£80m investment aims to decarbonise air transport

Sheffield City Councillors attended the groundbreaking of The Composites at Speed and Scale (COMPASS) research facility, at the University of Sheffield, yesterday (15 November 2023). 

The £80m investment into the COMPASS facility includes a £29.5m grant from the UK Government’s Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) Programme for the latest, state-of-the-art equipment for the broader benefit of aerospace and other industries; and £20m for the building backed by the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA), Sheffield City Council, University of Sheffield and the High Value Manufacturing Catapult.

Cllr Martin Smith, Chair of the Economic Development and Skills Committee at Sheffield City Council, said: “It was fantastic to attend the groundbreaking of COMPASS here at the University of Sheffield AMRC, and celebrate the ambitious plans of the University and Boeing.

“This is a great opportunity to develop new lightweighting technologies for the aerospace industry, not only offering the potential to decarbonise air transport, but is also a brilliant long-term opportunity for the Sheffield economy.

“I’m looking forward to seeing this investment bring jobs and new prospects to the people of Sheffield and across the region.”

Todd Citron, Boeing; Tom Hunt, Sheffield City Council; Maria Laine, Boeing; Oliver Coppard, Mayor of South Yorkshire

Cllr Tom Hunt, Leader of Sheffield City Council, said: “Sheffield is a city on the up, and COMPASS will further position our great city and our great region at the centre of a low emission aerospace cluster.

“The research that will take place here will put us at the forefront of efforts to make the global aviation industry more sustainable.

“I really welcome this investment, which builds on the capabilities of our world-leading innovation district.”

 University of Sheffield press release on COMPASS groundbreaking event.