19th May 2026
Polar Technology, an Oxfordshire-based engineering and manufacturing company, and Independent Forgings and Alloys Ltd (IFA), a die forging company based in Sheffield, are combining their technical expertise and industry experience to provide a market-ready, lightweight solution for the Aerospace and Defence industries, as well as an integrated supply chain.
The route of Polar and IFA’s collaboration is a shared majority investor, ensuring that their hybrid composite-metallic gears are a one-stop, turnkey product, simplifying supply chain complexity and mitigating risk for customers.
IFA are an established supplier of closed die gears and forged rings, with proven pedigree on some major existing Aerospace and Defence programmes. They have expanded and enhanced their facilities, with significant recent investment in new state-of-the-art ring mills, closed die presses and automation.
Polar Technology complement IFA’s pedigree and experience with innovative and enabling composite technology. Furthermore, Polar have developed a unique mechanical interface that removes reliance on adhesives. The hybrid gears offer tuneable stiffness and reduced inertia, and weight savings of up to 40% compared to a purely metallic equivalent.
This balance of high strength and low weight is particularly valuable in applications where reducing rotating mass improves efficiency and dynamic performance, without compromising on durability. This includes aircraft accessory gearboxes, UAV propulsion systems, landing gear deployment and missile fin actuation.
Speaking on the collaboration, Daniel Chilcott, Business Development Director at Polar Technology said “This is an exciting opportunity to partner with IFA, and combine our respective capabilities to provide an enabling, turnkey solution. We look forward to developing this partnership further.”
