New report sets out the scale of opportunity for the Midlands in advanced ceramics

Date posted: March 4, 2021
Share
pieces of ceramic, bolts and paper

A blueprint setting out the compelling opportunities for the Midlands Engine to position the region as a world leader in advanced ceramics has been launched.

Businesses and academics from across our region have collaborated on the Advanced Ceramics Sector Profile, commissioned by the Midlands Industrial Ceramics Group (MICG) in partnership with the Midlands Engine Observatory.

Highlighting the global opportunities presented in this rapidly growing industry, the 28-page document sets out the fundamental importance of advanced ceramics to the performance of high-tech sectors worldwide. It also gives an insight into the wealth of knowledge and key strengths already in place across the Midlands, and how we are uniquely placed to tap into significant growth opportunities globally.

The Advanced Ceramics Sector Profile has been compiled by City-REDI and builds on an industrial consultation which they completed with SQW in 2020 and which revealed that no other UK region has the equivalent mass of specialist suppliers, end-users and researchers in advanced ceramics.

Sir John Peace, Chairman, Midlands Engine, said:

The Midlands, and in particular North Staffordshire, has always been synonymous with excellence and innovation in ceramics.

As industry, across a range of sectors including aviation, medical technologies and space, increasingly turns to the unique properties of these new or advanced ceramics to enhance performance and durability, the Midlands has a leading role to play in accelerating the growth of this cutting-edge technology, both nationally and globally.

With members from blue-chip companies and SMEs – including Rolls-Royce, JCB, Morgan Advanced Materials and Lucideon, as well as the universities of Birmingham, Leicester and Loughborough – MICG is an industry-led group collaborating to tackle the barriers to expansion the industry faces. It is also looking to achieve Government support to help the Midlands tap into global opportunities.

Ian Edmonds, of Rolls-Royce and chair of MICG said:

Advanced ceramics are key to the performance of many of our products.

By working collaboratively with industry and universities, we expect to break boundaries with advanced ceramics technology which will boost not only our competitiveness but also that of the Midlands.

The Advanced Ceramics Sector Profile is available on the Midlands Industrial Ceramics Group website.

For the latest on our region, subscribe to Midlands Matters, the official newsletter of the Midlands Engine.
Share

Keep Updated

Latest News & Events

Liberty-Fabrics-image-2-c-Liberty-881x585px

Latest News

Mar 28 2024

Funding secured to develop AI toolkit for universities teaching art and design

Funding of £10,000 for an innovative new research project that will help universities integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) into their art and design education programmes has been secured by the Nottingham School of Art & Design at Nottingham Trent University in partnership with Chelsea College of Arts (University of the Arts London), Liberty Fabrics, and Norwich University of the Arts.

Read more
QEB March 24 Graphic for news story20

Digital

Mar 22 2024

Digital and technology clusters and skills in the Midlands discussed in the latest Quarterly Economic Briefing
Read more
Sir John Peace and others gather for the ground breaking ceremony at Horiba MIRA.

Economic Opportunities

Mar 27 2024

Construction begins to create new innovation facilities at MIRA Technology Park

In a groundbreaking ceremony attended by Midlands Engine Chairman Sir John Peace, Plot 9 at MIRA Technology Park officially began construction, serving as the inaugural building in this transformative stage.

Read more
An electric vehicle charging

Subscribe to Midlands Matters, the newsletter of the Midlands Engine