A method of manufacturing a component from a composite material, the composite material comprising a matrix and a plurality of reinforcement elements (CNTs), the method comprising: forming a series of layers of the composite material, each layer being formed on top of a previous layer; and applying an electromagnetic field to the composite material before the next layer is formed on top of it, the electromagnetic field causing at least some of the reinforcement elements to rotate. An apparatus comprising a build platform, a system for forming a series of layers of composite materials on the build platform and an electrode for applying an electromagnetic field is also disclosed. A composite powder comprising CNTs and a matrix and the method of fabrication are disclosed as a second aspect of the application.