BCC team help put the spotlight on advanced ceramics

Members of the BCC team were delighted to have been invited to speak at the two-day Advanced Materials and Ceramics UK exhibition, with topics up for discussion ranging from decarbonising manufacturing to skills.Thousands of people attended the expo at the NEC, in Birmingham, which also provided networking opportunities. BCC Technical Director Dr Andrew McDermott and Policy Manager Rachel Timmins were both invited to join discussions on stage as the focus firmly fell on advanced ceramics.Andrew was asked to chair a roundtable discussion entitled, Making Materials Manufacturing Sustainable, along with Ben Walsh (Innovate UK), Thomas Werninghaus (KYOCERA UK), Raymond Gibbs (University of Manchester and AEH Innovative Hydrogel Ltd) and Rob Munro (Institute for Manufacturing (IfM), University of Cambridge).Andrew said: “Achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 will be challenging for the ceramics industry and its supply chain. However, the sector is committed to decarbonising in line with this ambition, providing this does not come at a cost to the sector’s international competitiveness, jobs or be achieved through the offshoring of emissions elsewhere.“The panel session was extremely wide ranging, with the audience posing a number of very challenging and inciteful questions. Topics discussed included: the need to develop innovative decarbonisation technologies, such as electrification, hydrogen, carbon capture and bioenergy; solutions the ceramic sector already provides for the zero-carbon economy, including highly durable products with low lifecycle carbon footprints, critical components for renewable power generation, storage and distribution, and long-life thermal insulation for high temperature processes; and the need to deliver net zero by decarbonising UK manufacturing activities and not simply displacing them with imports and moving the problem abroad.“The panel certainly provided plenty of insights on sustainability and it was wonderful to see so many people wanting to gather, network, discuss the industry and how we can develop and take things forward.”Rachel was invited to contribute to a panel discussion, chaired by Andy Wynn from TTIP Global, entitled Building Better Investment, Innovation and Skills Partnerships. The other panellists were Dr Nessima Kaabeche (Confidence Coach for Women in STEM), Sarah Chapman (Technical Manager, 3M and Chair, 3M Technical Women’s Leadership Forum for EMEA), and Sarah Connolly (Innovation Lead at Innovate UK).Rachel said: “It was my first time at the Advanced Materials and Ceramics UK event, so it was a total pleasure to be invited and asked to join this panel.“Skill shortages are a real struggle for our industry, and we have been hearing this, together with recruitment worries, from many members as our new Chief Executive Rob Flello continues to tour our member sites.“The panel conversation was wide ranging and covered what skills are missing in the industry, including often overlooked soft skills, what work is being done with academia, and attracting talent. The panel took a number of thoughtful questions from the audience including on immigration policy and keeping skilled people in this country, gender, and role models. I really enjoyed hearing the other panellists’ thoughts and experiences on the issues facing the industry.“Many thanks to the panel chairman, Andy Wynn, for taking the time to hold a number of pre-meetings with myself and the other panellists to help us prepare.“There were also plenty of networking opportunities, and as well as speaking to a number of members, I also introduced myself and the British Ceramic Confederation to a number of other manufacturers, which I will follow up.”BCC Chief Executive Rob Flello also attended the exhibition, meeting up with members, International Syalons (Newcastle) Ltd, Kennametal, Mantec Technical Ceramics, Morgan Advanced Materials, PCL Ceramics and Therser UK.He said: “It was wonderful to have the opportunity to network once again in person, to have meaningful conversations about the future of advanced ceramics, what the industry needs and how we can support our members.”