GKN Aerospace has opened its latest Global Technology Centre (GTC) in Hoogeveen, as a part of f GKN Aerospace’s €80 million investment in the Netherlands. Its primary focus will be on advancing lightweight thermoplastic composites for the next generation of aircraft, while also leading an R&D electrification program in collaboration with GKN Fokker sites in both Hoogerheide and Papendrecht.
The GTC thermoplastics research programs aim to pioneer new lightweight composite materials and processes that enable scalable and high-volume production for the next generation of single-aisle aircraft, while also being cost-effective. Leveraging advanced thermoplastic composites enable weight reduction of at least 10% compared to traditional aircraft materials. In addition, thermoplastics carry superior production efficiency, excellent fire safety characteristics, and recyclability, and therefore present a sustainable and affordable solution for aircraft structural components.
John Pritchard, president Civil Airframe GKN Aerospace, said: "I am delighted that we have officially opened our GTC in Hoogeveen, which represents a significant investment and reaffirms our enduring commitment to the Netherlands. This centre will accelerate the adoption of lightweight and cost-effective thermoplastic aerostructures, further propelling aviation toward electrification, underscoring our unwavering commitment to sustainability.