Latest News | 29 July 2021
Over £18m secured to make region global centre for advanced ceramics
A group of blue-chip companies and universities, including Rolls-Royce, has secured more than £18 million of government cash to help put the region on the map as a global centre for advanced ceramics.
The Midlands Industrial Ceramics Group, which is chaired by Rolls-Royce’s Ian Edmonds has been awarded £18.27 million through UK Research and Innovation’s flagship Strength in Places Fund (SIPF).
The money will be used to create a world-leading industrial and academic research and development programme over the next four years, creating a cluster of new businesses in the Midlands and strengthening the supply chain in the region, resulting in thousands of new jobs.
The SIPF funding, combined with partner investment and the creation of new business opportunities, will together make the programme a £42.1 million project.
Formed by some of the area’s largest businesses and universities, the MICG was launched last year to deliver a world-leading approach to advanced ceramics.
Membership of the MICG is made up of blue-chip companies and SMEs including Rolls-Royce, JCB, Morgan Advanced Materials and Lucideon – as well as the universities of Birmingham, Leicester and Loughborough.
Mr Edmonds said: “This is great news for the Midlands. Advanced ceramics are often unseen but vital components of jet engines, electronics, medical devices, car batteries, other energy technologies and many more manufactured products.
“They allow products to operate at higher temperatures, in more challenging environments and can last longer than plastic or metal equivalents.
“Globally, the advanced ceramics sector is projected to be worth £143 billion by 2023 – and the outcome of this funding means the Midlands is well-placed to be part of it.”
