Agentschap NL, a division of the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs that supports sustainable joint initiatives in developing countries and emerging markets, and the Aerospace Strategy Group France signed an alliance within the program Partners for International Business (PIB). The main focus of this program is to strengthen the market position in France through promotion and the exchange of knowledge in the field of composites and engines.

The goal of aircraft weight reduction is driving the current increased use of advanced exotic materials such as composites, titaniums and Inconels in the aerospace industry. While materials such as these are lighter, yet stronger than those typically used, they each present their own sets of challenges when it comes to machining, more specifically milling and drilling.

Construction on the second phase of the NCC got underway with a turf cutting ceremony attended by the Business Minister Michael Fallon. He was joined by a group of major business leaders and academics who are part of this collaborative project.