A blueprint setting out the compelling opportunities for the Midlands to position itself as a world leader in advanced ceramics has been launched.
Businesses and academics from across the 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 the 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 the region is uniquely placed to tap into the significant growth opportunities globally.
The report has been compiled by City-REDI and builds on an industrial consultation which revealed that no other UK region has the equivalent mass of advanced ceramics specialist suppliers, end users and researchers.
Sir John Peace, Chairman of the 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 across 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 the global opportunities.
MICG chair Ian Edmonds, of Rolls-Royce, 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.
Professor Simon Collinson, director of City-REDI, added: "Our combined research, which involved in-depth consultations with more than 60 industrialist and academics, clearly demonstrates the scale of the opportunity for advanced ceramics and how the Midlands is well placed to benefit from this.
"There is a clear consensus this is a significant opportunity for the UK and that the Midlands is the best placed to drive this forward."
