The Composites UK GRP Composites Working Group recently met at Filon Products Ltd, bringing together industry leaders from across the composites supply chain to discuss opportunities to expand the use of glass-reinforced polymer (GRP) products and unlock further growth for the UK composites industry.
The group received a tour of Filon’s manufacturing facility, providing members with a valuable insight into its production processes and helping to build a greater understanding of the capabilities and challenges across the GRP Composites sector.
Discussions focused on opportunities for GRP products across a range of applications, with particular interest in defence and affordable drone technologies, where lightweight, durable and cost-effective composite solutions could play an important role.
A key theme was the importance of skills and people in unlocking UK growth. The UK composites industry has significant potential, but skills shortages remain a major barrier to increasing capacity and developing new markets. The skills gap is estimated to be costing the UK economy around £5 billion a year.
The group also discussed waste reduction, recycling and ESG, recognising the need to continue improving manufacturing practices while demonstrating the role composites can play in supporting more sustainable solutions.
Skills development was further explored through a presentation on good practice in providing work experience and how to engage with National Manufacturing Day. The session highlighted the value of sharing examples and practical approaches across the industry, helping companies to learn from one another and strengthen the opportunities available to young people considering careers in composites.
David Bailey, CEO at Composites UK, said: “Working Groups such as this are an important part of bringing the industry together to look at where the opportunities really are and what is needed to unlock them. GRP has significant potential across a wide range of applications, including emerging defence technologies, but we need the skills, capability and supply chain to turn that potential into UK growth. We need to inspire the next generation to join our industry, while showing other sectors where composites could deliver solutions they may not yet have considered.”
Discussions also generated strong support for exploring a wider campaign for composites with two complementary aims: inspiring the next generation of people to consider careers in composites, while also raising awareness among sectors and industries where composites are currently under-used or where their potential is not fully understood.
The meeting highlighted the value of bringing the composites supply chain together to share practical experience, identify new growth opportunities and address common industry challenges. Combining a factory visit with knowledge sharing and strategic discussion provided a valuable opportunity for the group to learn from each other and explore areas for future collaboration.
Composites UK would like to thank Filon Products for hosting the group and for sharing its facilities, expertise and experience.