What Airtech Advanced Materials UK does

Airtech Advanced Materials UK Ltd. is the UK operating division of Airtech Advanced Materials Group, a privately held, family-owned manufacturer founded in 1973 by William 'Bill' Dahlgren in California. The UK entity operates from a 145,000 sq ft (13,500 m²) facility in Chadderton, Oldham, Lancashire, employing more than 100 staff across manufacturing, distribution, and a dedicated Kitting & Custom Engineered Products division. Originally acquired in 1996 as Tygavac, the UK business was rebranded under the Airtech name in November 2022 to consolidate its identity within the global group. The parent group operates six manufacturing/distribution centers spanning the USA, Luxembourg, UK, China, and India, with the UK division serving as the European manufacturing and kitting hub.

The company manufactures vacuum bagging films (up to 16 m wide, seamless), release films, pressure sensitive tapes, sealant tapes, breathers and bleeders, vacuum valves, and the Toolfusion® out-of-autoclave composite tooling prepreg system, serving prepreg/autoclave, resin infusion, and wet lay-up processes up to 799°F (426°C). Alongside consumable materials, Airtech has built a Large-Scale Additive Manufacturing (LSAM) capability branded Print-Tech®, leveraging proprietary Dahltram® thermoplastic composite resins (I-350CF carbon-fiber PEI, T-100GF recycled-grade, C-250GF, and others) qualified for 500+ autoclave cycles. Dahltram resins have been intentionally validated across the major LFAM hardware platforms — CEAD Flexbot, Caracol HERON AM, KraussMaffei powerPrint, Thermwood LSAM, and Titan Robotics Atlas — making Airtech a hardware-agnostic resin and tooling supplier rather than a printer OEM.

Airtech serves composite manufacturers across aerospace (the primary vertical, with named relationships including BAE Systems and a FACC AG Excellent Supplier Gold Award), wind energy, marine, high-performance automotive, motorsport (BBi Autosport, Brumos Racing), printed circuit board, and solar energy. The go-to-market combines direct enterprise sales via regional offices, an online catalogue and e-store, and channel partnerships (Aero Consultants for UK coverage, NEXX Technologies / Mitsubishi Gas Chemical for Enduredge Max prepreg distribution globally). The group is privately held with no external funding disclosed, is ISO 9001 / AS9100 certified, and is led by the Dahlgren family with Jeff Dahlgren as President and CEO.

Name

Airtech Advanced Materials UK

Legal name

Airtech Advanced Materials UK Ltd.

Website

https://airtech-amg.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1973

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Airtech Advanced Materials UK is the UK division of Airtech Advanced Materials Group, manufacturing vacuum bagging films, composite tooling consumables, and Dahltram® thermoplastic resins for large-format additive manufacturing. The company serves aerospace, wind, marine, automotive, and motorsport composite manufacturers globally from its Chadderton, Oldham facility.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Composite Materials Manufacturing

NAICS

Plastics Packaging Film and Sheet (including Laminated) Manufacturing (326112), Resin and Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing (32521)

akta.pro primary industry

Resin Handling & Vat/Recoater Components (Vats, Films, Blades, Pumps) (IMAAAIAD)

Keywords

• Vacuum bagging materials
• Composite tooling materials
• Large format additive manufacturing
• Thermoplastic composite resins
• Prepreg autoclave consumables

Headquarters

HQ city

Chadderton - Oldham

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations

Revenue model

1. Vacuum Bagging Materials: Manufacture and sale of vacuum bagging films, release films, pressure sensitive tapes, mold releases, peel plies, breathers, bleeders, and sealant tapes. Core product line for composite manufacturing processes.
2. Composite Tooling Materials: Tooling prepregs, resins, carbon and glass reinforcements, rubber products, and pressure pads for composite tooling applications.
3. Print-Tech 3D Printing Services: Large scale additive manufacturing service for producing 3D printed composite tooling, molds, and fixtures using proprietary Dahltram resins.
4. Distribution of Third-Party Products: Global distribution partner for NEXX Technologies Enduredge Max modified epoxy prepreg fabrics and unidirectional tapes; distribution of complementary products from partners like Aero Consultants.
5. Custom Products and Kitting: Custom engineered products division providing kitting services and bespoke solutions tailored to customer specifications.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Airtech Advanced Materials UK manufactures and distributes a complete range of vacuum bagging and composite tooling materials for prepreg/autoclave, resin infusion, and wet lay-up processes up to 799°F (426°C), including bagging films up to 16m wide, release films, pressure sensitive tapes, sealant tapes, breathers, bleeders, peel plies, vacuum valves, hoses, and rubber products. The division also offers custom products and kitting services, large-scale additive manufacturing (LSAM) tooling through its Print-Tech service using proprietary Dahltram resins, and distributes third-party products such as NEXX Technologies Enduredge Max prepreg fabrics.

Product overview

Airtech Advanced Materials UK is a division of Airtech Advanced Materials Group, the largest manufacturer of vacuum bagging and composite tooling materials for prepreg/autoclave, resin infusion, and wet lay-up processes up to 799°F (426°C). The product portfolio includes vacuum bagging films, release films, pressure sensitive tapes, sealant tapes, breathers & bleeders, vacuum valves & hoses, rubber, tooling materials, and resin infusion products. The company also offers large scale additive manufacturing through Print-Tech® service using Dahltram® resins and CEAD Flexbot systems at facilities in the USA and Luxembourg. Key branded products include Toolfusion® (out-of-autoclave composite tooling), Heat-Tech® Z-1 (flexible heating blankets), OOA Beta Prepreg system (benzoxazine formulation for autoclave and out-of-autoclave processing), and specialized products like Wrightlease 4, Thermalimide RCBS, Vac Saver HT, Corehold P-HA, Stretch Flow P 2000, A4000 LFST, Combo-Tech, and Airweave® UHT breathers. Services include custom products and kitting, technical support, and training. The company serves aerospace, wind energy, marine, automotive, motorsport, printed circuit board, and solar energy sectors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Print-Tech Large Scale 3D Printing Full-service large-scale additive manufacturing tool production service using 40ft x 10ft (12m x 3m) machines at Springfield, TN (USA) and Differdange, Luxembourg. Produces tooling from concept to shop floor faster than conventional methods using proprietary Dahltram resins. Targeted at composite manufacturers needing rapid tooling.
• Dahltram Resins Specialty formulated thermoplastic composite resins for pellet-fed large-scale 3D printing, designed for lower CTE and robust service life at low or high temperatures including autoclave use. Includes I-350CF (high-temperature carbon fiber reinforced PEI), T-100GF (recycled grade with fiberglass), and C-250GF variants. Validated for 500+ autoclave cycles without degradation.
• Toolfusion Out-of-Autoclave Composite Tooling Trademarked out-of-autoclave composite tooling system for producing composite molds. Enables tooling fabrication without autoclave processing, reducing capital and cycle time requirements.
• Heat-Tech Z-1 Flexible Heating Blankets Single-zone mobile heating element system consisting of a resistive heating control unit and flexible silicone heating blanket with integrated temperature sensors. Process can be controlled over WiFi with an app using any mobile device. Designed for composite repair and manufacture.
• Wrightlease 4 Extruded fluoropolymer film coated with silicone pressure sensitive adhesive in a highly visible orange color with high elongation and tensile strength for complex contour surfaces. Used in vacuum bagging applications.
• OOA Beta Prepreg System Benzoxazine formulation allowing autoclave and out-of-autoclave processing with long-term storage at room temperature, low resin shrinkage, and high glass transition temperature. Includes TMBG-3 (light weight surface ply), TMBG-6 (medium weight caul), and TMBG-12 (heavy weight post-machined) variants.
• Vacuum Bagging Films Vacuum bagging films available up to 16m (52.5ft) wide without seams, reducing time, cost, and leakage risk for large bag applications. Used for prepreg/autoclave, resin infusion, and wet lay-up processes.
• Vac Saver HT Vacuum Valve One-way valve to protect vacuum bagged parts against vacuum loss when multiple parts are connected to a single vacuum source. Used in composite manufacturing vacuum bagging setups.
• Corehold P-HA Core Holding Film Core holding film designed to hold honeycomb core and other core materials during machining, featuring silicone-free synthetic rubber adhesive for strong fixation on vacuum tables.
• Stretch Flow P 2000 Breather Knitted polyester breather with excellent stretch properties enabling conformance to complex contour surfaces for even vacuum bag pressure application.
• Vac Valve 429 SS HTR High Temperature Vacuum Valve Stainless steel vacuum valve designed for high temperature cures up to 900°F (482°C) with graphite seals for direct connection to vacuum hoses.
• Thermalimide RCBS High Temperature Release Film High performance release film treated both sides for cure temperatures up to 405°C, ideal for thermoplastic materials forming and high temperature applications.
• Airweave UHT 300PGL and 450PGL Ultra High Temperature Breathers Premium non-woven blended fiberglass breathers for ultra high temperature applications up to 800°F (427°C), a safer alternative to woven fiberglass breathers.
• Combo-Tech Combination Products Bonded vacuum bagging materials combining various materials to form integrated products, reducing touch labor while increasing productivity and improving part quality.
• Filmcote 1524 Mold Release Film Engineered film developed as replacement for release liquids on mold tool surfaces; remains on part surface after demold providing protection from damage or contamination.
• Combination Products and Custom Kitting Custom products and kitting services combining various vacuum bagging materials into optimized packages tailored to customer specifications for composite manufacturing processes.
• NEXX Technologies Enduredge Max Prepreg Distribution Distribution of Mitsubishi Gas Chemical's NEXX Technologies Enduredge Max modified epoxy prepreg fabrics and unidirectional tapes globally (USA, China, Europe, UK), suitable for aerospace, space, radomes, and defense applications.

Quantifiable outcome

• 500+ autoclave cycles without degradation for Dahltram tooling resins
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• KimyacoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 8 April 2025Acquisition of Kimya's high-performance filament portfolio including technical filament materials, development and production capabilities, validation equipment, and intellectual property. Integration expands Airtech's offering for large-format additive manufacturing and high-performance thermoplastic applications. Production to begin at Airtech Europe in Luxembourg.
• KraussMaffeicoreTechnology or Integration · 3 December 2024Qualification of Dahltram Resins for integration with KraussMaffei's powerPrint Large-Format Additive Manufacturing platforms. Partnership unveiled at Formnext 2024. KraussMaffei brings expertise in injection molding and extrusion with gantry-based powerPrint system for industrial-scale production.
• Ascent AerospacecoreTechnology or Integration · 9 September 2024Exclusive supply agreement where Airtech supports Ascent's additive manufacturing tooling business in commercial and defense aerospace sectors. Airtech provides advanced technical and business development support. Ascent commits to exclusive use of Airtech resin products for large-format additive manufacturing tooling.
• Aero ConsultantscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 14 August 2024Strategic UK partnership establishing new facility in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire for enhanced support and services to UK composites market. New site features state-of-the-art equipment for storing and distributing full product range. Complements existing Airtech Chadderton site and enhances product distribution in the UK.
• Additive Engineering Solutions (AES)coreTechnology or Integration · 11 March 2024Exclusive supply agreement where Airtech provides comprehensive support to AES in additive manufacturing business opportunities and technical areas. AES commits to exclusive use of Airtech products in its LFAM projects. Collaboration extends to design practices, material characterization, tooling interaction, and new material development.
• CaracolcoreTechnology or Integration · 5 March 2024Strategic partnership qualifying Airtech's Dahltram Resins for integration with Caracol's HERON AM Large-Format Additive Manufacturing platforms globally. HERON AM is a modular polymer and composite pellet extrusion robotic 3D printer. Partnership supports Caracol's efforts to offer Dahltram resins to their customers worldwide.
• CEADcoreTechnology or Integration · 2 November 2023Integration of CEAD's Flexbot robot-based large format 3D printing systems into Airtech's additive manufacturing portfolio. Flexbot offers 3x1m build volume with CNC milling and Dynamic Flow Control. Technology resides in Airtech's Springfield, TN Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence for developing innovative resins and exploring new applications.
• Brumos RacingminorOthers · 22 June 2022Technical partnership providing 3D printed molds and composite production parts for Brumos Racing's Porsche GT2 RS Clubsport for Pikes Peak 100th running. Airtech teamed with BBi Autosport to produce aerodynamic enhancements using Dahltram printing resins and Print-Tech 3D printing service.
• NEXX Technologies (Mitsubishi Gas Chemical)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 24 March 2022Airtech appointed as global distribution partner for NEXX Technologies' Enduredge Max lines of modified epoxy prepreg fabrics and unidirectional tapes. Products offer extended out time, no freezer storage requirements, and performance suitable for aerospace, space, radomes, and defense applications.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• SHD Composites: UK-based composites materials manufacturer (formed from the Richmond Aerovac vacuum bagging business) supplying prepregs, vacuum bagging consumables, and tooling materials. SHD competes directly with Airtech in the UK and European vacuum bagging and composite tooling markets.
• Diatex: French manufacturer of vacuum bagging films, release films, breather/bleeder materials, and ancillary composite consumables. Diatex is the closest direct peer to Airtech's vacuum bagging product line and competes for the same European aerospace and industrial composites customers.
• Gurit: Swiss specialty composites company producing composite tooling materials, prepregs, and core materials for wind energy, marine, and aerospace applications. Gurit overlaps directly with Airtech's composite tooling materials and serves many of the same high-performance composites customers.

Broad incumbents

• Hexcel: Leading global manufacturer of advanced composite materials (carbon fiber, prepregs, reinforcements, adhesives) for aerospace and industrial markets. Hexcel overlaps with Airtech's aerospace tooling and composite materials business but operates at significantly larger scale and broader scope.
• Toray Advanced Composites: Global composite materials manufacturer (formerly TenCate Advanced Composites) serving aerospace, automotive, and industrial markets with prepregs, resins, and adhesives. Toray Advanced Composites competes with Airtech for OEM tooling and structural composites programs, particularly in aerospace and motorsport.
• Solvay: Global specialty chemicals company whose Solvay Composite Materials division supplies prepregs, resins, and adhesives to aerospace, automotive, and industrial customers. Solvay is a much larger incumbent competing for the same aerospace and industrial composites wallet as Airtech, but with a broader materials portfolio.
• Stratasys: Global leader in polymer 3D printing systems serving industrial, aerospace, and automotive customers. Stratasys competes with Airtech in the broader industrial additive manufacturing ecosystem and offers competing materials and printing services for composite tooling and production applications.
• Henkel: Global adhesives and composites manufacturer supplying structural adhesives, surface treatments, and composite materials to aerospace, automotive, and industrial customers. Henkel's composites business overlaps with Airtech's tooling consumables and composite processing materials portfolio.

Emerging players

• BigRep: German manufacturer of large-format industrial 3D printers and a materials portfolio for industrial applications. BigRep competes in the same LFAM space where Airtech's Dahltram resins and Print-Tech service operate, though BigRep primarily sells printers rather than contract tooling services.
• Markforged: US-based industrial 3D printing company offering composite and metal additive manufacturing systems (including carbon fiber-reinforced printers). Markforged competes in the industrial AM space that Airtech's Print-Tech service and Dahltram resin line target, though at smaller build volumes than LSAM.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/AirtechOfficial
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/airtech-advanced-materials-uk

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Airtech Advanced Materials UK