Who Can Help Me with My Composites R&D? | Composite Integration

Composite Integration's R&D Director Tim Searle - Can Help Me with My Composites R&D
  • July 23, 2025

Developing world-class composite parts is never just about materials, it's about solving complex design, process, and manufacturing challenges with precision. At Composite Integration, we partner with engineers and innovators across aerospace, wind energy, marine, defence automotive and industrial sectors to turn composite concepts into production-ready solutions. 

We don’t just supply machines. We help you develop world-class composites. 

 

How We Help You Succeed 

Composite Integration combines hands-on engineering, real-world testing, and cutting-edge manufacturing equipment to support your composite development from concept through to production. Our in-house composites R&D facilities and engineering team provide: 

  • Tailored process development across RTM, VRTM, Vacuum Infusion and Direct Infusion 
     
  • Full-scale composite tooling design, manufacture and validation 
     
  • Material and process trials using our CIJECT resin infusion equipment 
     
  • Bespoke resin transfer moulding machines and resin injection machines with end-to-end data control 
     
  • HP-RTM solutions for high-volume, high-specification applications 
     
  • Consultancy to support sustainable manufacturing and reduce waste 
 

Our approach ensures your composite process is scalable, efficient and built for long-term success. 

 

Case Study: Collaborative R&D for a Scalable Aerospace Infusion Breakthrough 

Safran, a global leader in aerospace and defence, launched an Innovate UK-backed research project called Propound to explore whether resin infusion could replace autoclave pre-preg in aerospace manufacturing. 

They wanted to know: 

  • Can resin infusion match aerospace structural and safety standards? 
     
  • Can it reduce cost, waste and production time? 
 

Composite Integration joined the project alongside the University of Nottingham. We: 

  • Developed a resin infusion process for a fan cowl door, based on Safran’s pre-preg design 
  • Built a bespoke aerospace-grade infusion machine with full data monitoring 
  • Produced full-scale demonstrators for test and validation 
     

The results: 

  • Demonstrators matched structural specifications and were lighter than pre-preg equivalents 
  • A 25% reduction in production cost 
  • High fibre volume fractions with no detectable porosity 
  • Phase one results published in 2023, with phase two now underway to scale the process for wider adoption 

 

This project demonstrates how collaborative, equipment-led R&D delivers measurable innovation. 

 

Sectors We Support With Our Composites R&D Services 

We help organisations across key industries to develop and optimise composite manufacturing methods: 

  • Aerospace: Infusion of lightweight, high-precision structures 
  • Wind energy: Large-scale blade infusion with minimal waste and maximum repeatability 
  • Marine: Efficient hull infusions with significantly reduced labour needs 
  • Defence: Robust HP-RTM processes for structural performance under pressure 
  • Industrial R&D: Development of cleaner, scalable, and sustainable composite solutions 
     

Whether you're exploring a new application or improving an existing process, our cross-sector expertise helps you deliver consistent, high-performance results. 

 

Working With the Right Composites R&D Partner

If you're asking “Who can help me with my composites R&D?”, the answer isn’t just about equipment. It’s about finding a partner with the expertise, facilities, and mindset to support innovation from idea to outcome. 

At Composite Integration, we help you develop world-class composites. 

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