of new enterprises.

The NCC will aid in development of a low-carbon economy and will help deliver innovation in the design and rapid manufacture of composites along with scope for widespread industrial exploitation.

The 6,000m2 facility will house workshop spaces, open-plan offices, meeting rooms and teaching facilities.

The centre will receive £32m investment from various UK state agencies including the South West Regional Development Agency which will also oversee its construction.

The NCC will become operational by April 2011.