The $70 million federal investment was designed to support automotive, defense, aerospace, motorsports, advanced materials and energy-related sectors, according to a release from the Indiana Economic Development Corporation.
Composite materials are created by combining different structural compounds of various materials to make a desired product.
“Composite materials are revolutionizing the manufacturing sector, especially in Indiana,” Indiana Secretary of Commerce Victor Smith said in a release.
Indiana is to receive $15 million from the investment, according to the release.
Businesses that are using composite materials for their products in the state include Dallara IndyCar Factory in Speedway, Ind., IDI Composites International in Noblesville, Ind., and Toyota Indiana in Princeton, Ind.
With the money, Purdue University will launch the Design, Modeling and Simulation Enabling Technology Center, one of five research centers created as part of the initiative, according to the release. Its research will focus on knowledge-transfer efforts.
“The advanced composite market is poised for dramatic growth,” Purdue President Mitch Daniels said in the release.
Emily Ernsberger
