A new space manufacturing facility that is expected to create 2,000 jobs has opened in Hardwicke, Gloucester, marking a major milestone for the UK’s space industry capabilities.
The Advanced Composites Manufacturing Enterprise (ACMA), led by iCOMAT, a spin-out company from the University of Bristol, received £4.8m funding from the UK Space Agency’s Space Clusters Infrastructure Fund (SCIF) to establish this world-class production facility.
Space Minister Liz Lloyd said: “The opening of this manufacturing facility is a win for British ingenuity and testament to our commitment to backing our homegrown space sector. The innovative technology developed here will support everything from our thriving satellite industry to future deep space missions.”
Dr Evangelos Zympeloudis, CEO and Founder of iCOMAT, said: “We are immensely grateful for the investment from the UK Space Agency, which has been pivotal in establishing this world-class facility. By leveraging our expertise in advanced materials, we are creating opportunities for the space industry to develop more efficient, sustainable vehicles, whilst creating a domestic supply chain and strengthening the UK’s competitive position in the global market.
“Our team is excited to be fully operational, engaging with the UK space industry and beyond, driven by iCOMAT’s unique patented technology.”
The new 45,000 sq.ft facility represents a leap forward in composite materials manufacturing for space applications. iCOMAT’s innovative Rapid Tow Shearing (RTS) technology enables production of structures that are significantly lighter and more cost-effective than traditional manufacturing processes, addressing critical industry demands for weight reduction in spacecraft and satellites.
Work on the facility started in 2023 and has seen a total investment of £8.2m, including £4.8m SCIF funding and £3.3m match funding. iCOMAT has also received more than £800,000 of funding through the UK Space Agency’s membership of the European Space Agency’s General Support Technology Programme (GSTP).