Top 10 CompositesWorld plant tours

Sources (clockwise) | Teijin Carbon America, Spirit AeroSystems, MRAS and Airbus

Year-round CW editors and contributing writers curate and deliver composites-focused content in ways that aim to inform, educate and build collaboration amongst industry players, enabling continuous innovation and knowledge-seeking.

One of CW’s more popular article series are Plant Tours in which editors share highlights of their visit to that company’s facility/facilities including site history, capacity, equipment, manufacturing operations and parts in process. Below are the 10 most popular plant tour articles published between 2023-2025, followed by three key highlights from each:

Collins Aerospace, Riverside, Calif., U.S. and Almere, Netherlands

Long history and expertise in composites. Collins Aerospace has a well- established history in composites manufacturing, leveraging decades of experience to produce advanced aerospace components.

Acquisition of Dutch Thermoplastic Components (DTC). The acquisition of DTC has significantly enhanced Collins Aerospace's capabilities in thermoplastic composites (TPC), positioning the company for further growth and innovation.

Roadmap for TPC growth. The plant tour highlights how both facilities are playing critical roles in developing and scaling production to meet industry demands for lightweight, sustainable aircraft components.

Hexagon Purus, Kassel, Germany

Fully automated Industry 4.0 production line. The Hexagon Purus facility in Kassel features a state-of-the-art, fully automated production line adhering to Industry 4.0 standards, specifically designed for manufacturing hydrogen pressure vessels.

Focus on efficiency and versatility. The plant is engineered to maximize efficiency and versatility within a small footprint, allowing for adaptable and scalable production processes that cater to the growing demand for sustainable composite solutions in hydrogen storage.

Commitment to sustainable composites production. Hexagon Purus emphasizes next-generation, sustainable manufacturing practices at Kassel, aligning with global efforts.

Airbus, Illescas, Spain

Highly automated composites processes. The Airbus Illescas facility is equipped with state-of-the-art automated manufacturing processes for producing composite components, specifically focusing on the A350 lower wing cover and Section 19 components.

Production ramp-ups. The facility is actively working toward increasing production rates to meet growing demand. This includes scaling up operations to support current aircraft programs and preparing for future demands in the aerospace sector.

Preparation for next-gen aircraft. Illescas is not only focused on current projects but is also gearing up for the development and integration of composite technologies for next-generation aircraft, ensuring they remain at the forefront of innovation in aerospace manufacturing.

Spirit AeroSystems, Belfast, Northern Ireland, U.K.

Purpose-built facility for composite wings. The Spirit AeroSystems facility in Belfast is specifically designed to manufacture composite wings for the Airbus A220, applying advanced technologies to meet the demands of modern aerospace production.

Advanced RTI tech. The plant employs resin transfer infusion (RTI) as a key manufacturing process, enabling the production of high-quality, lightweight composite structures with improved efficiency and performance.

Preparation for future programs. The facility is positioning itself to adapt to evolving industry needs and new aircraft projects.

Editor’s Note: This tour was originally published in 2023. In late 2025, Airbus announced the completion of its acquisition of certain Spirit AeroSystems assets, including A220 wing manufacturing in Belfast. This site has been renamed Airbus Belfast.

FACC AG, Jakovlje, Croatia

Aircraft Interiors Center of Excellence. FACC AG’s Plant 6 in Jakovlje, Croatia, serves as the company’s dedicated Aircraft Interiors Center of Excellence, playing a pivotal role in the production of lightweight composite components for cabin interiors of commercial aircraft and business jets.

Honed in on production, flexibility. The facility is designed to support increased production rates while offering flexibility in manufacturing processes, incorporating new composite technologies to meet diverse customer needs and adapt to market demands.

Future growth commitment. FACC is actively expanding its operations in Jakovlje, with plans to triple production space and significantly grow its workforce.

Teijin Carbon America Inc., Greenwood, S.C., U.S.

Large-capacity carbon fiber line. Teijin’s facility in Greenwood features the company’s largest capacity carbon fiber production line, which was developed in 2018, highlighting its significant role in meeting global demand for high-performance materials.

Room for expansion. The plant is designed with ample space for future growth, enabling Teijin to scale up production and adapt to increasing market needs.

Aerospace- and automotive-focused. The Greenwood facility targets key sectors like aerospace and automotive, producing high-quality carbon fiber materials to support lightweight, durable solutions for advanced applications in these fields.

Brembo, Bergamo, Italy

Pioneer in carbon/carbon (C/C) brake systems. Bremboss facility showcases its leading role in creating high-performance braking solutions for automotive and motorsport applications.

Advancements in design and industrialized production. The plant has made significant strides in both the design and industrialized production of customized C/C brake products.

Meeting high-performance requirements. Brembo emphasizes tailoring their brake systems to satisfy stringent performance standards, catering to elite sectors such as racing and high-end automotive markets where reliability and efficiency are critical.

Middle River Aerostructure Systems, Baltimore, Md., U.S.

Historic Martin Aircraft factory. The Middle River Aerostructure Systems (MRAS) facility is housed in the Martin Aircraft factory, with a legacy of nearly 90 years of aviation industry excellence, evolving from traditional aircraft manufacturing to advanced composite aerostructures.

Digitized automation. The plant is at the forefront of adopting digitized automation technologies, enhancing production efficiency and precision in the manufacturing of complex composite aerostructures like nacelle systems and airframe components.

Sustainable at the forefront. MRAS emphasizes sustainable manufacturing practices, integrating modern technologies and processes to reduce environmental impact while meeting the high demands of engine makers, airplane manufacturers, and aircraft operators.

Aernnova Composites, Toledo and Illescas, Spain

High-rate production with RTM and ATL/AFP. Aernnova Composites’ facilities in Toledo and Illescas, Spain, usee advanced manufacturing technologies to achieve high-rate production of composite components for aerospace applications.

Excellence and innovation. The plants demonstrate Aernnova’s commitment to continuously push the boundaries of composites manufacturing and develop cutting-edge solutions for future airframes.

Leadership in composites, engineering. Aernnova leverages these facilities to support major aerospace programs, showcasing its expertise in delivering high-performance, lightweight structures for industry.

Joby Aviation, Marina, Calif., U.S.

Revolutionizing AAAM. Joby Aviation is at the forefront of the advanced air mobility market, focusing on the development and production of an all-electric, composites-intensive air taxi at its Marina, California facility.

Industrialization of composites manufacturing. The plant is dedicated to industrializing composites manufacturing processes, optimizing production techniques to ensure scalability and efficiency.

Emphasizing sustainable aviation. Joby Aviation leverages lightweight composite materials in its eVTOL design to enhance energy efficiency and reduce environmental impact.