New "composite" aircraft components produced at Bombardier's expanded west Belfast plant have entered service, the company has announced.

The company is investing £8 million (€11.75 million) at its Dunmurry plant in west Belfast in a new high-technology manufacturing facility to produce the new aircraft parts for wing structures.

Bombardier believes the new composite products, produced in Belfast using new technology called Resin Transfer Moulding, offer significant benefits over traditional metal ones and have begun fitting them to its regional aircraft. The components are lighter and more durable and require less maintenance than those they replace.

The announcement was made at the Paris Air Show by Minister for Enterprise Nigel Dodds.

Michael Ryan, the company's vice-president in Belfast, said: "Composites, with their advantages over metal, are playing an increasingly important part in future aircraft design."

The new Dunmurry plant would allow the company to set new standards in manufacture and strengthen the strategic importance of Northern Ireland Bombardier operation, he said.

Mr Dodds said the development was important for Northern Ireland's universities and for the region's research capabilities. "In today's highly competitive international aerospace environment, it is essential to continually invest in new technologies and skills to retain a competitive advantage," he said.

"This new facility, supported by Invest NI, is yet another example of Bombardier leading the way in research and development in the aerospace sector. It clearly demonstrates how innovation can be turned into commercial opportunity. The manufacturing capability builds up on the company's existing links with Northern Ireland's universities, particularly the Composites Research Centre at the University of Ulster. This will help to strengthen Northern Ireland's knowledge infrastructure."

Bombardier's announcement comes a day after it announced an agreement with China Aviation Industry Corp I, the largest Chinese plane-maker, to jointly develop mid-size jetliners.