Hexcel and Wichita State Launch New Aerospace Applications Center

This article is based on an official press release from Hexcel Corporation.

On May 28, 2026, Hexcel Corporation and Wichita State University’s National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR) officially broke ground on the new Hexcel Applications Center. Located at NIAR’s Advanced Technologies Lab for Aerospace Systems (ATLAS) in Wichita, Kansas, the facility is designed to bridge the critical gap between early-stage materials science and practical, large-scale aerospace manufacturing.

According to the official press release, this development establishes a unique “end-to-end” composite manufacturing pathway for aerospace and defense customers. The collaboration links Hexcel’s material innovation operations in Utah with automated processing capabilities in Kansas, culminating in final structural validation in Washington state.

The aviation industry is aggressively shifting toward lightweight materials to reduce aircraft weight, improve fuel efficiency, and meet strict carbon emission standards. As noted in supplementary industry research, this joint venture directly addresses the sector’s pressing need for automated scaling in composite manufacturing, providing a vital testing ground for next-generation aerospace technologies.

The End-to-End Composite Pathway

The new Hexcel Applications Center completes a comprehensive, three-step national development pipeline designed to help aerospace customers move efficiently from concept to manufacturable solutions.

Bridging the Gap from Lab to Factory

As detailed in the company’s announcement, the development pathway begins with early-stage material science, process development, and non-automated composite activities at Hexcel’s Applications Lab in Salt Lake City, Utah. This foundational work will now feed directly into the new Wichita facility.

At the Hexcel Applications Center at NIAR, customers will gain access to a broad range of automated composite manufacturing equipment and processing expertise. Finally, the structural build and validation activities are supported by Hexcel’s Kent, Washington facility, which specializes in producing and evaluating full-scale composite articles.

“By combining Hexcel’s materials science and application development expertise with NIAR’s world‑class automated processing capabilities, we are creating a powerful ecosystem that accelerates innovation and delivers practical, manufacturable solutions for our customers,” said Tom Gentile, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer & President of Hexcel Corporation, in the press release.

Industry Context and the Automation Bottleneck

To understand the significance of the Hexcel Applications Center, it is essential to look at the broader aerospace composites market, which is currently experiencing a massive boom.

Overcoming Manufacturing Hurdles

According to industry estimates cited in our research, the global aerospace composites market was valued between $30.3 billion and $41.6 billion in 2025. Driven by the demand for lighter, more fuel-efficient aircraft, the market is projected to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of roughly 11% to 12%, potentially reaching over $53 billion by 2030 and up to $119 billion by 2035.

However, while carbon fiber-reinforced polymers and other composites are lighter and stronger than traditional aluminum, manufacturing them has historically been highly labor-intensive. The industry is currently pivoting toward Automated Fiber Placement (AFP) and AI-driven manufacturing to speed up production and reduce defects.

The ATLAS facility, launched in 2019, is uniquely positioned to support this pivot. Industry data notes that ATLAS houses a 4×8-meter autoclave,the largest of any university in the world. This allows suppliers to test new materials on industry-scale equipment without making massive capital expenditures.

“The Hexcel Applications Center at NIAR will bring together world‑class expertise, capability, and technology in one collaborative environment,” stated John Tomblin, WSU Executive Vice President of Research and Industry and Defense Programs and NIAR Executive Director. “This collaboration will significantly enhance the resources available to our aerospace and defense customers, enabling them to develop, scale, and validate advanced composite solutions using next generation manufacturing technology.”

Regional Impact and Leadership Ties

Wichita has a century-long history of aviation manufacturing. The groundbreaking of this new center reinforces the city’s modern transition from traditional metal aircraft manufacturing to advanced, automated composite aerospace engineering.

“Wichita has long been a hub for innovation and a leader in global aerospace and defense manufacturing,” said U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran in the company’s release. “The groundbreaking for the new Hexcel Applications Center at Wichita State University is an important milestone that further solidifies Wichita as the Air Capital of the World.”

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We note that the strategic placement of this facility in Wichita is deeply intertwined with Hexcel’s current executive leadership. Tom Gentile, who assumed the role of Hexcel’s CEO and President in May 2024 and became Chairman in December 2024, has profound ties to the region. Prior to joining Hexcel, Gentile served as the President and CEO of Wichita-based Spirit AeroSystems. Furthermore, he has served as an Executive-in-Residence and Executive Advisor to the Dean at WSU’s Barton School of Business.

This personal and professional history provides crucial context for why Hexcel is heavily investing in a partnership with Wichita State University. By leveraging existing regional relationships, Hexcel is not only advancing its manufacturing capabilities but also helping to cultivate a highly skilled talent pipeline for the defense and commercial aviation sectors directly from WSU’s student and researcher base.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Hexcel Applications Center?

It is a newly announced collaborative facility between Hexcel Corporation and Wichita State University’s NIAR, focused on advancing composite materials, automated processing, and aerospace manufacturing innovation.

Where is the new center located?

The center is located at NIAR’s Advanced Technologies Lab for Aerospace Systems (ATLAS) in Wichita, Kansas.

Why is automated composite manufacturing important?

As the aerospace industry shifts to lightweight composite materials to save fuel and reduce emissions, traditional labor-intensive manufacturing methods are creating a bottleneck. Automated manufacturing, such as Automated Fiber Placement (AFP), is required to scale production efficiently and meet growing global demand.

Sources

• Hexcel Corporation Press Release