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gurit inaugurates advanced composites R&D center in Tianjin, China
Gurit has inaugurated its Advanced Composites R&D Center in Tianjin, China, marking a key step in its global innovation strategy.
On 17 November, Gurit officially inaugurated its Advanced Composites Research & Development Center in the Tianjin Economic-Technological Development Area (TEDA). The unveiling ceremony, held at Baoxin Tower, marks a significant milestone in Gurit’s global strategy, strengthening its ‘R&D-to-production’ capabilities and reaffirming its long-term commitment to the Chinese market.
Set to be fully operational by the end of 2025, the new center will drive the development of next-generation, high-performance composite technologies. It complements Gurit’s existing R&D centers and composite testing hubs in the UK, India and New Zealand, creating a more integrated global innovation network.
The Tianjin center will focus primarily on the research, development, analysis, and testing of PET materials. Its close proximity to Gurit’s Tianjin PET manufacturing facility will streamline new product introduction, shorten development cycles, and enable faster responses to innovation needs in the wind energy sector and beyond.
During the inauguration, Gurit and TEDA representatives discussed opportunities to jointly build advanced industrial ecosystems and address key technological challenges, supporting the region’s transition toward high-end, intelligent manufacturing.
The Shearwater catamaran is one of the UK’s most enduring and technically progressive multihull classes. First designed in 1956, the Shearwater celebrates its 70th year as a class, from cold-moulded timber to today’s full carbon, foam-cored epoxy structures.
That evolution continues with the latest Shearwater racing catamaran built by Zest Boatworks, under the direction of owner and boatbuilder Pete Jary. Built using advanced composite materials from Gurit, the boat represents the cutting edge of Shearwater design while remaining firmly rooted in the class’s rich heritage.
The unfinished boat will be on display at the RYA Dinghy and Watersports Show 2026 on 21-22 February, offering a rare opportunity to see the structure and materials behind a modern high-performance racing catamaran.
