In a major achievement for the UAE’s advanced manufacturing sector, Strata Syensqo Advanced Materials (SSAM) has successfully produced large-scale carbon fibre prepreg materials at its facility in Al Ain. These high-performance materials are widely used in aircraft structures and other advanced industries worldwide.

The announcement was made during the fifth edition of the Make it in the Emirates forum.

SSAM is a joint venture between Strata Manufacturing PJSC and Belgium-based Syensqo. The company confirmed that the newly produced prepreg rolls will be used to manufacture test components for Boeing’s 777X aircraft programme under a long-term supply agreement with Boeing.

Sara Abdulla Al Memari, Acting CEO of Strata, said advanced materials are becoming a key part of the company’s industrial strategy. She added that Strata continues to expand its production capabilities in line with the UAE’s National Strategy for Industry and Advanced Technology and the goals of the Make it in the Emirates initiative.

According to Khaled Saif Al Nuaimi, Engineering and Maintenance Manager at Strata Syensqo, the Al Ain facility is the first of its kind in the Middle East. The plant is designed to manufacture different grades of prepreg materials based on customer requirements and production processes.

The production process includes five major stages. It starts with creating industrial resin under pressure and high temperatures. The resin is then coated onto paper sheets and stored in low-temperature conditions. In the next stage, carbon fibres are placed between resin-coated layers under heat and pressure to create carbon fibre prepreg material.

The material is later cut into customer-specific sizes before final packaging and cold storage to maintain quality before shipment.

Al Nuaimi said all products undergo strict quality testing at SSAM laboratories in Al Ain to ensure they meet international standards. He also highlighted the strong role of Emirati talent in the project, with skilled UAE professionals working across engineering, production, maintenance, and quality departments.

These teams received specialised training at facilities in Germany and the United Kingdom to help transfer technical knowledge and strengthen local expertise in advanced manufacturing.

The strong participation of national companies at the Make it in the Emirates forum reflects the UAE’s rapid progress in advanced materials and aerospace manufacturing. Industry experts say these developments are helping strengthen global supply chains while supporting Abu Dhabi’s vision of becoming a globally competitive industrial hub.