Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster and UK Business Secretary Vince Cable today officially opened The Northern Ireland Advanced Composites & Engineering Centre (NIACE) on Airport Road, Belfast.

Funding to build the £6 million centre was announced in February last year and included financing from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) through the Strategic Investment Fund, Invest Northern Ireland and Bombardier Aerospace.

Queen's University and the University of Ulster co-own and operate the 3,700 sq m facility which was inspired by the work of MATRIX, in particular from its Advanced Materials and Advanced Engineering sub-panels.

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Ms Foster said: "This new industry-led centre is about maximising the benefits of the knowledge and skills that already exist in advanced material and composite technologies in Northern Ireland, and enhancing those capabilities to ensure that we stay at the forefront of the global advanced engineering sector. The official opening marks an important step in promoting the concept of collaboration that will help shape advanced materials engineering research in the coming years, and I am confident that this is the beginning of a very fruitful venture for all involved."

Mr Cable said: "The Northern Ireland Advanced Composites & Engineering Centre is the latest addition to a valuable network of composites research facilities throughout the UK. Each of these centres has its own area of expertise but a common objective to bring together leading academics with dynamic companies and help them with the design and rapid manufacture of high-quality composite products."

(CD/GK)