What PRF Composite Materials does

PRF Composite Materials (legal name: Plastic Reinforcement Fabrics Ltd) is a UK-based, family-owned manufacturer of high-performance composite materials, founded in 1982 by Robert and Mandy Burnell and headquartered in Poole, Dorset. The company operates four manufacturing sites totalling approximately 40,000 square feet and supplies prepregs, reinforcements, resin systems, mould release products, and CNC kit cutting services to manufacturers in aerospace, motorsport and automotive, marine, renewable energy, sports and leisure, medical, and defence across twelve countries. Revenue is generated through direct enterprise field sales with a quote-based pricing model, supported by a dedicated sales team and just-in-time delivery from on-site freezer storage.

The company's core technology is prepreg manufacturing via both hot-melt and solvent-dip processes, supplemented by an in-house compounding capability for epoxy resin systems. Its product portfolio is anchored by patented Q.tool tooling technology (UK Patent GB2614600), which delivers up to 50% labour and time savings in tool manufacture versus conventional 1:8:1 systems; the RP570 eXpress cure family, which achieves cure cycles as short as 4–5 minutes at 140–160°C; RP5365, a mid-temperature cure system with a one-year out-life at 20°C that removes the need for frozen storage; and REEPREG recycled-carbon prepregs in standard weights of 100, 200, and 300 gsm. Throughput capacity exceeds one million square metres of prepreg per annum, with approximately 100,000 square metres converted into ready-to-use kits annually through dedicated CNC cutting lines, including a new 8m line commissioned in March 2026.

PRF's commercial model is a direct B2B, quote-driven channel targeting qualified manufacturers rather than a self-serve or e-commerce motion. The business has self-funded approximately £6 million of capacity expansion since 2021, opened a fourth manufacturing facility and a Product Development and Innovation Centre, achieved ISO 9001:2015 and EN ISO 14001:2015 certifications, and built industry visibility through repeated shortlistings at the Composites UK Industry Awards, headline sponsorship of Advanced Engineering, and regular exhibiting at JEC World.

Name

PRF Composite Materials

Legal name

Plastic Reinforcement Fabrics Ltd

Website

https://prfcomposites.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1982

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

PRF Composite Materials is a UK family-owned manufacturer of high-performance composite prepregs, reinforcements, resin systems, mould release products, and CNC kit cutting services, supplying aerospace, motorsport, marine, renewable energy, sports, and other sectors across twelve countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Advanced Composite Materials Manufacturing

NAICS

Plastics Product Manufacturing (3261)

SIC

Plastics Products, Nec (3089)

akta.pro primary industry

Composite Structures & Layup Manufacturing (IMABAEAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

FRP/GRP & Composite Materials (Resins, Fibers, Core Materials) (IMAJAKAC)

Keywords

• Advanced composite materials
• Prepreg manufacturing
• Carbon fibre prepreg
• Epoxy resin systems
• Composite kit cutting

Headquarters

HQ city

Poole

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Prepreg Materials: Manufacture and supply of high-performance prepreg materials including component prepregs (RP542-1, RP542-4, RP549, REEPREG, RP570 variants, RP5365), tooling prepregs (Q.tool, RP800), and unidirectional prepregs.
2. Advanced Reinforcements: Supply of woven fabrics, non-woven fabrics, braided reinforcements, and specialty materials including carbon, glass, aramid, Dyneema, and hybrid fibres.
3. Epoxy Resin Systems: Class-leading range of epoxy resin systems approved for aerospace applications including low viscosity systems for RTM and resin infusion, high temperature systems, gelcoats, and adhesives.
4. Mould Release Technologies: Qiicote mould release products including hard-wearing release films, internal mould release agents, and silicone shield products.
5. Kit Cutting Services: Precision CNC cutting of prepreg and dry materials with approximately 100,000 sqm converted into kits annually. Services include nesting for optimum material usage, lot traceability, labelling, and just-in-time delivery.
6. Resin Films and Adhesives: Supply of primer films, adhesive films including RFA570 eXpress cure adhesive film for core bonding applications.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

PRF Composite Materials manufactures and supplies high-performance prepreg materials and complementary composite products (reinforcements, epoxy resin systems, mould release agents, resin films and adhesives) for advanced composite manufacturers. The company also provides precision CNC kit cutting services converting prepreg and dry materials into ready-to-use kits for customers across aerospace, motorsport, marine, renewable energy, sports, medical, and defence industries. Manufacturing is performed in-house at four UK facilities using hot melt and solvent dip processes, backed by R&D laboratories and just-in-time delivery.

Product overview

PRF Composite Materials is a leading manufacturer and supplier of high-performance composite materials for the advanced composites industry, operating since 1982. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio centered on prepreg materials (carbon, glass, and aramid fibre prepregs) and complementary products. The core product lines include: Component Prepreg systems (RP542-1, RP542-4, RP549, RP570 series, RP5365); Tooling Prepreg systems (RP800, Q.tool, Q.tool recycled); REEPREG recycled carbon prepreg materials; Unidirectional Prepreg; and Resin Films & Adhesives (RF Primer, RFA570). Supporting these are reinforcements (woven/non-woven fabrics, braids, tapes), epoxy resin systems, and Qiicote mould release products. Manufacturing services include prepreg manufacturing (hot melt and solvent dip processes), kit cutting (CNC cutting), and R&D with full testing capabilities. The company operates from 4 manufacturing sites across Dorset, UK.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• REEPREG: Carbon prepreg material made with recycled chopped carbon mat, designed for improved sustainability and circularity.
• Q.tool
• RP570 Series
• RP800

Products and services

• Component Prepreg High-performance prepreg materials for structural and visual quality composite components, including RP542-1 (toughened), RP542-4 (intermediately toughened), RP549 (highly toughened), and RP570 eXpress cure series. Designed for aerospace, motorsport, marine, and other advanced composite manufacturers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 50% labour/time savings with Q.tool vs conventional 1:8:1 tooling systems
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor, supporting and notable.

• Composites UKcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPRF is a member of Composites UK, the trade association for companies working in the UK's fibre-reinforced polymer composite supply chain. PRF is also a member of the Composites UK Sustainability Sub-group, demonstrating commitment to industry sustainability initiatives.
• National Composites Centre (NCC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPRF became SME Affiliate member of NCC from August 1st, 2024. The NCC is a world-leading innovation organisation that transforms cutting-edge research and technology into industrial impact. Partnership focuses on collaboration and sharing advancements in sustainable materials and processing techniques.
• Dorset ChamberminorOthersPRF is a member of Dorset Chamber, looking forward to benefits including training opportunities for employees and networking opportunities within the wider Dorset business community.
• Sharp & TappinsupportingTechnology or IntegrationPRF invested in Compcut 200 machine from Sharp & Tappin for improved manufacturing and testing equipment. The Compcut delivers excellent cut quality and high accuracy, enabling R&D team to test straight from the machine and speeding up testing process.
• ThrustWSHnotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerPRF is material sponsor to ThrustWSH project aiming to set a new water speed record of 400+mph. PRF supplies prepreg materials for fully instrumented data collection model test programme, concept models for educational display, and the C6 manned vessel. Led by Richard Noble OBE and Lorne Campbell.
• UBRacingsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPRF is Gold partner with UBRacing university racing team, supplying innovative prepreg materials from their range. Partnership supports student engineering education and development.
• Pentaxia LimitednotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Pentaxia Limited showcasing PRF's eXpress cure prepreg systems and HVM capabilities. Sales Director Vincent Fawcett presented on HVM in advanced composite manufacturing with Pentaxia. Video collaboration showcasing combined capabilities.
• Green Tech Automotive AC CarssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerTested Q.tool recycled moulds with excellent results. After several cycles, tools showed excellent dimensional stability and no degradation in tool surface. Testing confirms quality and longevity of Q.tool recycled product.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• SGL Carbon: German carbon and graphite specialist offering carbon fibers, composite materials, and components for automotive, aerospace, wind, and industrial markets. Comparable in upstream composite materials, with much broader downstream integration.
• Mitsubishi Chemical Carbon Fiber & Composites: Division of Mitsubishi Chemical producing carbon fibers, prepregs, and intermediate composite materials for aerospace, automotive, and industrial applications. Overlaps with PRF on prepreg manufacturing; much larger vertically integrated chemical conglomerate.
• Solvay Composite Materials (Syensqo): Global chemical/materials major with broad composite materials portfolio including prepregs, resins, and adhesives across aerospace, automotive, and industrial. Much broader portfolio and customer base than PRF, but overlapping in carbon-epoxy prepregs and structural adhesives.
• Hexcel: US-listed tier-1 composite materials manufacturer (carbon fiber, prepregs, honeycomb, adhesives) dominating commercial aerospace and increasingly wind/automotive. Sets the qualification, scale, and pricing benchmark PRF must compete against on aerospace programs.

Direct peers

• Toray Advanced Composites: Subsidiary of Toray Industries producing high-performance prepregs, adhesives, and composite materials for aerospace, motorsport, and industrial markets. Directly comparable in product mix, with broader global footprint and deeper aerospace qualification.
• Gurit: Swiss-based composite materials manufacturer serving wind energy, aerospace, marine, and industrial markets with prepregs, core materials, and resin systems. Closest direct comparable to PRF's vertically integrated prepreg + reinforcement + resin + kit-cutting model.
• Park Aerospace: US-based manufacturer of composite materials (prepregs, adhesives, lightning strike protection) focused on aerospace and defense. Closely comparable in prepreg-plus-adhesive model and aerospace/FST-grade product positioning, with US-centric footprint.
• Axiom Materials: US-based composite materials manufacturer specializing in high-temperature prepregs, film adhesives, and surfacing films for aerospace, space, and industrial markets. Directly comparable in prepreg + adhesive film product mix; smaller scale and similar specialty positioning.
• Ventec International Group: Taiwan-headquartered PCB laminate and specialty prepreg manufacturer with growing presence in high-performance composites. Adjacent prepreg technology base and specialty-market focus make it a partial peer in materials manufacturing and kit supply.

Emerging players

• Scott Bader: UK-based independent manufacturer of specialty resins, gelcoats, adhesives, and composites serving marine, wind, and industrial markets. Comparable geographic roots in UK composites manufacturing and overlapping resin systems portfolio, though smaller prepreg footprint.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/prf-composite-materials

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about PRF Composite Materials