A multi-million pound state of the art research centre specialising in the latest composite technology is to open in Bristol, it was announced this morning.

The centre is being backed by the leading aviation and engineering companies in the South West including Airbus, Rolls-Royce and GKN and the South West Regional Development Agency.

Composite technology is seen as key to the future development of aeroplane manufacture. The lightweight, super strong material is being used to build the next generation of aircraft at Airbus.

Talks are still underway over the exact location of the centre but £16 million worth of public money is being invested in the centre. Private firms including the leading players in the industry are also investing in the project.

The new National Composites Centre (NCC) is part of the Government's national strategy to back the aviation industry.

The aim is to open an independent national resource which will be a centre for world-class innovation in design and manufacture of composites.

The centre is being partly set up with £16 million from the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills and £4 million from SWRDA.

Bristol was chosen because the South West is a key area for aviation and composite technology. It is estimated that more than £450 million has already been spent on the industry in the region over the last six years.

The RDA will oversee the construction of a purpose-built 6,000 square metre centre which will include a research centre. offices, meeting rooms and classroom facilities. Bristol University is involved in the scheme along with Airbus, GKN, Rolls-Royce and Vestas. Talks are still taking place over the location but the plan is to have the centre open by April 2011.

Business Minister Ian Lucas said: "Today we've launched our strategy for composites in the UK, and the South West will play a vital role in this with the new National Composites Centre in Bristol. Government must help create the conditions to support long term growth as industry increasingly uses advanced composites in more durable, lightweight and higher-performance products; that's why we're investing £16m of public money in this Centre.

"The South West is already home to some of our leading companies exploiting the potential of these high-tech, super strength materials. We want to build on this to increase capacity across the country - the new national centre will be taking this forward. The skills, manufacturing and products developed through this centre are part of the high-end, low carbon manufacturing that will grow the UK's industrial strengths for the 21st century."

Jim Knight, Regional Minister for the South West said: "The University, in partnership with international partners, has already made great progress in the development of new industries and technologies in the region. For example the Composite Structures Development Centre which is part of National Composites Network based in Airbus at Filton has already developed cutting edge wing design for the international market.

"The region already has a high level skill base in the aerospace sector. By offering the workforce increased training, through in-company training and Train to Gain, we can achieve this exciting skills transfer through this new centre.

"I fully support the region's high aspirations for our low carbon economy and this new centre will go along way in developing and designing light materials across a number of key sectors. This includes green technologies and by bringing our universities and businesses together, the region will continue to be a pathfinder in developing new composite materials in the UK."

Professor Eric Thomas, Vice-Chancellor of Bristol University, said: "We are proud to be playing a central role in the establishment of a facility that will be of major significance to South West England and the UK as a whole. It will reinforce our already close links with industry and yield a range of academic, economic and practical benefits."

Ian Chatting, Vice President in Vestas, said: "Vestas have an established research partnership with Bristol University and the national composite centre will enable us to significantly extend these activities. Composite materials are critical for future wind power plants and this initiative will bring together leading organisations to develop world class capabilities in this area of technology."

Tom Williams, Executive Vice-President of Programmes for Airbus, said: "Airbus in the UK has been developing composite technology for wing structures over the last decade, which has enabled Airbus to manufacture composite wings for the A400M and A350 XWB. Further research is required to enable design and manufacture at high rates and to further optimise the strengths of the material. The NCC will help advance that research, further develop composite engineering capabilities within the UK, and continue to keep the South West and the UK in a leadership role within composites."

Marcus Bryson, Chief Executive Officer, GKN Aerospace, said: "GKN is committed to the National Composites Strategy and to this new National Composites Centre to be located in the South West.

"The Composites Centre will be a key facility in enabling UK manufacturing to develop new composite material applications across a wide range of sectors and will extend expertise in an area that is a critical skill for the UK's manufacturing future. GKN sees it as an important element of our involvement in future global aerospace programmes - and as we look to expand our expertise into other sectors."

Ric Parker, Director of Research & Technology at Rolls-Royce said: "Rolls-Royce is delighted to be a partner in the National Composites Centre. This is a great endorsement for the aerospace cluster in the southwest and will help support future technology requirements. Our investment is part of our ongoing commitment to working across industry and academia on key areas of research and development."