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

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.