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

March sees the launch of a new online community for anyone interested in materials.

Colour Standards developed by Lucideon are helping to ensure that the colours captured by the Perseverance mission to Mars are recorded to pinpoint accuracy.

Lucideon is set to benefit from seven-figure growth from the free trade agreement between the UK and Japan.

Lucideon, along with consortium partners including Vesuvius UK Ltd, Glass Technology Services Ltd, the University of Sheffield and Knowles (UK) Limited is receiving funding as part of the Transforming Foundation Industries programme for the 'Hybrid Sintering for Decarbonisation and Productivity in Manufacturing' project.

• Department for International Trade (DIT) steps up engagement with British industry and farmers as UK trade negotiations intensify
• Eleven new trade advisory groups, covering a range of key sectors, established to provide knowledge and experience
• Insight and expertise of top business people being used to inform UK negotiating position and deliver deals that benefit the whole country.

Government funding provided through UK Research and Innovation's flagship 'Strength in Places Fund' has helped unlock plans to put the Midlands on a unique footing as a global centre for advanced technical ceramics.

Lucideon's pioneering work in the nuclear sector has taken a significant step forward under a new partnership arrangement.