# Project OPTIMA launched for thermoplastic composites manufacturing

CCP Gransden, the University of Sheffield AMRC and Sigmatex launched Project OPTIMA, a 2-year collaborative program to develop intelligent automation for high-rate thermoplastic composite manufacturing for aerospace structures. The project is supported by the ATI SME Program.

- Type: Partnership
- Announced: 2026-11-04
- Where: Newtownards, U.K., United Kingdom
- Status: announced
- Products: thermoplastic composite structures, thermoplastic tapes, woven fabrics
- Sectors: [Aerospace Components](https://endata.com/sectors/aerospace-components.md), [Automation and Robotics](https://endata.com/sectors/automation-robotics.md)

## Companies

- [CCP Gransden](https://endata.com/companies/15718.md)
- [University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre](https://endata.com/companies/15322.md) (partner)
- [Sigmatex](https://endata.com/companies/15323.md) (partner)

## Sources

- [compositesworld.com](https://www.compositesworld.com/news/project-optima-drives-integrated-high-rate-tpc-manufacturing-for-aerostructures), 2026-11-04: "OPTIMA gives us a valuable opportunity to look at thermoplastic composites manufacturing from start to finish, something that is often difficult to achieve within a single project."

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Data from Endata (https://endata.com/). Announcements are summarized from public sources and may be incomplete; check the linked originals.