UNIMAT™

Aligned Nonwoven Solutions

Directional performance with greater design freedom

UNIMAT is the range of highly aligned, discontinuous fibre materials created by James Cropper's VECTIS technology. These materials combine directional performance and mechanical integrity with conformability and handling ease. This makes UNIMAT an ideal alternative to UD tapes for demanding composite applications, enabling greater design freedom, manufacturing efficiency, and sustainability.

Fibre Type

Carbon (including recycled and PIW), glass, polyester or blends of these

Properties

Electrical conductivity, good mechanical properties, high temperature resistance, high thermal stability, high quality resin rich surface, corrosion resistance and electrostatic dissipation

Areal Weights

20 - 200 g/m²

Typical Applications

Semi-structural reinforcements, surfacing veils for composites, EMI shielding of composite enclosures, resistive heating, and static control in assembly areas.

ENABLING COMPOSITE CIRCULARITY

Sustainability without Compromise

The UNIMAT product range includes both standard and IM7‑modulus feedstocks, with the capability to incorporate recycled and post industrial waste (PIW) carbon fibre - combining high performance, sustainability, and aerospace‑grade scalability without the cost, complexity, or environmental burden of traditional UD materials.

Do you have waste fibre? Work with us

Features

Sustainability

ABILITY TO INCORPORATE BOTH RECYCLED AND PIW INTO UNIMAT MEANS THAT MANUFACTURERS HAVE A PATHWAY TO TURNING WASTE INTO HIGH PERFORMANCE COMPOSITES

HIGH ALIGNMENT

>95% FIBRE ALIGNMENT FOR PREDICTABLE PERFORMANCE

CONFORMABILITY

EXCELLENT CONFORMABILITY FOR EFFICIENT PROCESSING

EASE OF USE

EXCELLENT HANDLING AND STABILITY DURING LAY-UP

COMPATIBILITY WITH A WIDE RANGE OF RESIN SYSTEMS & PROCESSES

HIGH QUALITY

MANUFACTURED TO AEROSPACE AS9100 QUALITY STANDARDS

PRODUCT RANGE

AREAL WEIGHTS FROM 20-200 g/m²

BROAD RANGE OF FIBRE TYPES, INCLUDING PIW & RECYCLED CARBON

INDUSTRIAL FORMAT

PRODUCTION WIDTH OF UP TO 1200mm

COMPOSITE PROCESSING

Designed for Integration

UNIMAT integrates seamlessly with established composite manufacturing processes, reducing cycle times, minimising scrap, and accelerating time-to-market across high-throughput composite platforms.

The materials deliver directional performance where it matters, while remaining flexible in forming, stable and easy to handle. UNIMAT is compatible with all common composite manufacturing techniques, including RTM, prepreg, stamping, forming, and additive processes.

With a clear roadmap to exceed 50% fibre volume fraction (fvf) when incorporated into a composite, UNIMAT supports both current applications and future requirements.

Markets

Aircraft Interiors

Recycled aligned carbon fibre and thermoplastic blends for semi- structural components, supporting circular manufacturing while maintaining mechanical integrity. Engineered for regulated, safety-critical environments.

Bodywork

An aligned carbon fibre solution that helps to meet recycled content and cost targets and is compatible with thermoplastic systems and high- throughput production such as stamping.

Bicycles, Skis, Rackets, hockey sticks and more...

UNIMAT provides an environmentally conscious alternative to virgin UD carbon fibre tape, delivering sustainable performance without compromise.

Internal and external components

Recycled aligned carbon fibre and thermoplastic blends for semi- structural components, supporting circular manufacturing while maintaining mechanical integrity. Engineered for regulated, safety-critical environments.

Built on 180 years of fibre innovation

VECTIS™

The technology platform behind UNIMAT

VECTIS transforms fibre alignment from a concept into a production reality for the composites sector.
Designed with performance-critical industries in mind, it delivers precision fibre alignment and material consistency at industrial scale.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT VECTIS

Get in touch to begin your partnership with James Cropper

Through collaboration, we unlock a new world of material possiblities

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