Ceramics expertise showcased to transatlantic delegation

There may be some cracks appearing in transatlantic trade, but a 50-strong delegation from the United States has visited the region to see Stoke’s ceramics expertise first hand.

Lucideon hosted a fact-finding mission to showcase its materials technology work and the wider strengths of the sector..

The company is a lead partner in the city’s proposed Ceramic Park development, where it plans to set up a National Advanced Sintering Centre to attract global partners providing national and international investment. It is currently working with 10 higher education institutions to bring the centre to the city.

The facility would be joined by the Applied Materials Research, Innovation and Commercialisation Company, which is being supported by Lucideon to fast-track advanced materials and materials processes into commercial products.

Tony Kinsella, chief executive of Lucideon, said: “Lucideon has been at the core of developing the key parts of this important investment for our area and is playing a significant role in engaging Government and industry, both in the UK and overseas, in supporting this campus. This visit from our American partners was a key element of that.”

The American visitors saw Lucideon’s multi-million pound facilities and equipment, which include construction testing labs that have helped deliver a solution to tackle the fall-out from Chernobyl, pharmaceutical labs, and its centre in advanced sintering technology.

The USA is a growth region for Lucideon, which has laboratories and offices in North and South Carolina, and New York State.

Kinsella added: “This has been the biggest international visit we have ever hosted and it was a great opportunity to showcase our expertise and skills, and amplify the message globally.

“Ultimately the visit is an investment in our business and in particular the role of our Stoke-on-Trent headquarters.”