EDITORIAL ROUNDUP

Major award for CEAMS

The Centre of Expertise in Advanced Materials and Sustainability (CEAMS) has won the ‘Sustainability – Circularity’ accolade at the 2025 Composites UK Industry Awards, recognising a milestone in composite recycling and a step towards fully circular composite materials and more resilient, lower-carbon UK supply chains. The project showed that recycled continuous carbon fibre (rCCF) can be re-used to make structural components, with comparable processability and strength. Trials included weaving, braiding, filament winding and tailored fibre placement – using up to 100% recycled content. 

More information www.ceams.org.uk

Ardian buys stake in JPB

JPB Système, a French industrial player specialising in the design of self-locking fastening solutions for aircraft engines, has welcomed global private investment firm Ardian as a minority shareholder. Founded in 1995, JPB Système has established itself as a strategic partner to major global engine manufacturers (including Pratt & Whitney, Safran, GE and Rolls-Royce) thanks to its portfolio of patented products, industrial prowess and capacity for innovation. The group, headquartered in Seine et Marne, generates over 90% of its revenue internationally and employs nearly 200 people.

More information www.jpb-systeme.com

Cheaper electricity to save firms £420m a year

Around 500 of the UK’s most energy-intensive businesses, including those in the steel sector, are set to save up to £420m per year on their electricity bills from next April as the Government takes action to slash industrial energy costs. The support, which is being delivered at no extra cost to taxpayers, fulfils a crucial promise in the UK’s modern Industrial Strategy launched in June. It comes on top of the Government’s British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme (also announced in the Industrial Strategy) that will slash energy costs by 25% for over 7000 businesses from 2027 in sectors like aerospace and automotive.

More information www.gov.uk

Eco-composites power supercar down under

BAMD Composites, a specialist in advanced and sustainable composite manufacturing, has been selected by Toyota Gazoo Racing Australia to supply a full suite of eco-composite body panels for the all-new Toyota GR Supra Supercar, set to debut in the 2026 Australian Supercars Championship. Designed, tooled and manufactured entirely at BAMD’s high-tech Oxfordshire facility, the project showcases the company’s end-to-end capability – from early design optimisation and tooling through to final manufacture and global delivery – all completed within just 12 weeks from concept to race-ready eco-composite body panels.

More information www.bamd.co.uk

CMZ UK Tech Centre Site to Span 4 Acres

Spain-headquartered lathe builder CMZ has taken a decisive step in its growth strategy with the recent acquisition of a site spanning over 4 acres (16,000 m²) on which it will build its new UK technology centre. Located in Coventry, the company’s future UK headquarters will open its doors within 1-2 years, marking a milestone in its international expansion.

The tech centre will feature sales offices, a showroom with CMZ lathes and an applications engineering area dedicated to providing direct support to UK customers. CMZ’s existing UK sales and aftersales team will expand and relocate to the Coventry facility, which will be located adjacent to the A45 and within the West Midlands Investment Zone. The development marks a turning point in the 15-year history of CMZ’s UK subsidiary.More information www.cmz.com