PRF Composite Materials has announced the opening of its fourth manufacturing facility in August 2021, completing an investment and expansion programme of approaching £6 million, and increasing manufacturing and R&D capacity and capability. The UK-based company is a leading manufacturer of high-performance materials for the advanced composites industry.

The state-of-the-art, purpose-built 14,700 square feet manufacturing site brings material processing for kitting into a single, controlled environment, increasing manufacturing efficiency and helping PRF to minimise the impact of excessive price increases seen across the industry, the company said in a press release.

The new facility increases PRF’s total factory space to 40,000 square feet and will make space in its other sites for further R&D and manufacturing expansion. In 2020 and 2021, the team have been busy investing and improving in R&D, with a complete upgrade of test equipment in both the chemical and material testing laboratories, thereby opening the door for new product development and technologies.

The company has also increased freezer storage space to 735m3 and installed an additional CNC machine and a third impregnation line. With sustainability in mind, the new site has been built with eco-efficient fixtures and fittings, including a PV system which generates 29,965 kw of electricity a year, saving 16,676kg of carbon dioxide.

“Completing this significant expansion and investment into both capacity and technology will ensure that PRF can meet and exceed market and customer needs for the future, with industry-leading, innovative product development and efficient manufacturing. PRF will continue to invest in R&D, capacity expansion, and sustainability; working with our customers and supply chain with environmental needs in mind to contribute to a better future,” head of operations at the company, Dave Ellson said.